Abstract: Assemblies and methods are provided to divert liquids that would otherwise infiltrate utility manholes or other hatchways, while allowing gases to vent to the atmosphere. Preferred embodiments of the assemblies comprise a cover support frame, a sheet of water-repellent gas-permeable material occluding the central opening of the support frame and a cover mated to the frame. Preferably, a stiffening ring or other means of providing structural rigidity to the venting structure is provided. The assemblies are lightweight and are simple to install, and can be fabricated from materials that are readily available. Moreover, the assemblies can be easily modified to accommodate field conditions.

Abstract: An air-permeable filter for an ink cartridge includes at least one porous material layer including at least one resin selected from the group including fluororesin and polyolefin resin, and at least one air-permeable substrate layer having a tensile strength of 1 MPa or more. In addition, an ink cartridge includes a space for receiving an ink and at least one air vent in which the air-permeable filter is provided.

Abstract: The invention encompasses polishing systems for polishing semiconductive material substrates, and encompasses methods of cleaning polishing slurry from semiconductive substrate surfaces. In one aspect, the invention includes a method of cleaning a polishing slurry from a substrate surface comprising: a) providing a substrate surface having a polishing slurry in contact therewith; b) providing a liquid; c) injecting a gas into the liquid to increase a total dissolved gas concentration in the liquid; and d) after the injecting, providing the liquid against the substrate surface to displace the polishing slurry from the substrate surface.

Abstract: A fuel deoxygenator includes a plurality of fuel plates defining fuel passages through a housing. A permeable membrane supported by a porous substrate is in contact with fuel flowing through the fuel passages. A vacuum in communication with the porous substrate creates a differential pressure between oxygen within the fuel and the porous membrane. The oxygen partial pressure differential causes oxygen dissolved within the fuel to migrate from the fuel through the permeable membrane away from the fuel. Fuel exiting the outlet includes a substantially reduced amount of dissolved oxygen.

Abstract: The vapor membrane dehumidification device and method for air cycle environment control systems uses a semipermeable vapor membrane for water vapor, air separation. The vapor membrane has a high water to air permselectivity. When air containing water vapor is passed over or through the semipermeable fibers of the membrane countercurrently or crosscurrently to a purge air stream the water vapor may permeate through the fibers. Using a purge air stream of lower water vapor partial pressure relative to the feed moist air stream, the water vapor is moved to the purge air stream due to the partial pressure differential of water vapor and then expelled overboard with the purge air stream. The purge air stream can be replaced with any source of air internal or external to the aircraft such as air from the aircraft cabin.

Abstract: Pervaporation device for the desalination of salt water comprising a channel or cavity for holding or transporting salt water and a liquid-water-impermeable, water-vapour-permeable non-porous membrane, which is made of a copolyether amide wherein the polyether and (poly)amide segments are linked via amide bridges.

Abstract: A flow-dampening degassing apparatus for transport of liquid chromatography fluids therethrough includes a substantially burdoin-shaped flexible tube disposed in a reduced-pressure chamber, the tube being sufficiently flexible to expand in a cross-sectional direction upon incursion of a fluid pulsation to thereby increase an inner volume of the tube and correspondingly reduce fluid pressure therein. In a particular embodiment, the tube is fabricated from a gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable material for degassing transported fluids in the reduced-pressure chamber.

Abstract: There is disclosed a spiral-wound membrane module design for various membrane filtration techniques having significantly reduced fluid flow resistance in the feed stream path. Specifically, the inventive spiral-wound membrane module is designed having a corrugated entrance and exit spacers together over less than 10% of the length of the spiral wound module and a stiffener sheet wound to provide for uniform feed channel gap width.

Abstract: An apparatus for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide between a gas and an aqueous liquid, usually fresh water or sea water, using a plurality of hollow fiber gas permeable membranes. Oxygen is extracted from a surrounding liquid into the fibers and carbon dioxide is diffused from the fibers into the surrounding liquid. The oxygen rich gas within the membranes is distributed through a breathing device to a user.

Abstract: There is disclosed amembrane assisted evaporation process (MAE) for economically and reliably removing water added to brine. The process comprises using low-grade waste heat and air to evaporate water from diluted salt brines when the water moves across a membrane in a liquid state.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane module and potting material can be used for chemical deaeration in a semiconductor production process, in printers, in a liquid crystal sealing process or in a chemical production process. A hollow fiber membrane module 1 includes, as potting material 2, an epoxy resin cured product in which the weight change per unit surface area of a potting material test piece after immersing the test piece in a chemical for 6 months at room temperature is within the range of −20 to +20 mg/cm2, and as housing 4, a polyolefin in which the weight change per unit surface area of a test piece after immersing the test piece in a chemical for 6 months at room temperature is within the range of −20 to +20 mg/cm2, and the total metal content is 300 ppm or less. The module has a long service life when used for chemical treatment without leakage.

Abstract: A fully perfluorinated thermoplastic hollow fiber membrane fluid-fluid contactor and a process for manufacturing the contactor is described. The contactor has a unitary end structure produced by a single step potting and bonding process. The contactor can be operated with low surface tension liquids and in harsh chemical environments.

Abstract: A gas-liquid separation membrane is provided with high reliability and performance while having gas-permeable pores formed independently of each other in even pore size and in uniform distribution. The gas-liquid separation membrane has a plurality of gas-permeable pores that permit permeation of gas and that prevent permeation of liquid by capillary force, and the plurality of gas-permeable pores are formed independently of each other and in even pore size by laser machining.

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 lumen 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: A fully perfluorinated thermoplastic hollow fiber membrane fluid-fluid contactor and a process for manufacturing the contactor is described. The contactor has a unitary end structure produced by a single step potting and bonding process. The contactor can be operated with low surface tension liquids and in harsh chemical environments.

Abstract: Oleophobic and hydrophobic filters for filter venting applications are made by forming a fluorosulfone coating on the surface of a filtration substrate. The filters have high water penetration pressures and high air permeabilities. The coatings are formed by grafting a fluorosulfone oligomer to a polymeric substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is a liquid transport member with significantly improved liquid handling capability, which has at least one bulk region and a wall region that completely circumscribes said bulk region, and which comprises a membrane port region and an open port region, whereby the bulk region has an average fluid permeability kb which is higher than the average fluid permeability kp of the membrane port region.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for debubbling an ink. The method comprises the steps of: providing an ink having an entrained gas; providing a membrane contactor comprising a plurality of integrally asymmetric hollow fiber microporous membranes; a membrane defining within the contactor a lumen side and a shell side; providing a vacuum source; passing the gas entrained ink through the shell side of the contactor; applying the vacuum source to the lumen side of the contactor; and debubbling the gas entrained ink across the membrane.

Abstract: A gas-liquid separation membrane is provided with high reliability and performance while having gas-permeable pores formed independently of each other in even pore size and in uniform distribution. The gas-liquid separation membrane has a plurality of gas-permeable pores that permit permeation of gas and that prevent permeation of liquid by capillary force, and the plurality of gas-permeable pores are formed independently of each other and in even pore size by laser machining.

Abstract: A covering system that includes a first membrane, a first flotation member coupled to the first membrane. The first flotation member includes a first float and a first float compartment membrane, and the first float compartment membrane is coupled to the first membrane. The covering system also includes a first plurality of gas-relief passageways positioned either within the first float compartment membrane, or within the first membrane and adjacent to the first flotation member. And at least one of the gas-relief passageways within the first plurality is structured so that gas flows unobstructed through it when the system is used. Gas-relief openings formed between overlapping membranes may also be utilized as avenues through which gas may escape to atmosphere from beneath the covers and covering systems. Venting methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An intake air separation system suitable for combustion air of an internal combustion engine. An air separation device of the system includes a plurality of fibers, each fiber having a tube with a permeation barrier layer on the outer surface thereof and a coalescing layer on the inner surface thereof, to restrict fluid droplets from contacting the permeation barrier layer.

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

Abstract: A device for removing entrained air or gas from fluids includes a first chamber having a fluid inlet and an outlet, a second chamber, adjacent said first chamber, having a plurality of channels, a porous barrier separating the first chamber and the second chamber and a vent in fluid communication with the second chamber. The inlet is connected to the first chamber through at least one fluid passage. Fluid flows from the inlet, through the passage, and into the first chamber. A fluid dead zone adjacent the barrier assists an air or gas bubble to coalesce and pass through the barrier into the second chamber. The plurality of channels within the second chamber collect the air or gas and direct it to the vent in communication with the channels. A clip, or similar device, may be used to secure the device to medical equipment adjacent the patient or fluid source.

Abstract: A flow-through vacuum degassing unit for degassing a mobile phase in liquid chromatography applications includes a relatively flat self-supporting thin membrane disposed in a compact degassing component, whereby the thin membrane is gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable to selectively degas a mobile phase. The self-supporting thin membrane is disposed on a permeable substrate through which a vacuum is drawn by a connected vacuum source. In a particular embodiment, the self-supporting membrane may be directly cast on the permeable substrate through a solvent-free thermal process.

Abstract: A flow-through vacuum degassing unit for degassing a liquid includes a vacuum chamber adapted to be connected to a source for creating a vacuum in the chamber, an inlet and an outlet connection for admitting and discharging liquid to be degassed, a tube for conducting the liquid through the chamber, wherein the tube is a gas permeable polymeric resin material, and a control circuit for operating the source for creating a vacuum in the chamber responsive to a sensed vacuum level in the chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of oxygen using novel membranes, formed from perovskitic or multi-phase structures, with a chemically active coating which demonstrate exceptionally high rates of fluid flux. The process uses membranes that are conductors of oxygen ions and electrons, which are substantially stable in air over the temperature range of 25° C. to the operating temperature of the membrane.

Abstract: Oleophobic and hydrophobic filters for filter venting applications are made by forming a fluorosulfone coating on the surface of a filtration substrate. The filters have high water penetration pressures and high air permeabilities. The coatings are formed by grafting a fluorosulfone oligomer to a polymeric substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for supplying a liquid raw material wherein the liquid raw material is deaerated and supplied from a liquid raw material container to a liquid flow control section, the method comprising passing the liquid raw material, supplied from a liquid raw material container by the pressure of a first inert gas, inside of a gas permeable synthetic resin tube, passing a second inert gas having a lower permeability into the synthetic resin tube than the first inert gas along the external surface of the synthetic resin tube whereby the first inert gas dissolved in the liquid raw material is allowed to penetrate into the outside of the synthetic resin tube and then supplying the liquid raw material to the liquid flow control section and an apparatus for supplying a liquid raw material which apparatus is used in the method. The invention ensures that inert gas dissolved in a liquid raw material can be removed easily and efficiently in a semiconductor manufacturing process using a liquid raw material.

Abstract: A downhole preferential hydrocarbon gas recovery system and method employ preferentially selective materials to separate the hydrocarbon gas from contaminants. According to one aspect of the invention, the preferentially selective materials are arranged in tubes with the hydrocarbon gas flowing through the tubes and the contaminants permeating out through the preferentially selective material.

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

Abstract: A method for dewatering and/or degassing a hydraulic fluid includes separating gases and water in the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid by pervaporation at a membrane that is permeable to the gas and the water and that is impermeable to hydraulic fluid, while maintaining a partial pressure drop for the gas and the water near the membrane.

Abstract: A membrane contactor degasses a liquid. A liquid having a dissolved gas is introduced into a contactor which is connected to a vacuum source. The contactor has a perforated core, a plurality of hollow fiber membranes, a tube sheet affixing each end of the fibers, and a shell having a liquid egress. The shell encloses the fibers, the tube sheet, and the core. The hollow fiber lumens are in fluid communication with the vacuum source. Liquid enters the contactor via the core's open end radially exits the core, crosses over the membranes within the shell, and exits the contactor by the liquid egress. The dissolved gas thereby diffuses from the liquid across the membrane into the lumen. The liquid exiting may have a dissolved gas content to less than 1 ppb.

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

Abstract: A tubular membrane extractor column is connected to an oil filled electrical component such as a transformer. Fault gases dissolved in the transformer oil are extracted from the oil in the separator and are isolated in a second phase. Oil and second phase gas are circulated in separate flow paths until equilibrium is reached. Equilibrated gas is routed to a gas chromatograph or other analytical instrument requiring controlled fluid flow, and which incorporates a manifold assembly that eliminates the need for many of the external fittings and connections required in the instrument. A manifold block has plural fluid flow paths formed therethrough to route fluids to selected components. A collar mates to the block and adapts to a rotary injection valve to provide the continued fluid paths from the block to the injector valve and the other components of the instrument.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to ceramic oxygen generating modules, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for controlling a duty cycle for each of a plurality of ceramic oxygen generating modules in a modular ceramic oxygen generating system.

Abstract: A method of decreasing the amount of cosmetic defects in contact lenses made from hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers. By filtering the monomer mixture with a filter, the hydrophilic and hydrophobic components are finely dispersed throughout the mixture. Dissolved gases contained within the mixture are also finely dispersed. Contact lenses produced from this method have improved optical quality.

Abstract: Aqueous streams containing organic and/or inorganic contaminants are purified by the removal of the contaminant by contacting the aqueous stream with a membrane formed from a porous, crystalline titanium silicate.

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: The method of degassing an aqueous coating solution having a viscosity of 1 centipoise or more comprises using a fluoro resin film as the degassing membrane and can degas fast without the generation of microbubbles which causes coating troubles even in the case of the solutions having a high viscosity.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the deoxygenation of liquid fuel in the fuel system of an energy conversion device, such as an aircraft gas turbine engine. A membrane filter is disposed in the fuel system and is selected to remove oxygen from the fuel, typically a hydrocarbon, while excluding the fuel. The membrane filter may be permeable or porous to the oxygen and, in a preferred embodiment, is of polytetraflouroethylene. Fuel with dissolved oxygen (typically from air) is flowed in contact with one surface of the membrane filter, and removed oxygen is collected from the opposite surface of the filter. The difference in the partial pressure of oxygen across the membrane filter may be controlled to regulate the driving force for moving oxygen through the membrane. Reduction of the oxygen concentration in jet fuel to less than 10 ppm at liquid space velocities of 100/hr and greater are attained.

Abstract: A flow-through vacuum degassing unit for degassing a liquid includes a vacuum chamber adapted to be connected to a source for creating a vacuum in the chamber, an inlet and an outlet connection for admitting and discharging liquid to be degassed, a tube for conducting the liquid through the chamber, wherein the tube is a gas permeable polymeric resin material, and a control circuit for operating the source for creating a vacuum in the chamber responsive to a sensed vacuum level in the chamber.

Abstract: In the event of an abnormal situation wherein a large volume of dehumidified air leaks to the housing chamber (10), aid is emitted at a pressure above that prescribed towards the air tank of the rear stage.

Abstract: A flow-through vacuum degassing unit for degassing a mobile phase includes a vacuum conduit adapted to be connected to a source for creating a vacuum in the conduit, an inlet port and an outlet port for admitting and discharging the mobile phase to be degassed, a degassing tube for conducting the mobile phase through the conduit, wherein the degassing tube is a gas-permeable, liquid impermeable material. In a particular embodiment, the degassing tube receives multiple mobile phases blended together in a discrete volume of desired composition.

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 not containing both aromatic substances and olefin substances is added to particle plastic substrate to form paste material is extruded and baked.

Abstract: An apparatus for degassing liquids comprises a cavity through which liquid is conducted, with gas being removed from the liquid through at least one of the limiting faces of the cavity by providing on the side of the face distal to the cavity a smaller pressure than within the cavity. The apparatus is characterized in that the limiting face between the cavity and the region having reduced pressure compared to the cavity is formed by at least one thin membrane, having a thickness of less than about 10 micrometers, and in that a porous support structure for supporting the membrane is provided. The degasser can be miniaturized and integrated into a liquid chromatograph.

Abstract: A flow-through vacuum degassing unit for degassing a liquid includes a vacuum chamber adapted to be connected to a source for creating a vacuum in the chamber, an inlet and an outlet connection for admitting and discharging liquid to be degassed, a tube for conducting the liquid through the chamber, wherein the tube is a gas permeable polymeric resin material, and a control circuit for operating the source for creating a vacuum in the chamber responsive to a sensed vacuum level in the chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for supplying a liquid raw material wherein the liquid raw material is deaerated and supplied from a liquid raw material container to a liquid flow control section, the method comprising passing the liquid raw material, supplied from a liquid raw material container by the pressure of a first inert gas, inside of a gas permeable synthetic resin tube, passing a second inert gas having a lower permeability into the synthetic resin tube than the first inert gas along the external surface of the synthetic resin tube whereby the first inert gas dissolved in the liquid raw material is allowed to penetrate into the outside of the synthetic resin tube and then supplying the liquid raw material to the liquid flow control section and an apparatus for supplying a liquid raw material which apparatus is used in the method. The invention ensures that inert gas dissolved in a liquid raw material can be removed easily and efficiently in a semiconductor manufacturing process using a liquid raw material.

Abstract: A method for removing and preventing discharge into the atmosphere of carbon dioxide from combustion gases and natural gas from installations for production of oil and/or gas, wherein the combustion gas is passed to an absorber containing a solvent, where carbon dioxide is absorbed in the solvent, and the thereby purified combustion gas, largely free of carbon dioxide, is released into the atmosphere, where the CO2 rich solvent is passed to a desorber where CO2 is removed from the solvent, and the thereby largely CO2-free solvent is recycled to the absorber, and the separated CO2 gas is passed to a compression stage for compression and utilization and/or disposal in a suitable manner, where membrane gas/liquid contactors are employed in both the absorber and the desorber, and that an external stripping steam is supplied to the desorber.

Abstract: A gas recovery device utilizes membranes of a gas permeable, liquid impermeable substance to strip gas from gas-containing liquids, such as brine in subterranean geological formations. The device includes a shell defined by perforated outer walls and a plurality of elongated permeation tubes. Only one end of the tubes is attached to a plenum with the tube lumina in fluid communication with the plenum. The remainder of the tubes is not anchored and therefore is free to move. Substantially liquid-free gas is removed from the plenum through a pipe to a remote facility for storage and use. The gas recovery device can be deployed within the casing of a well suspended by the product discharge pipe and immersed in gas-containing brine flowing from a natural geological formation. The brine seeps into the well casing and flows through the perforations to surround the permeation tubes.

Abstract: The present invention monitors and removes contaminants from dielectric fluids by utilizing an apparatus having a chamber and tube configuration. The chamber encloses a plurality of tubes which include porous hollow fibers with an inert polymer coating. Conduits route the dielectric fluid to and from operative equipment. An atmosphere control device creates an atmospheric condition within the chamber that causes contaminants within the dielectric fluid to migrate through the tubes into the chamber, thereby producing refined dielectric fluid. The method of the present invention removes contaminants from a dielectric fluid. The dielectric fluid is routed from operative equipment and passes through tubes enclosed within a chamber. An atmospheric condition is created within the chamber to cause contaminants within the dielectric fluid to migrate into the chamber. A refined dielectric fluid is produced which is directed back to the operative equipment.