Abstract: A process for reducing pollutants, particularly nitrogen oxides from combustion gases during a combustion process that takes place while oxygen is supplied, includes providing oxygen needed for the combustion process by separating oxygen from a gas mixture containing oxygen and nitrogen in a two-step process including (a) enriching the gas mixture with oxygen in a first step to provide an enriched gas mixture; and (b) separating oxygen out of the enriched gas mixture in a second step, wherein, during at least one step oxygen depleted gas mixture is removed via an outlet provided with permeability means that cause the outlet to have a higher permeability for nitrogen than oxygen.

Abstract: A novel spiral membrane arrangement is disclosed comprising opposing elongate filtration membrane units, spiraled about a base axis and separated by a novel lattice separator having spaced apart elongate primary laths which form fluid passageways, bridged by cross laths arranged to form a plurality of fluid shears spaced along the passageways which divide, deflect and/or disrupt gross fluid flow through the passageway, directing fluid against the membrane surface and creating a self cleaning functionality which improves the efficiency and the life of the life of the membrane arrangement.

Abstract: This invention relates to a miniaturizable separation module (dehumidifier, humidifier) utilizing the gas separation property of waterproof membranes having fine moisture-permeable through holes. The separation module according to the invention comprises: a cylindrical casing 10 installed at the wall of a moisture-proof and drip-proof box 4, so as to form a gas passage communicating the inside and the outside of the box; a plurality of waterproof membranes 1, 2, 3, having fine moisture-permeable through holes, disposed in the cylindrical casing at intervals of spacing, so as to form chambers 5, 6 in the gas passage; and conductive porous structures disposed in proximity of the waterproof membranes. The longitudinal section of the solid portion around the holes of the conductive porous structure is formed into an essentially egg-like shape, and the acute angle side of the egg-like longitudinal sectional shape is disposed so as to direct to the waterproof membrane.

Abstract: A mass transfer composite membrane for use with a fuel cell power plant includes a transfer medium core between opposed, rigid, porous support sheets. An inlet surface of the composite membrane is positioned in contact with an oxidant inlet stream of a fuel cell power plant, and an opposed exhaust surface of the composite membrane is positioned in contact with an exhaust stream exiting the fuel cell power plant to recover mass such as water from the exhaust stream and transfer it into the oxidant inlet stream entering the fuel cell. The transfer medium core may comprise any of a variety of materials for sorbing a fluid substance consisting of polar molecules such as water molecules from a fluid stream consisting of polar and non-polar molecules. A preferred transfer medium core is an ionomeric membrane such as a water saturated polyfluorosulfonic acid ionomer membrane.

Abstract: A membrane for dry metal-air chemical current sources which posses high oxygen permeability and provide high barrier properties toward water vapor. The invention includes a semipermeable porous asymmetric membrane based on vinylidene fluoride polymer comprising copolymer of vinylidene fluoride with tetrafluoroethylene at 8-70% mass content of tetrafluoroethylene, the membrane pore size being 0.0015-0.030 .mu.m, and the volume porosity being 35-60%, wherein said asymmetric membrane has a more dense porous structure on one side of the membrane than on another side of said membrane, and wherein the water vapor permeability is not more than 0.178 mg/h. cm.sup.2 and the oxygen permeability is not less than 2.70 m.sup.3 /m.sup.2 atm h.

Abstract: A method of making a solid filter material which filters a predetermined wavelength band from a broader spectrum of radiation is provided. The method includes creating a colloidal structure composed of particles dispersed within a medium, and introducing a solvent thereto. Thereafter, the solvent is evaporated and the remaining structure solidifies into a solid crystalline array. The particles can also be fused together by polymerization using one of several methods which are provided. In another embodiment, methods of filtering submicron particles have been developed which consists of establishing a gel membrane from a crystalline colloidal array with an interstice size less than or equal to the particles to be filtered are disclosed. The gel membrane may employ anisotropic interstices of submicron size and is stretchable or compressible mechanically.

Abstract: A steam reformer with internal hydrogen purification includes internal bulk hydrogen purification, internal hydrogen polishing to remove trace levels of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, an integrated combustion method utilizing waste gas to heat the reformer, efficient integration of heat transfer, and a compact design. One steam reformer shown includes a concentric cylindrical architecture nesting an annular combustion region, an annular reforming region, an annular hydrogen transport region, and a cylindrical polishing region. Other reformers shown include modified combustion systems distributed within a reformation region, isolated vaporization chambers, combustion systems providing uniform temperature gradient, and plate membrane construction methods.

Abstract: A dehumidifying device in which lower humidity can be achieved in a side to be dehumidified (a side of a box) and the stable continued effect can also be obtained without any dehumidifying effect which stays at a low level due to water vapor gas electrified by an electric panel accommodated in the box side, hydrogen gas existing in outside air, or other floating dusts easily electrified in the air or the like. The dehumidifying device comprises a tubular body provided in a wall section of a box and forming a vent path for air communication between inside and outside of the box, and a vent body formed by providing an electrically grounded conductive porous body adjacent to at least one side of a waterproof membrane having moisture-permeable micro-throughholes to make a pair therewith and arranging at least two pairs thereof at a space from each other inside said tubular body to shield an inside space of the vent path into at least one chamber in the direction from the box to the outside.

Abstract: A fuel storage system is provided including at least one storage tank, an air exhaust port, a first filter assembly, a primary pump, a least one secondary pump, at least one additional filter assembly, and an additional secondary pump. The first filter assembly includes a filter input port, a fuel vapor duct, a primary filter output port, and a secondary filter output port. The filter input port is coupled to a fluid vent port. The fuel vapor duct defines a substantially unobstructed flow path extending from the filter input port to a primary filter output port. The primary filter output port is coupled to a pollutant return port. The secondary filter output port is partitioned from the fuel vapor duct by an air-permeable partition. The primary pump is positioned to cause fluid to pass from the filter input port to the primary filter output port.

Abstract: An oxygen generating device (11, 211) to which a gas mixture containing oxygen is fed, and which is operable to separate the gas mixture into oxygen rich and oxygen depleted gas components, the device (11, 211) including a negative temperature coefficient material (36a 36b 36c; 236) which is active at an elevated temperature above a minimum operating temperature, to separate the gas mixture into oxygen rich and oxygen depleted gas components, there being an electronic control unit coupled to the device to pass an electrical current through the device (11, 211) to produce a heating effect within the device to heat the gas mixture at least towards the minimum operating temperature wherein the device includes a plurality of active sections (A, B, C) through each of which the gas mixture passes in turn, and the electrical current supply is connected to each of the sections (A, B, C) so that the sections electrically are connected in series.

Abstract: An apparatus designed to separate mixtures of materials by use of a stack of spaced membrane elements (11) in the form of membrane cells having bore (112) through which the permeate (130) is discharged. The device (10) includes a feed inlet (14) for the mixture plus discharge outlets (16) for the retentate (17) and permeate (13), and the mixture flowing over the surfaces (110, 11, 180, 181) of the membrane elements (11) in chambers (150) between element (18). Fitted between each pair of membrane elements (11) or between the membrane (11) and deflection (18) elements is an annular support element (19) which surrounds the bore (112) through the membrane element (11) or deflection element (18), the seal between the support element (19) and the membrane (11) or deflection (18) element being formed by a sealing element (191) fitted round the outer circumference (190) of the support element (19).

Abstract: An inorganic filter element for filtering a fluid medium in order to recover a filtrate, the filter element being of the type including an inorganic rigid porous support of cylindrical shape having a longitudinal central axis, and channels formed in the support parallel to its central axis and presenting respective surfaces each covered in at least one separator layer that is intended to come into contact with the fluid medium, and at least some "peripheral" ones of the channels. The channels have their centers situated on a circle that is coaxial about the central axis and present a peripheral wall situated facing the outside surface of the support and co-operating therewith to define a direct through passage for the filtrate, and at least one radial wall co-operating with the facing radial wall of an adjacent channel to define a partition, the walls being interconnected by connection fillets. The channels also have a transverse cross-section that is non-circular.

Abstract: A separation module uses a series of separation elements with interconnecting hardware that greatly reduces the time necessary for assembly of interconnected elements and the machining or preparation of an extended part of the module inside diameter for acceptance of the elements. The elements use an interconnection between the modules that provides a sliding seal for first engaging adjacent modules and allowing alignment while a secondary seal is brought into contact and locked to provide a rigid axial attachment between the separation elements. The module arrangement further uses a single outer seal near the end of the module into which the separation elements are inserted to reduce the amount of machining, honing, or sleeving necessary to seal the module against by-passing of feed or impermeable components.

Abstract: An intravenous filter device comprises a filter housing having a front side, a back side, a first end, a second end, an inlet and an outlet, the housing containing a hydrophilic filtration media and defining a flow path such that intravenous fluid entering the housing through the inlet passes through the filtration media before passing out of the housing through the outlet. Inlet and outlet tubing connectors, both preferably attached to the front side of the filter housing, form, respectively, the housing inlet and outlet. In the preferred embodiment the connectors are raised above the front side or the housing such that tubing connected to the connectors does not intersect the front side of the housing. At least one vent hole in the housing provides a passageway for gas to escape from the housing, the vent hole being preferably open to the front side of the housing.

Abstract: This invention is a composite membrane for chemical synthesis, a chemical reactor into which the composite membrane might be incorporated, and a method of using the composite membrane. The composite membrane comprises a substrate, a first side, and a second side, wherein the substrate operatively connects the first side and second side, the first side comprises an oxidizing catalyst and the second side comprises a reducing catalyst. The reducing catalyst comprises, in elemental or combinative form, lanthanum, zinc, cerium, praeseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, bismuth, or indium. A chemical reactor utilizing this composite membrane can react hydrogen and oxygen to form hydrogen peroxide without direct mixture of the reactants.

Abstract: Processes and systems to recover at least one perfluorocompound gas from a gas mixture are provided. In one embodiment the inventive process comprises the steps of a) providing a gas mixture comprising at least one perfluorocompound gas and at least one carrier gas, the gas mixture being at a predetermined pressure; b) providing at least one glassy polymer membrane having a feed side and a permeate side; c) contacting the feed side of the at least one membrane with the gas mixture; d) withdrawing from the feed side of the membrane as a non-permeate stream at a pressure which is substantially equal to the predetermined pressure a concentrated gas mixture comprising essentially the at least one perfluorocompound gas; and e) withdrawing from the permeate side of the membrane as a permeate stream a depleted gas mixture comprising essentially the at least one carrier gas.

Abstract: A basic structure for a liquid chromatography degasser, includes a supporting structure with a perimeter encompassing an opening in which support ribs are arranged. The opening is covered by a membrane made from a material with a good permeability index. Two basic structures are combined to form a basic module. A liquid chromatography degasser comprises at least one or a plurality of basic modules, which are stacked on top of each other, whereby a micro-vacuum-pump is arranged at the top of the stack, and an inlet and an outlet for the liquid being degassed are provided at the bottom of the stack.

Abstract: The invention produces essentially pure nitrogen from air by an intermittent, automatic, and unattended process. Air is filtered, compressed and enters a nitrogen module containing a permeable membrane that selectively separates nitrogen from the air and discharges oxygen and other gases. Automated temperature and pressure controls allow the permeable membrane to separate air components. A discharge hose allows use of the nitrogen product for a variety of intermittent applications including vending for inflation of tires, filling portable nitrogen vessels, and use in manufacturing processes.

Abstract: Planar solid-state membrane modules for separating oxygen from an oxygen-containing gaseous mixture which provide improved pneumatic and structural integrity and ease of manifolding. The modules are formed from a plurality of planar membrane units, each membrane unit which comprises a channel-free porous support having connected through porosity which is in contact with a contiguous dense mixed conducting oxide layer having no connected through porosity. The dense mixed conducting oxide layer is placed in flow communication with the oxygen-containing gaseous mixture to be separated and the channel-free porous support of each membrane unit is placed in flow communication with one or more manifolds or conduits for discharging oxygen which has been separated from the oxygen-containing gaseous mixture by permeation through the dense mixed conducting oxide layer of each membrane unit and passage into the manifolds or conduits via the channel-free porous support of each membrane unit.

Abstract: A dehumidifier used to remove moisture from a sealed container by isolating a ventilation passage, which is provided in the sealed container, in a plurality of stages by water-vapor permeable waterproof films so that the interior of the ventilation passage has a gradient of density of vapor, and moves the vapor particles from the interior of the container toward the outside air. A structure provided with a cylindrical member fixed to a wall of a box and forming a ventilation passage allowing communication between the interior and exterior of the box, and a bottomed multiplex cylindrical ventilation member. The walls of the ventilation member are formed by first and second waterproof films having minute water-vapor permeable through holes. The bottomed cylindrical ventilation member being provided in the cylindrical member, whereby the ventilation passage is isolated in three stages from the inner portion of the container toward the outer portion thereof.

Abstract: There are disclosed improvements in multicomponent composite metal membranes useful for the separation of hydrogen, the improvements comprising the provision of at least one common-axis hole through all components of the composite membrane and the provision of a gas-tight seal around the periphery of the hole or holes through a coating metal layer of the membrane.

Abstract: An oxygen generating device to which a gas mixture containing oxygen is fed, and which is operable to separate the gas mixture into oxygen rich and oxygen depleted gas components, the device comprising a first material which when at an elevated temperature at or above a minimum operating temperature, is active to separate the gas mixture into oxygen rich and oxygen depleted gas components wherein a second material is provided which produces a heating effect within the device when an electrical current passes therethrough, to heat the gas mixture at least when the gas mixture is at a temperature below the minimum operating temperature.

Abstract: Essentially pure nitrogen gas is produced from air and stored by an intermittent, automatic, and unattended process that is compact and self contained. Air is first filtered, compressed and enters a nitrogen module containing a permeable membrane that selectively separates nitrogen from the air and discharges oxygen and other gases. The nitrogen gas then flows into a vessel for storage. The apparatus is enclosed in a housing where automated temperature and pressure controls allows the permeable membrane to separate air components. A discharge hose allows use of the nitrogen product for a variety of intermittent applications including vending for inflation of tires, filling portable nitrogen vessels, and use in other processes needing intermittent and automatic manufacture of nitrogen gas.

Abstract: The membrane deaerator according to the present invention includes a plurality of membrane deaerator modules and a water sealed vacuum pump connected thereto. These modules are series-connected between a raw water supply line and a deaeration water supply line. A first vacuum pump is connected to a first deaerator module via a deaeration line, and a second vacuum pump is connected to a second deaerator module via the deaeration line. These vacuum pumps are each provided with a seal water supply line which is used to send the raw water introduced from the water supply line thereinto as seal water to each of the first and second vacuum pumps. A discharge line for the second vacuum pump is connected to the deaeration line for the first vacuum pump. In the membrane deaerator thus formed, the deaeration performance is improved greatly, and a deaeration with dissolved oxygen concentration of several PPB can be carried out.

Abstract: An electrically powered dehumidifier is provided which has no moving mechanical parts. The dehumidifier employs convection of a deliquescent solution around a fluid circuit having vapor permeable windows. The apparatus is driven by a solid state electronic heat pump, such as a Peltier effect solid-state heat pump, for example.

Abstract: Membrane disk assemblies include membrane disks which have feed and residue apertures formed through and bounded entirely by a perimetrical edge region of the disk. Preferably, the feed and residue apertures are formed though a fluid-impermeable support rim positioned in the perimetrical edge region of the membrane disk which serves to sealably bond the exterior membrane sheets and at least one interposed permeate carrier sheet one to another. Most preferably, the support rim includes inwardly directed lobes through which the feed and residue apertures are formed. The membrane disks will also include a central permeate aperture in fluid communication with the carrier sheet interposed between the pair of membrane sheets. When a number of such membrane disks are assembled in stacked relationship with the feed, residue and central permeate apertures registered, there will be formed respective feed, residue and permeate passageways through the stack.

Abstract: A stacked membrane disk module has a number of membrane disks interleaved with seal rings and includes a biasing subassembly for maintaining a compressive force between the membrane disks and interleaved seal rings so that the module can be repeatedly pressurized/depressurized. The membrane disks preferably include a central first aperture and a pair of second apertures which are radially spaced from the central first aperture. These apertures will thus be respectively registered when a number of such membrane disks are stacked between a pair of end plates so as to establish a central fluid passageway and a pair of second fluid passageways. A rigid perforated tube is positioned within the central fluid aperture and is connected to the end plates so that at least one of the end plates is capable of being axially displaced relative to the perforated tube. A biasing member (e.g.

Abstract: A process for supplying a flow of nitrogen to a site having flowrate requirements varying between a nominal flowrate and a range situated thereabove comprising: a) passing compressed air into a main line in a separating assembly formed by at least two membrane separation lines mounted in parallel, wherein at least one of the separation lines can be shut off from the main line, the separating assembly having one of the following configurations: a1) when the flowrate requirements are situated at a level of the nominal flowrate, all of the membrane separators of the assembly are in operation, none of the separating lines being shut off; a2) when the flowrate requirements of the site exceed a predetermined flowrate, at least one of the lines of the separating assembly is shut off, keeping at least one separation line and its membrane separator in operation; b) advancing nitrogen gas obtained at the outlet side of each of the membrane separators to a collector connected downstream of the main line; c) evacuating g

Abstract: A module for separating at least one component from a flowing mixture containing the same, includes a pair of end plates between which a plurality of stacked separation disks are positioned. The separation disks separate at least one component from the flowing mixture and defines a central passageway therethrough. A tensionable conduit is disposed in the fluid passageway to define a pathway for the separated component through at least one of said end plates and cause the end plates to exert a compressive force to the stacked separation disks in response to the conduit being tensioned. In preferred embodiments, the tensionable conduit includes a single or double helix spring which is machined along a major axial extent of its length. An adjustment nut may thus be threadably coupled to at least one (nonmachined) end portion of the conduit so as to adjustably tension the conduit and translate such tension into compressive force exerted to the stack of membranes by the end plates.

Abstract: A cartridge containing a plurality of hollow fiber membranes is disclosed. The cartridge comprises a plurality of fibers arranged in a bundle and at least one end of the bundle embedded in a tubesheet. The tubesheets are fitted with end caps to provide a chamber for the permeate. A feed tube extends longitudinally through the bundle and a permeate discharge tube is housed, preferably concentrically, within a feed tube. The cartridge does not require a high pressure seal, such as an O-ring seal, against the inner wall of the pressure vessel. The cartridge is configured as a single unit adapted for simple drop-in installation into a pressure vessel. Multiple cartridges may readily be inserted into a pressure vessel, and arranged so as to operate in series or in parallel. The hollow fiber membrane cartridge is adapted for industrial performance with high volumetric efficiency and high solute rejection.

Abstract: A composite semipermeable membrane comprising microporous adsorbent material supported by a porous substrate is operated in series with a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system and the PSA reject gas is used as a sweep gas to improve membrane performance. The integrated membrane-PSA system is particularly useful for recovering high-purity hydrogen from a mixture of hydrogen and hydrocarbons, and is well-suited for integration with a steam-methane reformer.

Abstract: A hollow fiber blood oxygenator is provided having an plurality of enclosed, coaxial heat exchanger coils, having a common header to insure uniform temperature in the coils. An enclosed fiber bundle is concentrically positioned inside the heat exchanger coils to define a flow path around the coils and through the fiber bundle. The heat exchanger coils and the outside of the fiber bundle are tapered to provide a close fit. Gas manifolds direct gas flow to and from the hollow fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for separating component gases in a gas mixture employing a glassy polymer membrane at temperatures of 5.degree. C. or less so as to achieve superior separation of gas components.

Abstract: A process and system for pressurizing a vessel for integrity testing with gas comprising helium, recovering the gas comprising helium, and purifying the gas comprising helium for reuse. The process for purifying the gas stream comprising helium comprises drying the gas stream; separating the dried gas stream in a membrane separator stage into a helium-enriched permeate product stream and a helium-depleted raffinate stream; recovering helium in the raffinate stream in a membrane stripper stage thereby producing a purge stream; and purging water from the dryer with the purge stream.

Abstract: A reservoir for use in a hydraulic circuit is disclosed which includes a passive gas separating medium to separate gas from the hydraulic fluid as it circulates through the reservoir. The gas separating medium, which may be a membrane-type diffuser, is permeable to air, but not hydraulic fluid. This allows entrained air to diffuse through the membrane element after which it may be expelled to the atmosphere. The membrane diffuser is located within the reservoir housing in a low-pressure portion of the hydraulic circuit in a space between spaced apart double walls of the reservoir such that hydraulic fluid returning to the reservoir must first pass through the membrane. The membrane may have several concentric or spiral layers, depending upon the capacity of the circuit. Gas separated from the hydraulic fluid is withdrawn from the membrane diffuser structure and may be vented to atmosphere through a valve associated with the reservoir housing.

Abstract: The apparatus includes two permeators mounted in series, namely a simple permeator with an inlet and two outlets, and a reflux permeator. The production gas results from the combination of the two permeated products. Application to the production of impure hydrogen.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide and water vapor are continuously removed by a venting membrane system which employs porous membranes and a liquid amine based sorbent, and which has a partial pressure gradient across the porous membranes. The partial pressure gradient induces absorption of carbon dioxide and water vapor from a gaseous stream, transport of the absorbed carbon dioxide through the pores of the membrane or to a second membrane, and desorption of the absorbed carbon dioxide.

Abstract: The different compartments of the preserving vessel are sequentially supplied with a controlled atmosphere by means of a first permeator providing a controlled atmosphere with an oxygen content of about 2% for the step of loading the compartment, then by means of an another separator providing a controlled atmosphere with an oxygen content which does not exceed 1% for a phase of extended conservation. The separators are typically of the type with a membrane and are supplied through a group of common compression, and the oxygen contents of the gases which are provided are controlled by means of flow limiters located downstream.

Abstract: A hollow fiber blood oxygenator is provided having a plurality of enclosed, coaxial heat exchanger coils, having a common header to insure uniform temperature in the coils. An enclosed fiber bundle is concentrically positioned inside the heat exchanger coils to define a flow path around the coils and through the fiber bundle. The heat exchanger coils and the outside of the fiber bundle are tapered to provide a close fit. Gas manifolds direct gas flow to and from the hollow fibers.

Abstract: A color photographic light-sensitive material which comprises a support having thereon at least a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, a yellow filter layer and a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, the red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer being positioned farther from the support than the yellow filter layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of masked subtractive positive color images in accordance with the silver dye bleach process. In the material to be processedA. a silver halide emulsion layer consisting at least partially of silver iodide is allocated to the dyestuff, of which the undesired parasitic color density is to be compensated,B. in a further layer, at least one second dyestuff, of which the main color density corresponds to a parasitic color density, requiring compensation, of the first dyestuff, and a silver halide emulsion free from iodide ions, are present,C. a further layer, which is adjacent to that containing the second dyestuff, contains colloidal nuclei which are capable of depositing metallic silver from soluble silver complexes,D. a separating layer is present between the layer containing the nuclei and the dyestuff layer, of which the parasitic color density is to be compensated.

Abstract: A color photographic material having three light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layers separately sensitized to different regions of the spectrum and containing an each colorless coupler for the production of partial color images, is partly fogged in one of said layers to produce on color development in unexposed areas a color fog with a density of between 0.25 and 0.75 suited to compensate for undesired side densities of the image dye in one or more of the other of said layers.

Abstract: A multilayer color photographic material with improved color reproduction comprising a support having thereon at least two photosensitive silver halide emulsion layers which provide color images having different colors from each other, the multilayer color photographic material containing at least one interlayer color correction coupler as defined hereinafter.