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

Abstract: Ozone resistant O2/N2 gas separation membranes comprise a polymer membrane and an ozone reacting component, such as an antioxidant. The antioxidant may be included in the support layer of a composite membrane or included in the entire structure of an asymmetric membrane. The antioxidants in the separation membrane reduce oxidation and deterioration of the actual separation layer of the membrane.

Abstract: An air separation system includes an ejector for controlling a pressure differential across an air separation module and a valve for controlling air flow through the ejector such that airflow through the ejector is discontinued when not required to maintain the desired pressure differential across the air separation module.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved integrated process for the removal of heavy hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and water from a raw natural gas feed stream. More specifically, the integrated process of the present invention comprises a three step process involving the adsorption of heavy hydrocarbons and water on an adsorbent bed selective for the same, a subsequent aqueous lean amine treatment for the absorptive removal of acid gases, such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, and an adsorptive removal of water. The process of the present invention results in a highly purified natural gas product stream.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a ceramic member with excellent balance between oxygen ion conductivity and endurance (resistance to cracking and the like), an oxygen ion permeation module and a chemical reactor such as an oxygen separator, using such a ceramic member. The ceramic member with oxygen ion conductivity in accordance with the present invention has a perovskite-type crystal structure and a composition represented by the general formula: (Ln1?xMx)(Ti1?yFey)O3 (where Ln represents at least one element selected from lanthanoids, and M represents at least one element selected from the group containing Sr, Ca, and Ba, 0<x<1, 0.4?y<1, x+y?1). The oxygen ion permeation module composed by employing such a ceramic member can be used as a structural component of an oxygen separator, an oxidation reactor (for example, a reactor for partial oxidation of hydrocarbons), and the like.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatuses that utilize microchannel technology and, more specifically in exemplary form, producing hydrogen peroxide using microchannel technology. An exemplary process for producing hydrogen peroxide comprises flowing feed streams into intimate fluid communication with one another within a process microchannel to form a reactant mixture stream comprising a hydrogen source and an oxygen source such as, without limitation, hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. Thereafter, a catalyst is contacted by the reactant mixture and is operative to convert a majority of the reactant mixture to hydrogen peroxide that is withdrawn via an egressing product stream. During the hydrogen peroxide chemical reaction, exothermic energy is generated. This exothermic energy is absorbed by the fluid within the microchannel as well as the microchannel itself.

Abstract: An improved casting substrate is provided for use in a composite membrane for use as a fluid filtration medium. The composite membrane has good adhesion between the casting substrate and the microporous membrane while maintaining high permeability. The casting substrate comprises a single spunbond layer or a multiple spunbond layers formed of thermoplastic fibers, optionally comprising at least one meltblown layer. The casting substrate allows the membrane casting solution to penetrate the casting substrate uniformly to a controlled depth without penetrating through the entire thickness of the substrate. The casting substrate has good uniformity of mean pore size, basis weight, thickness and surface roughness.

Abstract: An inert gas generating system for generating inert gas on a vehicle having a fuel tank and a fuel tank vent. The system includes an inlet for receiving a flow of gas having a nitrogen component and an oxygen component from a gas source, a heat exchanger downstream from the inlet and in fluid communication with the inlet for cooling gas received from the inlet, and a gas separation module downstream from the heat exchanger and in fluid communication with the heat exchanger for separating gas received from the heat exchanger into a nitrogen-enriched gas flow and an oxygen-enriched gas flow. The gas separation module is adapted to deliver nitrogen-enriched gas from the nitrogen-enriched gas flow to the fuel tank without delivering the nitrogen-enriched gas through the fuel tank vent. The gas separation module is also adapted to deliver nitrogen-enriched gas from the nitrogen-enriched gas flow to the fuel tank vent.

Abstract: A membrane air dryer includes a housing with an air inlet, an air outlet, a sweep air inlet and a sweep air outlet; and a membrane separator having surfaces extending between and having an inlet and an outlet respectively connected to the air inlet and the air outlet. A sweep air passage in the housing extends between first and second ends of the membrane along and includes surfaces of the membrane. The sweep air passage has an inlet adjacent the air outlet and has an outlet adjacent the air inlet and connected to the sweep air outlet. A volume is concentric to the membrane separator, has an inlet connected to the outlet of the membrane separator and has an outlet connected to the sweep air inlet. The filter may be mounted in a reservoir with the membrane separator extending into the reservoir.

Abstract: Nanowires, films, and membranes comprising ordered porous manganese oxide-based octahedral molecular sieves, and methods of making, are disclosed. A single crystal ultra-long nanowire includes an ordered porous manganese oxide-based octahedral molecular sieve, and has an average length greater than about 10 micrometers and an average diameter of about 5 nanometers to about 100 nanometers. A film comprises a microporous network comprising a plurality of single crystal nanowires in the form of a layer, wherein a plurality of layers is stacked on a surface of a substrate, wherein the nanowires of each layer are substantially axially aligned. A free standing membrane comprises a microporous network comprising a plurality of single crystal nanowires in the form of a layer, wherein a plurality of layers is aggregately stacked, and wherein the nanowires of each layer are substantially axially aligned.

Abstract: A parallel-plate diffusion gas dehumidifier has a treatment zone having at least one water-permeable membrane. The gas dehumidifier includes an untreated gas inlet, a treatment zone bounded by water-permeable membranes, a support structure for the membranes, access to a source of vacuum, and a dehumidified gas outlet. The cross section of the treatment zone may be provided in various shapes, for example, rectangular. The gas dehumidifier inlet and outlet include flow transitions that minimize the obstruction of particles passing through the dehumidifier. The dehumidifier may be used in particle sampling systems to dehumidify the sample gas prior to introducing the sample gas to a mass measuring device and mass flow controller. Methods of operating the gas dehumidifier and the particle sampling system are also provided.

Abstract: An oxygen enrichment apparatus includes a main body including an oxygen enriching unit and a pump unit for supplying oxygen-enriched air obtained by the oxygen enriching unit to a predetermined place; a ventilating unit for suctioning exterior air into the main body and discharging the exterior air out of the main body after supplying the exterior air into the oxygen enriching unit; and a control unit for controlling the pump unit and the ventilating unit. The ventilating unit and the control unit are installed in the main body. The main body further includes therein a secondary battery serving as a power supply for supplying a power to the pump unit, the ventilating unit and the control unit.

Abstract: Method for gas purification comprising (a) obtaining a feed gas stream containing one or more contaminants selected from the group consisting of volatile metal oxy-hydroxides, volatile metal oxides, and volatile silicon hydroxide; (b) contacting the feed gas stream with a reactive solid material in a guard bed and reacting at least a portion of the contaminants with the reactive solid material to form a solid reaction product in the guard bed; and (c) withdrawing from the guard bed a purified gas stream.

Abstract: A biofilter for use in treating contaminated gasses is provided with a container having a layer of particulate rubber, which serves as a filter media. One preferred source of the rubber particulate is recycled tires. Smaller containers may be provided with apertures in their bottom walls and a cover for the top of the container, so that the containers can be incorporated within municipal sewage systems as manhole covers. Another embodiment floats the layer of rubber particulate on a layer of water or sludge. Various systems are provided for the delivery of gaseous, liquid or solid waste to the container. The rubber particulate provides a platform for the growth and maintenance of a microbial ecosystem that substantially treats the contaminated gases emanating from the waste.

Abstract: A gas transmitter having selective gas permeable surfaces includes a support disc that is provided with a plurality of through openings. The support disc is made from a semiconductor material. The transmitter further includes a membrane covering the openings in the support disc thereby forming the selective gas permeable surfaces and further controls the temperature of the membrane.

Abstract: A method for operating one or more electrolysis cells (43, 154, 243) for production of aluminium, the cell comprising inert or substantially inert anodes, where an oxygen containing gas (21, 126, 221) evolved by the electrolysis process in the cell is gathered and removed therefrom. The oxygen containing gas is introduced into a combustion chamber (38, 149, 238) where it is reacted with a carbon containing gas (7, 116, 209) in a combustion process. Emisions of CO2 and NOx can be reduced.

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

Abstract: Hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems, hydrogen purification membranes, hydrogen purification devices, and fuel processing and fuel cell systems that include hydrogen purification devices. In some embodiments, the fuel processing systems and the hydrogen purification membranes include at least one metal membrane, which is at least substantially comprised of a palladium alloy. In some embodiments, the membrane is formed from an alloy of palladium and gold and which contains trace amounts of carbon, silicon, and/or oxygen. In some embodiments, the membranes form part of a hydrogen purification device that includes an enclosure containing a separation assembly, which is adapted to receive a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas and to produce a stream that contains pure or at least substantially pure hydrogen gas therefrom.

Abstract: A gas separation device for separating a reactive gas from a gaseous mixture comprising porous anode and cathode electrodes separated by an ionic membrane, the anode being impregnated with an absorbent compound or solvent; the cathode being impregnated with an electrically conductive liquid; a power supply for supplying electric charge to the electrodes; an inlet for a gaseous mixture, the inlet communicating with a chamber adjacent the cathode; and an outlet for gas from the chamber so that gas passing from the inlet to the outlet contacts the cathode; wherein reactive gas is absorbed from the gaseous mixture by the absorbent compound and retained in the device and wherein the retained gas subsequently desorbed from the absorbent compound; wherein the absorption, desorption or both are promoted by application of electric charge to the electrodes.

Abstract: A device for conducting protons at a temperature below 550° C. includes a LAMOX ceramic body characterized by an alpha crystalline structure.

Abstract: Hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems, hydrogen purification membranes, hydrogen purification devices, and fuel processing and fuel cell systems that include hydrogen purification devices. In some embodiments, the fuel processing systems and the hydrogen purification membranes include a metal membrane, which is at least substantially comprised of palladium or a palladium alloy. In some embodiments, the membrane contains trace amounts of carbon, silicon, and/or oxygen. In some embodiments, the membranes form part of a hydrogen purification device that includes an enclosure containing a separation assembly, which is adapted to receive a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas and to produce a stream that contains pure or at least substantially pure hydrogen gas therefrom. In some embodiments, the membrane(s) and/or purification device forms a portion of a fuel processor, and in some embodiments, the membrane(s) and/or purification device forms a portion of a fuel processing or fuel cell system.

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

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

Abstract: A humidifier and a method for producing it can reduce gas leakage through inside the surfaces of humidifying membranes or through interfaces between the humidifying membranes and separators. The humidifier includes water permeable humidifying membranes and gas separators each having one or two channels opened at least one side in a direction of lamination, through which at least one of a dry gas and a wet gas is caused to flow. A humidifying membrane, a gas separator, a humidifying membrane and a gas separator are repeatedly laminated one over another in this order, or a gas separator, a humidifying membrane and a gas separator are repeatedly laminated one over another in this order. Each gas separator has a frame-shaped portion surrounding the one or two channels, and that portion of each humidifying membrane which, when laminated, faces the frame-shaped portion of a corresponding gas separator is filled with a resin.

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 liquid separator for a respiratory gas sample analyzer includes a closed container having a liquid trap filter chamber integral with the container. The liquid trap filter chamber includes an inlet compartment and an outlet compartment. The inlet compartment is interposed between a sample inlet port and a sample outlet port and includes a gas permeable, liquid impermeable filter element for separating liquid from a gas sample, the liquid separated from the gas sample passing to a collection chamber. The outlet compartment includes a further gas permeable, liquid impermeable trap filter element which is interposed between the collection chamber and a low pressure port, for preventing the flow of liquid through the output compartment to the low pressure port.

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

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

Abstract: An oxygen enrichment apparatus includes an oxygen enriching unit for generating oxygen-enriched air and a discharge unit for discharging the oxygen-enriched air transferred from the suction unit. The oxygen-enriched air generated by the oxygen enriching unit has an oxygen concentration ranging from about 25% to 35%. The apparatus also includes a suction unit for suctioning the oxygen-enriched air from the oxygen enriching unit and a control unit for controlling the operation of the suction unit. The main body is provided with a display unit for indicating a state that the oxygen-enriched air is being discharged out by the discharge unit. The oxygen enriching unit has at least one oxygen enriching membrane for generating the oxygen-enriched air and a condensed water treating unit is installed at an air passage for guiding the oxygen-enriched air from the oxygen enriching unit to the discharge unit via the suction unit.

Abstract: A device and method for preventing ingression of contaminants and moisture and for removing moisture from a fluid reservoir, the device comprising a fluid reservoir for supporting a fluid therein, a fluid reservoir opening for allowing an exchanging of air between an interior of the fluid reservoir and the ambient surrounding, and a membrane-based reservoir dryer located in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, the membrane-based reservoir dryer comprising a source of compressed gas and a membrane dryer for drying the compressed gas to increase the capacity of the compressed gas for absorbing moisture from the fluid in the reservoir.

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: The present invention is directed to an improved integrated process for the removal of heavy hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and water from a raw natural gas feed stream. More specifically, the integrated process of the present invention comprises a three step process involving the adsorption of heavy hydrocarbons and water on an adsorbent bed selective for the same, a subsequent aqueous lean amine treatment for the absorptive removal of acid gases, such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, and an adsorptive removal of water. The process of the present invention results in a highly purified dry natural gas product stream.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy includes a composition defined by the following formula (Ca1-XLX)(Li1-Y-ZMYNiZ)m, wherein the L denotes one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Na, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Sr, Ba, Sc, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu, the M denotes one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, Cd, B, Al, Ga, In, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, Bi, and S, and the mole ratios X, Y, Z, and m respectively satisfy the following 0<X?0.4, 0?Y?0.4, 0.1?Z?0.4, and 1.8?m?2.2.

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

Abstract: According to the present invention there is disclosed a hydrogen-permeable membrane which comprises a ceramic material composed of a nitride of aluminum (Al) and/or silicon (Si), an oxide of aluminum (Al) and/or silicon (Si), or a silicide of a rare earth element, and particles of at least one kind of hydrogen-permeable metal selected from palladium (Pd), niobium (Nb), vanadium (V), tantalum (Ta) and an alloy thereof, dispersed in the ceramic material, wherein a proportion of the hydrogen-permeable metal particles in the hydrogen-permeable membrane is 30 to 70% by mass and a thickness of the membrane is 5 to 1,000 nm.

Abstract: An apparatus for separation or synthesis of process substances is configured with at least two cell stacks, within each of which there is arranged at least one large-area layer for the separation or synthesis and passages are formed for feeding and discharging at least one process substance to or from the at least one layer. To ensure that the ratio of active surface area to total area of the layer is as high as possible yet on the other hand that uniform distribution of at least one process substance over the layer are ensured, at least two passages for a process substance are formed within at least a first cell stack, of which a first passage is used to pass the process substance through the first cell stack to a second cell stack and of which the second passage is used to feed or discharge the process substance to or from the at least one layer in the first cell stack.

Abstract: The present invention relates to iodinated resins. It relates in particular to a process for preparing a polyiodide-resin wherein an anion exchange resin is contacted with a material capable of donating a member absorbable by the resin so as to convert the resin to the polyiodide-resin. ‘The absorbable member is selected from the group consisting of I.sub.2 and polyiodide ion having a valence of ?1. In the process, conversion of the anion exchange resin to the polyiodide-resin is effected at elevated temperate and/or elevated pressure, the elevated temperature being about 100.degree. C. or higher, the elevated pressure being greater than atmospheric pressure. The present invention also relates to a substance comprising an iodine (impregnated) resin as produced by the above process.

Abstract: In a multiphase hydrogen permeation alloy comprising a phase in charge of hydrogen permeation and a phase in charge of hydrogen embrittlement resistance, a structure in which the phase in charge of hydrogen permeability is continuously interconnected and in which more preferably the growth direction of the aforementioned phase in charge of hydrogen permeation lies aligned in the thickness direction of the permeation membrane. As the hydrogen permeation alloy, an Nb—Ti—Co alloy is exemplified, wherein the phase in charge of hydrogen permeability is made of an (Nb, Ti) phase and the aforementioned phase in charge of hydrogen embrittlement resistance is made of a CoTi phase. By virtue of the fact that the growth direction of the phase in charge of hydrogen permeation lies aligned in the thickness direction of the permeation membrane, the hydrogen permeation pass length becomes short to give further improved hydrogen permeation property.

Abstract: Membrane holder for membrane adsorber chromatography comprising a housing body (12) with a reception space for at least one layer of adsorber membranes (22) and at least one first housing cap (34) for closing a first reception space opening, which can be fixed to the housing body (12), a liquid stream being introducible via first liquid guide means (36) through the first housing cap (34) and the first reception opening into the reception opening, so that it passes through the adsorber membranes (22) and flows away through a second reception space opening. The first housing cap (34) can be screwed as a first union nut onto the housing body (12) and a first brace element (24), which can be clamped between the first cap (34) and the housing body (12) via a flange (32) extending beyond the first reception space opening, can be fixed leaktightly in a basket-like insert (14) with a liquid-tight wall and a perforated bottom (18), which is used to receive the adsorber membranes (22).

Abstract: Provided is a novel system and apparatus for producing primary standard gas mixtures. The system includes providing a gas permeation device having a constant diffusion rate into a temperature controlled enclosure; connecting a supply source of a component to the permeation device; routing the component from the gas permeation device to a product container until a desired amount of said component in the product container is reached; and supplying a balance of purified gas to the product container to obtain a known concentration of component in the primary standard gas mixture.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are taught for selectively oxidizing carbon monoxide in a source of gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen. A gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen is fed into a membrane reactor (10, 50, 60) capable of selectively absorbing the carbon monoxide. Preferably, the reactor comprises a substantially defect-free zeolite membrane (4) having at one metal that acts as an oxidation catalyst. The zeolite membrane (4) may be supported on a porous ceramic support (2, 52, 61) and the average pore diameter is preferably between about 0.3 nm and about 1.0 nm. Moreover, the substantially defect-free zeolite membrane (4) preferably has a thickness between about 0.1 micron and about 50.0 microns. The at least one metal is preferably capable of selectively oxidizing the carbon monoxide and is preferably platinum. Preferably, the temperature of reactor housing is maintained at about 200-300° C.

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: An automatic shut off circuit for controlling the flow of a gas through a gas separation system is disclosed. The gas separation system includes a gas separation module for separating nitrogen from air, and a non-electric automatic shut off circuit for controlling the delivery of air to the gas separation module. The non-electric automatic shut off circuit includes a pneumatically operated valve that enables or inhibits a flow of air to the gas separation module, and a pneumatic pressure switch operatively coupled to the pneumatically operated valve, wherein the pneumatic pressure switch monitors a pressure indicative of a demand for nitrogen, and the pneumatic pressure switch commands the pneumatically operated valve to enable or inhibit the flow of air based on the monitored pressure.

Abstract: A contactor for effecting passage through a membrane from a first fluid a second fluid is provided. A cylindrical pleated membrane cartridge is positioned within a housing having a first inlet and a first outlet from a first fluid and at lest a second outlet for a second fluid. At least one baffle is positioned within a first flow path for the first fluid.

Abstract: A gas separator, a method for producing the gas separator, and a method for separating gases based on a property of inelasticity of the gases. The inventive gas separator is a permeable porous material for separating a mixture of gases by selectable pore size exclusion, comprising pores formed with at least one nanostructured compound. In other words, the inventive porous material can be used to separate a mixture of gases based upon the different working diameter of each of the gases. By selecting specific nanostructured compounds, the porous material can be tailored to contain pores of a predetermined size which allow gases having a working diameter smaller than the size of the pores to pass through the material while preventing the passage of gases having a working diameter greater than the size of the pores.

Abstract: In order to synthesize semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPNs) with molecular sieve characteristics, polyetherimide/bismaleimide (PEI/BMI) chromophore composites were made through sol-gel technique. A tunable and compatible chemical structure with fine morphology was obtained through in situ controlled sol-gel polymerization, crosslinking, chemical modification and membrane fabrication. The novel semi-IPN, synthesized and assembled by using ethanol as polar protic modifier and pore former, had a superior structure and morphology suitable for making gas separation membranes. These semi-IPN membranes gave fifteen times higher gas flux without significant decrease in their gas permselectivity than membranes prepared from pure PEL The chemical structures of these novel semi-IPNs were characterized by using FTIR, XPS and SEM.

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

Abstract: Thermally tuned lasers may use a resistive thermal device (RTD), sensitive to hydrogen, within a hermetic enclosure. Over time, hydrogen trapped within the enclosure or out gassed from other components within the enclosure may degrade the accuracy of the RTD. A vent comprising a hydrogen selective permeable membrane, such as palladium or a palladium alloy, provided in the enclosure vents hydrogen to mitigate damage to the RTD.

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