Abstract: A bubble trap for separating and collecting air and bubbles from a high flow rate stream of infusate includes multiple flow chambers to collect air, a sensor support mounted to one of the chambers, an air vent disposed in one of the chambers, and a valve in fluid communication with the chambers to control the flow of infusate therethrough.

Abstract: A device for use in a fluid system includes a fuel channel for receiving fuel having dissolved gas therein. A gas permeable membrane supported by a porous support, the gas permeable membrane in communication with the fuel channel. A gas-removal channel adjacent the gas permeable membrane for receiving the dissolved gas from the fuel through the gas permeable membrane and the porous support.

Abstract: A system (10) for monitoring an operating condition of an electrostatic precipitator rapper system (12) includes a rapper (24) configured to mechanically actuate to disengage pollutants from a plate of the electrostatic precipitator (12). The system also includes a sensor (38, 40) configured to obtain and transmit signals representative of vibration, motion, or current behavior of the rapper; and a processor (52) configured to receive the signals from the sensor and to detect whether the rapper is mechanically actuated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a deaerator 2 including: a liquid flow space; reduced-pressure spaces 25A, 25B, and 25C; gas permeable films 21A, 21B, and 21C that separate these spaces; and a pump for discharging gas from within the reduced-pressure spaces 25A, 25B, and 25C to the outside, and to a liquid chromatograph equipped with the deaerator 2. The deaerator 2 further includes gas partial pressure variation suppression means 23A, 23B, 23C, 25Ab, 25Bb, 25Cb, 29A, 29B, and 29C for suppressing variations in partial pressures of a specific gas in the reduced-pressure spaces 25A, 25B, and 25C.

Abstract: There is provided a protective filter 1 for an extracorporeal circulation circuit pressure monitor, having a dialysis device side housing 2, an extracorporeal circulation circuit side housing 3, and a hydrophobic filter 4 held between both the housings, which allows passage of a gas but does not allow passage of a liquid, characterized in that a plurality of ribs 27 and 38 capable of supporting the hydrophobic filter 4 are respectively provided in both housings, and a protective member 5 for preventing direct contact between the ribs 38 and the hydrophobic filter 4 is interposed between the ribs 38 provided in the extracorporeal circulation circuit side housing 3 and the hydrophobic filter 4.

Abstract: A fuel system for an energy conversion device includes a deoxygenator system with a multitude of flow impingement elements which are interleaved to provide a fuel channel with intricate two-dimensional flow characteristics. The flow impingement elements break up the boundary layers and enhance the transport of oxygen from the core of the of the fuel flow within the fuel channel to the oxygen permeable membrane surfaces by directing the fuel flow in a direction normal to the oxygen permeable membrane. The rapid mixing of the relatively rich oxygen core of the fuel with the relatively oxygen-poor flow near the oxygen permeable membrane enhances the overall removal rate of oxygen from the fuel. Because this process can be accomplished in fuel channels of relatively larger flow areas while maintaining laminar flow, the pressure drop sustained is relatively low.

Abstract: Porous polymeric membranes formed from a hydrophobic polymer, such as halar having membrane pores of a size sufficient to permit gas and/or vapor permeation 0.05 ?m to 5 ?m without permitting the flow of a hydrophilic fluid across the membrane. Pore distribution is uniform and porosity is high, in some cases up to 80%. Membranes may be in the form of a flay sheet or hollow fibre for example and can be used in a variety of applications such as stripping HF gas, degassing of caustic solution, chlorine gas/alkaline filtration, degassing tap water to remove dissolved chlorine. Processes used to make such membranes can be carried out using relatively non toxic solvents such as citric acid ethyl ester or glycerol triacetate.

Abstract: An oil gas separation membrane combines a gas permeable yet oil and temperature resistant bulk polymer membrane such as poly(tetrafluoroethylene) and poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropylene); a porous metal support such as sintered metal frit disk made with stainless steel, bronze or nickel; and an highly gas permeable adhesive that bonds firmly the bulk polymer membrane and the metal frit surface together. The adhesive is either a homogenous polymer that has desirable gas permeability, or a coalescent porous polymer particulates network. A gas sensor employing the oil gas separation membrane for detecting and monitoring fault gases of oil filled electrical equipment requires no mechanical wearing or moving part such as pump and valve and the gas sensor is operated normally under various temperature and pressure conditions.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for capturing CO2 using a solvent are provided. A gas that includes carbon dioxide may be mixed with a solvent that is operable to absorb at least a portion of the carbon dioxide from the gas. The solvent containing the carbon dioxide may be provided to at least one removal system operable to remove at least a portion of the liquid contained in the solvent. The solvent output by the removal system may be stripped to extract at least a portion of the carbon dioxide from the solvent.

Abstract: A method for decreasing the dissolved oxygen content in water used for extracting oil from rocks includes directing water and gas into a housing containing at least one hydrophobic membrane such that the water contacts only a first surface of the membrane and the gas contacts only a second surface of the membrane. The pressure of the gas is decreased thereby causing the oxygen in the water to pass through the first side of the membrane to the second side of the membrane and mix with the gas. A system for decreasing the dissolved oxygen content in water used for extracting oil from rocks includes a plurality of membrane modules. Each module contains at least one hydrophobic membrane. A water supply inlet and a gas supply inlet direct water over the first and second surface respectively of each of the hydrophobic membranes. A water outlet and a gas outlet direct water and gas respectively out of the plurality of membrane modules.

Abstract: Compressed natural gas is produced by a compressor, located near a natural gas well. The compressor being driven by a gas engine. A portion of the compressed natural gas is diverted, and passed through a dehydration membrane, and also through a gas-separation membrane which selects for carbon dioxide. The result is a natural gas stream which is relatively dry, and relatively free of carbon dioxide. This stream is used as fuel for the gas engine which drives the compressor. The permeate gases from the membrane may be recycled. The system enables the natural gas to be compressed efficiently, by providing a conditioned fuel gas for driving the compressor.

Abstract: Bubble traps for removing bubbles from a stream of liquid and flexible containers comprising such bubble traps are disclosed. The bubble trap includes a containment chamber fluidly coupled to an outlet conduit. At least one grate is disposed between the containment chamber and the outlet conduit. The at least one grate includes a plurality of grate inlets formed in a grate wall and fluidly coupled to the outlet conduit with a plurality of grate conduits such that the containment chamber is fluidly coupled to the outlet conduit. The grate traps bubbles entrained in the stream of liquid flowing from the containment chamber to the outlet conduit in the containment chamber when the bubbles are greater than or equal to a diameter of the grate inlets.

Abstract: There is provided herein a dryer polymer substance including a hetero-phase polymer composition including two or more polymers wherein at least one of the two or more polymers include sulfonic groups, wherein the substance is adapted to pervaporate a fluid. The fluid may include water, water vapor or both. There is also provided herein a process for the preparation of a dryer polymer substance adapted to pervaporate a fluid (such as water, water vapor or both) the process includes mixing two or more polymers, wherein at least one of the two or more polymers may include groups which are adapted to be sulfonated, to produce a hetero-phase polymer composition and processing the polymer blend into a desired form.

Abstract: Devices and systems for capturing and removing accumulated gas bubbles in a liquid-carrying line wherein the device is an expanded double-layered chamber designed and adapted to be integrally placed within the flow pathway of a liquid-carrying line. The device allows insertion of tubes and wires through the device while in use without occlusion of the fluid flow path and without interruption of the bubble-removing function. The efficiency of the air venting and bubble-removing process is not dependent on the fluid flow rate under stable flow conditions, and the device works to remove air bubbles under a range of orientations.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method for the remineralization of process water in a desalination system. The method sequesters carbon dioxide gas (CO2) from seawater or concentrate (brine) of desalination process via a gas transfer membrane. The sequestered carbon dioxide gas (CO2) is thereafter used in the production of soluble calcium bicarbonate (Ca(HCO3)2). The calcium bicarbonate (Ca(HCO3)2) adds hardness and alkalinity to the resulting process water.

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

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for removal and disposal of ammonia from spent dialysate in a dialysis system. Ammonium ions present in spent dialysate are converted into gaseous ammonia by raising the pH of the spent dialysate solution in a first reactor. Gaseous ammonia diffuses through a semi-permeable hydrophobic membrane at the outlet of the first reactor and into a second reactor via a gas channel. The second reactor converts gaseous ammonia into an ammonium compound for easy disposal.

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

Abstract: An elongated flow-through degassing apparatus includes an elongated gas and liquid impermeable outer member and a gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable inner barrier extending within the outer member and at least partially along a first chamber defined within the outer member. The apparatus also includes inlet and outlet connection structures operably coupled to respective portions of the outer member and a second chamber defined by the inner barrier to further enable a sealed engagement between the outer member and the inner barrier, and to provide for connection devices to operably couple the degassing apparatus of the present invention to respective spaced apart components. The degassing apparatus may be sufficiently flexible so as to be readily manipulatable into desired configurations.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide separation system for a fuel cell system having a small volume and weight of a separation device and of a membrane, at simultaneous increase of the separated volume of carbon dioxide, comprises a separation device for containing a fluid phase, a carbon dioxide phase, and a two phase fluid including fluid and carbon dioxide. The separation device comprises a two phase fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a carbon dioxide outlet, a carbon dioxide separation membrane, and a flow restrictor creating a backpressure which presses separated carbon dioxide through the carbon dioxide separation membrane. The flow restrictor comprises at least one narrow aperture, and is mounted downstream of the separation device. The carbon dioxide separation membrane is positioned in the separation device in such a manner that at least a part of the total membrane area is arranged above a two phase fluid level and is in touch with carbon dioxide contained in the separation device above the two phase fluid level.

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

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide venting and filtration systems with a membrane that is permeable to gas and substantially impermeable liquid. The systems can remove a gas from a liquid entrained with gas. The systems can include a reservoir in fluid communication with the membrane and a liquid outlet. The membrane can help prevent the gas from reaching the liquid outlet.

Abstract: One aspect of the present teachings includes a separation membrane arranged in a hollow case. A particular component concentration chamber and a particular component dilution chamber are arranged in series in the hollow case. The particular component concentration chamber is capable of increasing concentration of the particular component by allowing permeation of the particular gas through the separation membrane. The particular component dilution chamber is capable of increasing concentration of the particular component by not allowing permeation of the particular gas through the separation membrane. The particular component concentration chamber and the particular component dilution chamber are configured such that only a gas containing the particular component and permeated through the separation membrane or only a gas containing the particular component not permeated through the separation membrane in one of the chambers disposed on an upstream side (i.e.

Abstract: A degassing apparatus is provided that accomplishes the connecting of a degassing element and a connecting member and/or the joining of a vacuum (reduced-pressure) chamber and the connecting member without using a fastening structure screwed together with the connecting member. A degassing apparatus includes: a reduced-pressure chamber having a through port for flowing a degassing target liquid therethrough; a degassing element, accommodated in the chamber, for passing the liquid therethrough; and a tubular connecting member joined to the chamber at the through port. The degassing element includes a gas-permeable tube, for passing the liquid therethrough, being covered with a joint piece at an end portion of the gas-permeable tube. The degassing element is fixed to the chamber by heat sealing the connecting member and the joint piece together.

Abstract: An evaporative emissions filter for an engine air induction system. The evaporative emissions filter includes a hydrocarbon vapor-adsorbent member disposed within the air induction system outside the direct air flow path. A mechanism is provided for mounting the evaporative emissions filter within the air induction system. Hydrocarbon vapors present in the air induction system after engine shut-down are substantially retained in the adsorbent member until air flows through the air induction system after the engine starts.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid-gas separator of a direct liquid feed fuel cell. The liquid-gas separator includes an empty ball shaped main body; a gas extraction membrane which is attached to an opening formed in the main body, and selectively extracts gas from the main body; an inlet which is formed in the main body and guides the liquid and gas into the main body; an outlet which is formed on the main body and guides the liquid to the outside of the main body; and a flexible tube having a hollow structure, one end of which is connected to the outlet and the other end of which is immersed in the liquid fuel.

Abstract: A filter having two drain valves piloted by an electro-pneumatic valve. A check valve may be provided to by pass the filter. A membrane filter housing may include vanes extending into a reservoir in which the membrane filter extends. Also, one of the circumferential recesses of the bore for the membrane filter is in the reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus that comprises a membrane having a plurality of fluid-support-structures and openings located between the fluid-support-structures. The fluid-support-structures have at least one dimension that that is about 1 millimeter or less. The apparatus also comprises a wicking material positioned adjacent to a surface of the membrane. When a fluid locatable on a surface of the fluid-support-structures penetrates the fluid-support-structures, at least a portion of the fluid passes through the openings and into the wicking material.

Abstract: A porous carbon membrane has as a loaded component water, alcohol, ether, or ketone loaded on a surface or in a pore, or on the surface and in the pore thereof. The carbon membrane has the loaded component preferably having a molecular weight of 100 or less. The carbon membrane has the loaded component preferably being linear alcohol or linear ether. The carbon membrane has the loaded component preferably being at least one selected from methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, and n-butanol. There is provided a carbon membrane having high separation performance and little change in the separation performance with the passage of time.

Abstract: A vacuum control system allows the degree of vacuum in a vacuum vessel to be kept constant while removing vaporized components degassed into the vacuum vessel through a gas permeation diaphragm by stably introducing a very small amount of air into a vacuum exhaust path of the vacuum vessel. The vacuum control system controls the rotary power of a DC brushless motor, continuously controls displacement of a vacuum pump, and thus keeps the degree of vacuum in a vacuum vessel constant, by decompressing the inside of the vacuum vessel using an exhaust vacuum pump which operates with the DC brushless motor, monitoring the inside pressure of the vacuum vessel using a pressure sensor, and controlling a voltage applied to the DC brushless motor on the basis of an output signal resulting from measurement of the inside pressure of the vacuum vessel by the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A degasifier is provided in which the deterioration in sealing property (deterioration in airtightness) is prevented while sealing members to be placed between a container and covers that compose a decompression chamber can be omitted. A degasifier includes a decompression chamber provided with a container and covers, and a gas-permeable tube. The container is a tubular body extending along the central axis. The covers seal the openings of the ends of the tubular body. The gas-permeable tube is contained in the decompression chamber in such a manner that a liquid to be degassed that has entered from the outside of the decompression chamber flows therethrough and the liquid to be degassed that has flowed therethrough flows out of the decompression chamber.

Abstract: A liquid is degassed with an apparatus including a membrane contactor, where the liquid is drawn through the apparatus by gravity.

Abstract: A fuel system includes a fuel deoxygenator for removing oxygen from a liquid fuel. A vaporizer is in fluid communication with the fuel deoxygenator. The vaporizer vaporizes at least a portion of the liquid fuel to produce vaporized fuel. At least a portion of the vaporized fuel pre-mixes with oxidizer to reduce formation of undesirable emissions.

Abstract: The present invention is a gas absorption device arranged in a liquid container storing a liquid fed to a liquid consumption apparatus. The device includes a decompressed container having an opening and a flexible film sealing the opening in the state that the decompressed container is internally decompressed. At least a part of a portion having an inner surface which receives the decompressed pressure in the decompressed container and an outer surface which is in contact with the liquid in the liquid container is formed by a gas permeable material through which gas dissolved in the liquid in the liquid container can permeate. According to the present invention, gas dissolved in the liquid stored in the liquid container can be absorbed using a decompressed space and the existence of a decompressed status necessary to absorb gas can be easily examined.

Abstract: The present invention is a biogas processing system having a compressor having a biogas input and output, a pump having a water input and output, a scrubber tower having a mixing chamber connected to a biogas input, a water pump input, a water output, and a processed biogas output, and a filtration member connected to the water output to remove contaminants from the water exiting the first scrubber tower. The system also includes devices for heating and cooling the recycled flow of water to enhance the ability of the water to absorb contaminants from the biogas and the ability of a stripper to remove absorbed contaminants from the water in a closed loop water system, and a controller for closely controlling the operating parameters of the system to achieve safe an optimal operation of the system.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a system for recovering CO2 from seawater or aqueous bicarbonate solutions using a gas permeable membrane with multiple layers. At elevated pressures, gaseous CO2 and bound CO2 in the ionic form of bicarbonate and carbonate diffuse from the seawater or bicarbonate solution through the multiple layers of the membrane. Also disclosed is the related method of recovering CO2 from seawater or aqueous bicarbonate solutions.

Abstract: A fuel tank vent includes a nanoporous membrane separator positioned in an opening in a fuel tank to allow vapor from a fuel to flow across a membrane, wherein the membrane comprises a network in which surfaces of the network define a plurality of interconnecting pores extending through the membrane, wherein the plurality of interconnecting pores have a mean pore size of about 0.1 nanometers to about 50 nanometers, and are permeable to a selected one or both of the fuel vapor and air, and impermeable to a liquid fuel; and an oleophobic enhancement coating disposed on surfaces of the plurality of interconnecting pores and configured to provide oleophobicity to the membrane.

Abstract: A filter element (102) comprising a filter media (106) and a membrane (114). The filter media (106) filters impurities (e.g., water and/or contaminants) from a liquid (e.g., a liquid fuel initially containing impurities) as the liquid passes from the inlet side (110) to the outlet side (112) of the filter element (102). The membrane (114) is permeable to air and impermeable to the liquid and the impurities. The membrane (114) is positioned to provide a bypass from the inlet side (110) to the outlet side (112) of the filter element whereby air intermixed with the fluid will not accumulate on the inlet side (110) of the filter element (102).

Abstract: A humidity-conditioning sheet 10 excellent in reversibility and responsiveness of a moisture adsorbing/desorbing ability of rapidly adsorbing moisture at high ambient humidity and conversely rapidly desorbing adsorbed moisture at low ambient humidity includes a sheet-shaped humidity-conditioning layer 7 formed by bonding together, with a thermoplastic resin powder 4, humidity-conditioning particles 3 which reversibly adsorb and desorb water vapor. The void ratio of the humidity-conditioning layer 7 is 5% or more.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hollow fiber membrane submodule comprising a hollow fiber membrane element, permeated fluid collectors, and snaps for securing the permeated fluid collectors to the hollow fiber membrane element, wherein the permeated fluid collectors are closely attached to the hollow fiber membrane element with the snaps in engagement therebetween and being arranged non-continuously around the outer periphery of each permeated fluid collector, and the permeated fluid collectors can be removed from and installed in the hollow fiber membrane element. With the hollow fiber membrane submodule of the present invention, when replacing the membranes, the hollow fiber membrane element is replaced with a new hollow fiber membrane element, and then the permeated fluid collectors can be reattached to the replaced element and reused.

Abstract: A gas extraction apparatus provides for reliable and accurate extraction of gases dissolved in fluids and routing the extracted gas to an analytical instrument. An extraction module comprises one or more fluorosilicone membranes molded into the shape of a flattened disk. The membranes are retained in a housing in a spaced apart relationship. The membrane is permeable to target gas(es), but not to the fluid. Porous support members support the membranes and prevent damage to them and the housing defines separate fluid flow paths for the fluid and the gas extracted from it.

Abstract: A fuel stabilization unit includes an electrochemical device for promoting the formation of water utilizing oxygen from a fuel stream for generating an oxygen partial pressure differential across an oxygen permeable membrane.

Abstract: A gas removal device 1 includes a decompression chamber 2 with an inlet 11 and an outlet 12 through which a liquid to be degassed flows therein and thereout, and a degassing element 5 that is accommodated in the decompression chamber 2 while having one end connected to the inlet 11 and another end connected to the outlet 12, and that allows the liquid to be degassed entering into the inlet 11 to pass through the degassing element 5. The degassing element 5 includes a tube bundle 15 composed of a plurality of flexible gas-permeable tubes 151, and a tying member 16 tying the plurality of gas-permeable tubes 151 to form the tube bundle 15. The tube bundle 15 is bent in a shape of coil with multiple turns in such a manner that a portion tied by the tying member 16 is included in a bent portion BP.

Abstract: A liquid-gas separator for a direct liquid feed fuel cell includes a tube having an opening portion at a sidewall thereof; liquid extracting members that selectively transmit the liquid in the tube and located at both ends of the tube; a gas extracting membrane that selectively transmits the gas and covers the opening portion; an inlet that guides the liquid and the gas into the tube; chambers that surround an outer side of the liquid extracting member; and outlets that guide the liquid in the chambers to the outside by being connected to the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to degassing devices for dialysate circuits. One embodiment has a first housing and a second housing positioned within the first housing in an annular relationship. A second embodiment comprises a dialysate regeneration system with urease, a dialyzer, and a housing with an external wall, where the external wall is exposed to atmosphere and comprises a material that passes gas but does not pass liquid and where the housing is positioned between the urease and dialyzer.

Abstract: A fuel system for an energy conversion device includes a deoxygenator system with an oxygen permeable membrane formed from a multiple of layers. The layers include a sealant layer, an oxygen permeability layer and a porous backing layer. The layered composite oxygen permeable membrane maximizes the oxygen transfer rate and minimizes the fuel leakage rate.

Abstract: A liquid-gas separator for a direct liquid feed fuel cell includes: a housing having an open hole; a gas extracting membrane that covers the open hole and transmits only the gas; a liquid extracting member that defines a first chamber that contacts the gas extracting membrane and a second chamber that does not contact the gas extracting membrane, and selectively transmits the liquid in the first chamber to the second chamber; an inlet that guides the liquid and the gas into the housing; and an outlet that is connected to the second chamber and guides the liquid in the second chamber to the outside.

Abstract: Multiphasic reactions, especially those reactions using a phase transfer catalyst, are conducted in microchannel apparatus. Advantageously, these reactions can be conducted with two, planar microlayers of reactants in adjacent laminar flow streams. Microchannel apparatus and methods for conducting unit operations such as reactions and separations in microchannel apparatus is also described. Microchannel apparatus can provide advantages for controlling reactions and separating products, solvents or reactants in multiphase reactions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for separating fluids are disclosed. We have discovered that, surprisingly, providing an open pore structure between a wick and an open flow channel resulted in superior separation performance. A novel and compact integrated device components for conducting separations are also described.

Abstract: A fuel system for a gas turbine engine removes oxygen from fuel with a fuel stabilization unit (FSU). The FSU includes a first vacuum stage, where vacuum pressure is created by an ejector and a second vacuum stage where vacuum pressure is created by the ejector and a vacuum pump. The vacuum stream from the first vacuum stage and the second vacuum stage flow through the ejector. The vacuum stream from the second vacuum stage is all that passes through the vacuum pump.