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

Abstract: 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: A membrane contactor includes a housing, a stack of membrane mats, and a cap. The housing has a closed end and an open end. The closed end includes an outlet port. The cap is united to the open end and includes an inlet port. A stack of membrane mats is within the housing stacked substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing. Each membrane mat has a plurality of hollow fiber members. A potting material bonds the membrane mats to each other and simultaneously bonds one end of the stack to the closed end and bonds the other end of the stack to the cap. The potting material forms an internal chamber and at least one external chamber within the housing. The hollow fiber members extend through the potting material from the internal chamber into the external chambers. The inlet port and the outlet port are in communication with the internal chamber. At least one side port is in communication with the external chambers.

Abstract: A fluid filter is provided with a snap-together housing for the filter media. The housing is designed with two main parts that are easily snapped together to encapsulate the filter media. The filter housing is substantially cylindrical, and contains an inlet on one end of the filter and an outlet on the opposing end. The filter can be designed so as to be opened for the replacement of the filter media.

Abstract: A mass transfer or energy transfer module is provided which includes a manifold, a cartridge and a bowl which houses the cartridge. The cartridge and bowl are connected to each other at least two flanges which fit into slots of the bowl to form a unitary construction.

Abstract: A separation membrane module having hollow fibers, wherein a plurality of hollow fibers are heated and melted to bond and thermally fuse the external surfaces of the hollow fibers with each other; and a method of manufacturing a separation membrane module having hollow fibers whereby the ends of a plurality of hollow fibers are inserted into a sheath, the sheath and the hollow fibers are tightly bonded together to form spaces, and the sheath portion into which hollow fibers have been inserted is heated up to the temperature at which the surfaces of the hollow fibers melt, with the spaces thus formed kept in a decompressed state, so that the exterior surfaces of the hollow fibers are thermally fused and integrated together.

Abstract: A novel asymmetric filter membrane, and process for making is disclosed in several exemplary versions. The membrane structure is physically robust and suitable for use in a wide variety of applications. The support membrane is may be comprised of material such as a porous silicon or a silicon oxide, and the separation membrane may be comprised of material such as a polymer, zeolite film, or silicon oxide. The process relies on steps adapted from the microelectronics industry.

Abstract: An apparatus has a body with a wall defining at least in part an enclosed chamber. The wall has a first opening providing fluid flow into the chamber and a second opening providing fluid flow out of the chamber. The wall has a vent allowing gas to pass outwardly from the chamber. An outlet tube extends from the second opening into the chamber and an aperture. The aperture allows fluid within the chamber to enter the outlet tube and flow outwardly from the chamber through the second opening. Bubbles within the chamber are prevented from entering the outlet tube regardless of the orientation of the body.

Abstract: A fluid-gas separator includes a gas-permeable membrane arranged sufficiently adjacent to a fluid-permeable membrane to allow the separation of fluid and gas flowing therein independent of the orientation of the fluid-gas separator itself.

Abstract: A composite oxygen ion transport element that has a layered structure formed by a dense layer to transport oxygen ions and electrons and a porous support layer to provide mechanical support. The dense layer can be formed of a mixture of a mixed conductor, an ionic conductor, and a metal. The porous support layer can be fabricated from an oxide dispersion strengthened metal, a metal-reinforced intermetallic alloy, a boron-doped Mo5Si3-based intermetallic alloy or combinations thereof. The support layer can be provided with a network of non-interconnected pores and each of said pores communicates between opposite surfaces of said support layer. Such a support layer can be advantageously employed to reduce diffusion resistance in any type of element, including those using a different material makeup than that outlined above.

Abstract: A method for preventing fuel from migrating, i.e., infiltrating, into a mircoporous polymer membrane, such as that used in a fuel deoxygenator device of an aircraft to remove dissolved oxygen from the fuel, includes heating the membrane to reduce the size of micropores in the membrane from a first size to a second size that is large enough to allow migration of oxygen through the membrane and small enough to prevent migration of fuel into the membrane. The membrane is an amorphous fluoropolymer on a PVDF substrate and the micropores are reduced in size by heating the membrane at a temperature between 130° C. and 150° C. for 2 hours.

Abstract: A mass transfer device having a fluid permeable core wound with many stands of a hollow fiber. A bulk fluid enters the interior of the core, passes through the side wall of the core, and along the outer surfaces of the hollow fibers. A baffle positioned in the center of the core so that the bulk fluid passes outwardly upstream of the baffle and inwardly through the core along the downstream of the block.

Abstract: A process and a device for separating and exhausting gas bubbles from a flowing liquid, especially in a microfluidic system, are proposed. Radial deflection of the liquid, a preferably annular deaeration chamber from which gas can escape through gas separation material, and a following discharge filter are characteristic. The discharge filter is made of a hydrophilic material which forms pores or small channels. Optionally, there is an inlet filter of the corresponding material upstream of the deaeration chamber.

Abstract: A ventilation member having: a breathable film transmitting gas passing through an opening portion of a housing in a state in which the breathable film is fixed to the opening portion; and a support including a supporting portion for supporting the breathable film and an insertion portion to be inserted into the opening portion of the housing; wherein a lock structure for locking the support in the housing by rotating the support around a central axis of the support is formed in the insertion portion.

Abstract: An oxygen transport membrane reactor having an oxygen transport membrane and a downstream fuel injector located within a chamber. The oxygen transport membrane and fuel injector are enclosed by a duct that constrains an incoming oxygen containing feed to flow along the outer surface of the duct and then reverse direction and flow within the duct and past the oxygen transport membrane and then the fuel injector. The oxygen transport membrane permeates part of the oxygen within the oxygen containing feed by ion transport to form a retentate. The retentate is used to support combustion of the fuel injected by the fuel injector. The resulting heat is used to heat the incoming oxygen containing feed by indirect heat exchange which in turn is used to heat the oxygen transport membrane.

Abstract: A fuel system for an energy conversion device includes a deoxygenator system with a porous membrane. The deoxygenator includes an oxygen receiving channel separated from the fuel channel by the porous membrane. The capillary forces counteract the pressure differential across the membrane, preventing any leakage of the fuel, while the oxygen concentration differential across the membrane allows for deoxygenation of the fuel through the porous membrane.

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

Abstract: A degassing device capable of regulating an amount of air dissolved in a liquid. A device for measuring amounts of dissolved oxygen measures the amount of oxygen dissolved in one of a coating liquid which has yet to be degassed, and is to be fed to a film degassing device, and a coating liquid which has been degassed and discharged from the film degassing device. Based on measured results, a control unit regulates the degree of opening of a vacuum valve so as to change the degree of degassing performed by the film degassing device, thereby suppressing fluctuations in an amount of oxygen dissolved in the coating liquid. A load never constantly acts on the film all the time, the film life can accordingly be extended, thus resulting in reductions in running costs.

Abstract: A filter for filtering intravenous fluid includes a base member having one or more vent holes and a fluid inlet chamber; a cap member having an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid outlet chamber; hydrophilic filtration media captured between the base member and the cap member, separating the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber; the filter having a flow path such that fluid passing into the filter housing through the inlet passes through the hydrophilic filtration media before passing out the outlet; one piece of hydrophobic vent media positioned over the vent hole and secured to the base member; and the base member having a center section and side sections forming the inlet chamber, the side sections extending from the center section towards the perimeter of the base member and being formed with sloped walls so as to encourage any air in the inlet chamber to flow towards the vent.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus for the removal of organic substances and/or nitrogen sources from an aqueous medium by exposing the aqueous medium to the action of microorganisms supported on a gas permeable, water impermeable layer, or on and/or in a three dimensional microbial support layer, that is proximate a gas delivery layer through which gas, preferably, oxygen-containing gas, is supplied to the gas permeable layer such that it diffuses through the gas permeable layer and is supplied to the microorganisms.

Abstract: A process and corresponding apparatus for dehydrating gas, especially natural gas. The process includes an absorption step and a membrane pervaporation step to regenerate the liquid sorbent.

Abstract: A gas-liquid separator uses a helical passageway to impart a spiral motion to a fluid passing therethrough. The centrifugal force generated by the spiraling motion urges the liquid component of the fluid radially outward which forces the gas component radially inward. The gas component is then separated through a gas-permeable, liquid-impervious membrane and discharged through a central passageway. A filter material captures target substances contained in the fluid.

Abstract: A layered sheet construction contains at least one gas permeable, liquid water impermeable layer, and a gas delivery layer formed of a corrugated sheet proximate the gas permeable, water impermeable layer. The corrugated sheet has corrugations that form flow channels through which gas can be conveyed to the gas permeable layer. One embodiment of the layered sheet construction includes a gas permeable, liquid water impermeable layer having a surface energy that is below 20 dynes per centimeter.

Abstract: Medical devices for removing gasses, such as gas bubbles and/or dissolved gasses, from a liquid to be delivered to a patient, and methods of use and making of such devices. In at least some embodiments, a gas permeable membrane material is used in the construction of the gas removal devices. In some embodiments, layers of gas permeable membrane material are used to construct a filter structure for removing gas from the liquid. In other embodiments, hollow tubes and/or fibers of the gas permeable membrane material are used to construct a filter structure for removing gas from the liquid. The gas removal devices may be used in any of a broad variety of liquid delivery systems and/or configurations.

Abstract: A complex oxide and an oxide-ion conductor made of the complex oxide are provided. The complex oxide has a basic composition of (Sm1-xAx)(Al1-yBy)O3, wherein “A” represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of barium, strontium and calcium, “B” represents an element selected from the group consisting of magnesium, iron and cobalt, x is a value in a range of 0.10 to 0.30, and y is a value in a range of 0 to 0.30.

Abstract: A fuel system for an energy conversion device includes a deoxygenator system. A signal generator system includes a multiple of transducers located adjacent a fuel channel. The transducers are arranged to generate acoustic flow chaotization and cavitation-induced phase separation which destroys oxygen depleted boundary layers and significantly improving flow mixing, intensifying oxygen supply to the surface of an oxygen-removing membrane of the deoxygenator system.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing an array assay are provided. The subject array assay devices include a degassing zone that includes a gas permeable membrane. Embodiments include degassing microarray-backing elements that are used with an array assembly to provide an enclosed assay array chamber about at least one array of the array assembly. The degassing backing elements include: (1) a substrate having a surface comprising at least one gasket, and (2) a gas permeable membrane. Embodiments also include array assemblies that include a degassing zone, for example positioned on an array substrate. Embodiments of the subject methods include contacting an array with a sample under conditions sufficient to perform an array assay, wherein the contacting step further includes degassing the sample. Also provided are systems and kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: A process for removing oxygen from a copper plating solution is provided. The solution is passed through a degasser comprising a shell and hollow hydrophobic fiber porous membranes wherein the shell while a vacuum is drawn on the surfaces of the fibers opposite the fiber surfaces contacted by the solution. Gas passed through the fiber walls while liquid is prevented from infiltrating the fiber pores. The composition of the solution is monitored so that the composition can be retained substantially constant by adding components of the solution as needed.

Abstract: A ventilation member having: a breathable film transmitting gas passing through an opening portion of a housing in a state in which the breathable film is fixed to the opening portion; and a support including a supporting portion for supporting the breathable film and an insertion portion to be inserted into the opening portion of the housing; wherein the insertion portion has a lock portion in an insertion-start-side end portion thereof, the lock portion having a tapered forward end, while the insertion portion is divided into a plurality of parts circumferentially at least on an insertion start side thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes are disclosed for economical separation of fluid mixtures utilizing perm-selective membranes. Broadly, apparatus of the invention comprises a plurality of membrane modules comprising a solid perm-selective membrane and equipment for controlling enthalpy of selected fluids within the apparatus. Advantageously, the membrane modules are disposed in a first product group, a second product group, and at least one intermediate group. Apparatus of the invention is particularly useful for simultaneous recovery of a very pure permeate product, and/or a desired non-permeate stream, from fluid mixtures of two or more compounds which when subjected to appropriately altered conditions of temperature and/or pressure exhibit a bubble point.

Abstract: A system for producing and maintaining high purity degassed layup water for use in a power plant system during a layup period is disclosed. The liquid degassing system includes a degassing assembly for removing a predetermined amount of the undesired gases under vacuum pressure from the layup solution such that the amount of desired gases within the layup solution remains at or below standard values.

Abstract: An elongated flow-through vacuum degassing apparatus includes an elongated gas and liquid impermeable outer tube and one or more gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable elongated inner tubes extending coaxially within the outer tube. The degassing apparatus further includes a vacuum source adaptor extending from a side wall of the outer tube and co-extensively with a vacuum source coupling aperture in the outer tube so as to create a sealed axial vacuum chamber between the outer tube and the inner tubes. The apparatus also includes inlet and outlet connection structures operably coupled to respective portions of the outer tube and the inner tubes to further enable a sealed engagement between the outer tube and the inner tubes, and to provide for connection devices for operably coupling the degassing apparatus of the present invention to respective components in a chromatographic system. The degassing apparatus is sufficiently flexible so as to be readily manipulatable into desired configurations.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system for separating gas and liquid phases from a mixed phase system is provided. Furthermore, the present invention provides for the reliable separation of liquid and gas phases, regardless of the orientation of the system with respect to a gravitational field, and in low or zero gravity environments. The system of the present invention generally provides a reservoir having a variable volume that is formed from a gas permeable, hydrophobic, microporous, polymer material. Material confined within the reservoir is maintained under pressure, to expel any gases introduced to the interior of the reservoir as part of a mixed phase inlet stream. The liquid phase component of the mixed phase inlet stream may be removed from the reservoir through an outlet located within the reservoir volume.

Abstract: A system for the management of thermal transfer in a gas turbine engine includes a heat generating sub-system in operable communication with the engine, a fuel source to supply a fuel, a fuel stabilization unit to receive the fuel from the fuel source and to provide the fuel to the engine, and a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the fuel to transfer heat from the heat generating sub-system to the fuel. A method of managing thermal transfer in an aircraft includes removing oxygen from a stream of a fuel fed to an engine used to drive the aircraft, transferring heat from a heat generating sub-system of the aircraft to the fuel, and combusting the fuel. A system for the thermal management of an aircraft provides for powering the aircraft, supplying a fuel deoxygenating the fuel, and transferring heat between a heat generating sub-system of the aircraft and the fuel.

Abstract: An apparatus to transfer gas to or from a liquid has a flexible and oxygen permeable but liquid water impermeable membrane, a flexible and gas permeable spacer, an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit and a non-rigid restrain system. When used for treating wastewater, an aerobic biofilm is culture adjacent the planar elements, an anoxic biofilm is cultivated adjacent the aerobic biofilm and the wastewater is maintained in an anaerobic state. A first reactor for treating wastewater has an anaerobic section, a plurality of gas transfer membrane modules, and an aerobic section. A biofilm is cultivated on the surface of the gas transfer membranes in fluid communication with the anaerobic section. Biological reduction of COD, BOD, nitrogen and phosphorous are achieved. In a second reactor, phosphorous is also removed chemically in a precipitation branch.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling or otherwise effectively parameterizing the transport of dissolved, retained and/or exhausted gaseous byproducts generated in the operation of a fuel cell device comprises a gas permeable membrane (320) for substantially in-line, gravity-independent partitioning of, for example, carbon dioxide (710) in a DMFC device (700). Various features and parameters of the present invention may be suitably adapted to optimize the gas transport function for any specific fuel cell design. The present invention provides improved control of the rate of removal of gaseous byproducts from a fuel cell fuel solution in addition to improved application of fuel cell technology to power inter alia portable electronic devices.

Abstract: A barrier filter useful for aseptically discharging both gaseous and liquid fluids from a chemical process system is disclosed The barrier filter comprises, within a common enclosure, one or several filter membranes having singularly or collectively a mixture or hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions. The common enclosure of the barrier filter is provided with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. All filter membranes are located within the fluid path between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. A variety of membrane-based systems, into which such barrier filter is installed, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A gas-liquid separator uses a helical passageway to impart a spiral motion to a fluid passing therethrough. The centrifugal fore generated by the spiraling motion urges the liquid component of the fluid radially outward which forces the gas component radially inward. The gas component is then filtered through a gas-permeable, liquid-impervious membrane and discharged through a central passageway.

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

Abstract: An ink tank is formed having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape, and air/fluid separating members having air pores are provided around at least the corner portions of the generally rectangular parallelepiped. The inner faces of wall members forming the outer faces of the generally rectangular parallelepiped are formed with an inclination of a predetermined angle as to the outer face of the wall member which it faces.

Abstract: An integrated mobile phase degassing and blending apparatus for transport of liquid chromatography fluids therethrough includes a component having a first portion and a second portion, with the first portion defining an enclosed degassing chamber, and the second portion including a mobile phase blending device, wherein the degassing chamber and the mobile phase blending device are operably coupled to one another such that the liquid chromatography fluids pass directly into the blending device from the degassing chamber. In a particular embodiment, the degassing chamber is specifically configured to accommodate multiple distinct flexible degassing tubes.

Abstract: A filter for filtering intravenous fluid comprises a base member having an outer perimeter, one or more vent holes and a fluid inlet chamber; a cap member having an outer perimeter, an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid outlet chamber; generally planar hydrophilic filtration media captured between the base member and the cap member, separating the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber; the perimeters of the base and cap members being sealed together to form a filter housing, and the filter having a flow path such that fluid passing into the filter housing through the inlet passes through the hydrophilic filtration media before passing out the outlet; one piece of hydrophobic vent media positioned over the at least one vent hole and secured to the base member; and the base member having a center section and side sections forming the inlet chamber, the side sections extending from the center section towards the perimeter of the base member and being formed with sloped walls so as to encourage any air in the inlet cha

Abstract: The invention relates to semipermeable membranes comprising organically modified silicic-acid polycondensates, to a process for preparing them and to their use in gas exchange and in separation techniques, especially in gas separation, dialysis, pervaporation, and other filtration. The membranes of the invention can be flat or tubular and can be manufactured by conventional methods from viscous liquids obtained by hydrolytic polycondensation of organically modified, hydrolyzable silicon compounds containing C═C double bonds. The membranes are cured by addition polymerization and/or polyaddition of the C═C double bonds.

Abstract: High flux porous hollow fiber membranes are produced from perfluorinated thermoplastic polymers by extruding a heated solution of the polymer having a lower critical solution temperature directly into a cooling bath to form the porous membrane by liquid-liquid phase separation. Extrusion can be conducted either vertically or horizontally.

Abstract: A system for the management of thermal transfer in a gas turbine engine includes a heat generating sub-system disposed in operable communication with the engine, a fuel source configured to supply a fuel, a fuel stabilization unit configured to receive the fuel from the fuel source and to provide the fuel to the engine, and a heat exchanger disposed in thermal communication with the fuel to effect the transfer of heat from the heat generating sub-system to the fuel. A method of managing thermal transfer in an aircraft includes removing oxygen from a stream of a fuel fed to an engine used to drive the aircraft, transferring heat from a heat generating sub-system of the aircraft to the fuel, and combusting the fuel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a membrane contactor for debubbling (or degassing) a liguid. The membrane contactor comprises a perforated core tube, a plurality of hollow fiber membranes surrounding the tubes and having an end, a tube sheet affixing the end of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes to the core tube, and a shell surrounding the plurality of hollow fiber membranes and the tube sheet. A lumen side is defined by an internal surface of the membranes. A shell side is defined by the perforated core tube, an external surface of said membrane, and the shell. The membrane is a single layered, skinned, polymethylpentene hollow fiber microporous membrane. The skin is on the shell side.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gas sampling system for conducting respiratory gases from a patient respiratory gas output mechanism to a respiratory gas monitoring device. A gas sampling tube is coupled to an input connector. The gas sampling tube is configured to conduct the respiratory gases from the patient to the gas monitoring device. An output connector couples the gas sampling tube to the monitor input connector. An output dryer tube is coupled between the gas sampling tube and the output connector. The output dryer tube is characterized by a tube length and a relative moisture removal efficiency. The relative moisture removal efficiency is dependent on the tube length. The tube length is selected to limit the moisture content of the respiratory gasses being directed into the respiratory gas monitor to a predetermined level.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for removing gas from a blood handling system. A filter apparatus for monitoring and removing gas is provided comprising of a gas removal/blood filter, a sensor to sense the presence of gas, and a valve operably coupled to the sensor to evacuate gas from the apparatus when the sensor detects an accumulation of gas. When used with a previously known blood handling system, the present filter apparatus facilitates priming and the addition of additional blood handling elements during operation of the blood handling system.

Abstract: This invention's object is to eliminate a possibility that both aromatic substances and olefin substances are resolved into deaerated liquid contacted with a transmission film. As a transmission film for allowing only gas to pass and preventing liquid from being passed therethrough, there is applied a product of high volatile characteristic in which dispersion liquid composed of single solution is added to particle plastic substrate to form paste material is extruded and baked.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a method for venting a gas from a liquid delivery system are provided. A venting tube may be provided and may be positioned within a chamber that contains the liquid. The liquid may have a top surface within the chamber. The venting tube may have an opening covered by a liquiphobic membrane or a hydrophobic membrane. The membrane may define a plane or a surface which is not parallel to the top surface of the liquid. Gas may pass through a portion of the membrane into the venting tube. Moreover, the membrane may vent the gas. The membrane is non-parallel to the liquid, and, as a result, the membrane may be less prone to clogging.