Barriers Connected In Series Patents (Class 96/9)
  • Patent number: 11679356
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a CO2 selective gas separation membrane and a method for preparing the gas separation membrane and the use thereof. The CO2 selective gas separation membrane comprises a gas permeable or porous support layer; and at least one gas permeable polymer layer, which is surface modified with polymer chains having CO2 philic groups, wherein the gas permeable polymer layer has a spatially controlled distribution of the CO2 philic groups on the surface thereof. The method of preparing the CO2 selective gas separation membrane, comprises the steps of: depositing at least one gas permeable polymer layer on a porous or gas permeable support layer to form a dense membrane, and surface modifying the dense membrane with polymer chains having CO2 philic groups, to obtain spatially controlled distribution of the CO2 philic groups on the surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: SINTEF TTO AS
    Inventors: Marius Sandru, Eugenia Mariana Sandru, Per Martin Stenstad
  • Patent number: 11524265
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide separation membrane according to the present invention includes: an ionic liquid affinitive porous layer (C) having an ionic liquid-containing liquid (A) retained in voids; and an ionic liquid non-affinitive porous layer (B). The ionic liquid affinitive porous layer (C) may contain inorganic materials (for example, metal oxide particles having an average particle size of about 0.001 to 5 ?m on a number basis). An average thickness of the ionic liquid affinitive porous layer (C) may be about from 0.01 to 10 ?m. The ionic liquid affinitive porous layer (C) may include the ionic liquid-containing liquid (A) at a ratio from 0.1 to 99 parts by volume with respect to 100 parts by volume of voids. It may be a carbon dioxide separation membrane for fertilizing plants with carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide separation membrane can reduce a size of the carbon dioxide concentrating device and enables smooth operation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: DAICEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshikazu Nakamura, Masao Iwaya, Takamasa Suzuki, Tomohiro Goto
  • Patent number: 11489177
    Abstract: A humidifier is provided having a humidifier module which is arranged between end plates and has a steam-permeable membrane, wherein on each of the two sides of the membrane, a flow field frame having a plurality of bridges defining a flow field is arranged, and between each flow field frame and the membrane a seal is arranged. A motor vehicle with a fuel cell device having a humidifier is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AG
    Inventor: Rune Staeck
  • Patent number: 11486637
    Abstract: A system includes a first separator that separates water from a fluid material. The water settles on the bottom of the water knock-out tank. The system includes multiple compressors to boost the pressure of the fluid material. The system includes a second separator that separates condensate from the fluid material. The system includes a mixing pipe that mixes glycol with the fluid material and a first heat exchanger that cools the mixed fluid material and glycol. The system includes a third separator that separates gaseous components and liquid components of the mixed fluid material and glycol and a fourth separator that separates the liquid components of the mixed fluid material and glycol. The system includes a fractional distillation column that heats a first liquid from the fourth separator, gasifying a first portion of the first liquid. A second portion of the first liquid remains liquid and is natural gas liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Coldstream Energy IP, LLC
    Inventors: Erik Woodward, Gerald Scott Meinecke
  • Patent number: 11435794
    Abstract: A cooling system for a datacenter is disclosed. An evaporative cooling subsystem provides blown air for cooling the datacenter and a repurposable refrigerant cooling subsystem controls moisture of the blown air in a first configuration and independently cools the datacenter in a second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ali Heydari
  • Patent number: 11305135
    Abstract: A process for converting post-explosion gases of an inhabitable level, low-oxygen ambient environment to a breathable mixture for human consumption comprises receiving a flow of post-explosion gas with oxygen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, and methane. The oxygen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide are removed from the from the flow of post-explosion gas to create both a mixture including oxygen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide; and a residual stream including nitrogen and methane. The oxygen is removed from the mixture of oxygen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide, and concentrated in a primary oxygen storage canister. The nitrogen is removed from the residual stream and stored in a nitrogen storage canister separate from the oxygen storage canister. The methane is vented back to the inhabitable level, low-oxygen ambient environment. The stored oxygen and nitrogen are metered through a breathing mask at a habitable level of 19-21% oxygen to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Inventors: Richard Givens, Jerome A. Klein, David L. McDorman, James J. Reuther, Jeremy D. Seidt
  • Patent number: 11285424
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet material and filter element, where the sheet material and the filter element have a hydrophobic separating layer, and also to use thereof and to a process for production of same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventors: Eberhard Wünn, Thomas Friese, Benjamin Schneider, Mario Strauss
  • Patent number: 10717053
    Abstract: A method for producing a laminated complex according to one embodiment of the present invention is a method for producing a laminated complex that includes a sheet-shaped or tube-shaped porous support and a semipermeable membrane layer stacked on an outer surface of the support, the method including a coating step of coating an outer surface of the support with a semipermeable membrane layer-forming composition in which a fluororesin is dispersed in a solvent; an immersing step of immersing the coated surface of the support in water after the coating step; and a heating step of heating water in which the support is immersed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC FINE POLYMER, INC.
    Inventors: Fumihiro Hayashi, Yasuhiko Muroya
  • Patent number: 10053634
    Abstract: An input stream of gaseous nitrogen and carbon dioxide is introduced into a first interior volume of a separation vessel that is divided into first and second interior volumes by a separation membrane that includes a metal layer. The metal layer selectively permits movement of nitrogen through the metal layer. An output stream of gaseous nitrogen and carbon dioxide is conveyed out of the first interior volume and into a reaction vessel. The volume fraction of carbon dioxide is greater in the output stream than in the input stream; the volume fraction of nitrogen is reduced in the output stream relative to the input stream. Nitrogen is removed from the second interior volume to maintain a gradient of nitrogen partial pressure across the separation membrane that causes net transport of nitrogen from the first interior volume through the separation membrane into the second interior volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: ECOKAP TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Paul E. King, Jennifer Wilcox
  • Patent number: 10047306
    Abstract: The invention relates to membrane gas separation, in particular to a method of fractionating mixtures of low molecular weight hydrocarbons based on the capillary condensation of the mixture components in the pores of microporous membranes having uniform porosity and a pore diameter of 5 to 250 nm, wherein, for capillary condensation, the temperature of the membrane and the pressure on the permeate side are kept below the temperature and the pressure of the feed mixture. The method provides significantly increasing membrane permeability with respect to condensable components, and also component separation factors, while also allowing to avoid deep cooling of the gas stream fed to a membrane module, and to carry out gas separation under insignificant cooling of the membrane on the permeate side (down to -50° C.). The invention provides for energy-efficient fractionation of hydrocarbon mixtures, including separation and drying of natural and associated petroleum gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Rosneft Oil Company
    Inventors: Andrey Anatolievich Eliseev, Dmitriy Igorevich Petukhov, Artem Anatolievich Eliseev, Viktor Andreevich Brotcman, Alexey Viktorovich Lukashin
  • Patent number: 9859575
    Abstract: A humidifier is provided with a housing and a stacked unit inserted into the housing that is provided with water vapor-permeable membranes and frame parts, wherein the frame parts are stacked on each other and the water vapor-permeable membranes are arranged between the frame parts, respectively, so that the water vapor-permeable membranes are stacked on top of each other and are spaced apart from each other. The housing has supports that hold the stacked unit. The supports and the frame parts are connected to each other by a connection that is made of laterally projecting connecting tabs and a receiving groove extending in vertical direction, wherein the connecting tabs engage the receiving groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Fasold, Thomas Tschech, Armando Labarta
  • Patent number: 9433888
    Abstract: A first gas present at low concentration in a source gas is recovered from the source gas (comprising a fast first gas and a slow second gas) at a relatively high recovery using a particular scheme of three gas separation membrane stages. The non-permeate from the first stage is a product gas comprising the slow gas. The second stage feeds non-permeate to the third stage. The third stage non-permeate is combined with the gas fed to the first stage. The permeate from the second stage is divided into two portions. The second portion is a product gas comprising the fast gas. The first portion is combined with the permeates from the first and third stages and the combination is compressed and fed to the second stage. The invention is particularly applicable for separation of Helium from natural gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme Pour L'Étude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Sudhir S. Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 9011580
    Abstract: Techniques are generally described herein for the design and manufacture of hydrogen generation apparatuses and systems. Other embodiments may also be disclosed and claimed. Some methods described herein pressing together a first end plate, one or more intermediate plates, and a second end plate using a press to form a hydrogen purifier module, and placing a plurality of clips around the hydrogen purifier module to hold the first end plate, the one or more intermediate plates, and the second end plate together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Azur Energy LLC
    Inventor: David Edlund
  • Patent number: 8999038
    Abstract: The invention relates to a specific apparatus, more particularly a chain of gas separation membrane modules, for separation of gas mixtures into two fractions each of elevated purity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Evonik Fibres GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Ungerank, Goetz Baumgarten, Markus Priske, Harald Roegl
  • Patent number: 8968566
    Abstract: A novel separator assembly for a spiral flow reverse osmosis apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the separator assembly comprises a central core element comprising at least two permeate exhaust conduits and not comprising a concentrate exhaust conduit. Each permeate exhaust conduit defines an exhaust channel and one or more openings allowing fluid communication between an exterior surface of the permeate exhaust conduit and the exhaust channel, said permeate exhaust conduits independently defining a cavity between said conduits. The cavity is configured to accommodate a first portion of a membrane stack assembly comprising at least one feed carrier layer, at least two permeate carrier layers, and at least two membrane layers. A first portion of the membrane stack assembly is disposed within the cavity, and a second portion of the membrane stack assembly is wound around the central core element and forms a multilayer membrane assembly disposed around the central core element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Philip Paul Beauchamp, Michael Kent Cueman, Daniel Jason Erno, Todd Alan Anderson, Dean David Marschke
  • Publication number: 20150027305
    Abstract: A gas separation method includes contacting a membrane filter with gas feed, permeating the gas from the gas feed through the membrane, and producing filtered gas from the filter. The filtered gas is produced from the filter as a result of the membrane removing any hydrocarbons containing six or more carbon atoms to produce a total of 0.001 ppm w/w or less. A gas separation method includes feeding gas into a filter containing a hollow fiber membrane that exhibits the property of resisting degradation due to exposure to hydrocarbons containing six or more carbon atoms. The filter exhibits a pressure drop across the membrane of less than 5 psi. The method includes feeding the filtered gas into a gas separation module that exhibits a susceptibility to degradation from exposure to hydrocarbons containing six or more carbon atoms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Barbara J Evosevich, Ivana Jojic
  • Patent number: 8940084
    Abstract: A gas adsorbing device (5a) according to the present invention includes a gas adsorbing material (9) that adsorbs at least nitrogen and a housing container (11) that has a long, thin, flat, tubular shape and is made of metal and in which both sides of a housing portion (10) configured to house the gas adsorbing material (9) under reduced pressure are sealed. A contact portion (13) where opposing inner surfaces of the housing container (11) are in close contact with each other is located between at least one of seal portions (12a and 12b) of the housing container (11) and the housing portion (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Kojima, Masahiro Koshiyama, Masamichi Hashida, Asaaki Yasuda
  • Patent number: 8911535
    Abstract: A process for efficiently removing carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbon containing feed stream utilizing a membrane separation unit in conjunction with a heat exchanger and a carbon dioxide separation unit wherein the streams obtained in the carbon dioxide separation unit are utilized to provide the cooling effect in the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Sudhir S. Kulkarni, Edgar S. Sanders, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8906143
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a membrane separation apparatus that includes an integrated filter element and a membrane element housed within a single vessel. The vessel is configured to allow liquids to be trapped and removed from the vessel, and gases to flow to and through the membrane element. The apparatus is useful in the conditioning of fuel gas to separate methane from C2+ hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala
  • Patent number: 8906137
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for separating oxygen from an oxygen containing gas. It comprises a membrane unit (12), and an electrode unit (24). The membrane unit (12) comprises a porous substrate (20), a dense membrane (14) and at least one electrode (18), wherein the porous substrate (20) is directed towards the electrode unit (24), and wherein the electrode unit (24) comprises at least one electrode comprising at least one rotatable electrode wing (26) being at least partially electrically conductive. An arrangement according to the invention allows to separate oxygen with improved efficiency and improved convenience with respect to maintenance and noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Rainer Hilbig, Mareike Klee, Wilhelmus Cornelis Keur
  • Publication number: 20140345457
    Abstract: The invention relates to a special apparatus, in particular linkage of gas separation membrane modules, and a special method for separating gas mixtures containing helium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: EVONIK FIBRES GMBH
    Inventors: Joerg Balster, Markus Ungerank, Ingrid Winette Velthoen
  • Patent number: 8882886
    Abstract: An aircraft fuel tank flammability reduction method includes contacting a membrane filter with air feed, permeating oxygen and nitrogen from the air feed through the membrane, and producing filtered air from the filter. The filtered air is produced from the filter as a result of the membrane removing any hydrocarbons containing six or more carbon atoms to produce a total of 0.001 ppm w/w or less. An air separation method includes feeding air into a filter containing a hollow fiber membrane that exhibits the property of resisting degradation due to exposure to hydrocarbons containing six or more carbon atoms. The filter exhibits a pressure drop across the membrane of less than 5 psi. The method includes feeding the filtered air into an air separation module containing a hollow fiber membrane that exhibits a susceptibility to degradation from exposure to hydrocarbons containing six or more carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Barbara J Evosevich, Ivana Jojic
  • Patent number: 8876947
    Abstract: A method and a device for reducing the humidity of a gas in a housing interior, in particular in a battery housing interior, includes leading a gas through a first selectively permeable membrane and into an intermediate space. The intermediate space has the first selectively permeable membrane as an inlet and a second selectively permeable membrane as an outlet. The gas is then cooled in the intermediate space by a cooling unit such that a water vapor portion of the gas is condensed into water and the gas having a reduced water vapor content is directed through the second selectively permeable membrane into the housing interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Reitzle, Ulrich Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 8876945
    Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments of the present invention, an improved liquid degassing membrane contactor or module includes a high pressure housing and at least one degassing cartridge therein. It may be preferred that the high pressure housing is a standard, ASME certified, reverse osmosis (RO) or water purification pressure housing or vessel (made of, for example, polypropylene, polycarbonate, stainless steel, corrosion resistant filament wound fiberglass reinforced epoxy tubing, with pressure ratings of for example, 150, 250, 300, 400, or 600 psi, and with, for example 4 or 6 ports, and an end cap at each end) and that the degassing cartridge is a self-contained, hollow-fiber membrane cartridge adapted to fit in the RO high pressure housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Celgard, LLC
    Inventors: Gareth P. Taylor, Amitava Sengupta
  • Publication number: 20140318372
    Abstract: A system using membranes for separating a desired component from a liquid or gas mixture to obtain a high-concentration organic solvent, such as in a plant for fermenting a biomass feedstock (e.g., corn or sugarcane) to produce ethanol. A module for removing water from the ethanol/water mixture comprises multiple vessels or elements connected together in series and supported by a frame. Each element includes a number of flow tubes concentrically enclosing a tubular membrane leaving an annular space between the membrane's outer wall and the flow tube's inner wall. The preferred membrane is a hollow ceramic (e.g., zeolite) tube. An ethanol/water vapor is passed through the space between the tube walls, and a vacuum is pulled on the membrane's hollow core. Water molecules selectively move through the membrane. Multiple passes through a series of elements having the concentric tubes and membranes gradually reduces the water content of the ethanol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Floyd Butterfield
  • Publication number: 20140290479
    Abstract: In a gas separation apparatus that separates carbon dioxide and water vapor from a first mixture gas containing at least carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water vapor, the energy utilization efficiency thereof is improved. The gas separation apparatus is constructed to include a first separation membrane 33 and a second separation membrane 34 that are made of different materials. When the first mixture gas is supplied, the first separation membrane 33 separates a second mixture gas containing carbon dioxide and water vapor that permeate through the first separation membrane by allowing carbon dioxide and water vapor to permeate selectively. When the second mixture gas is supplied, the second separation membrane 34 separates water vapor that permeates through the second separation membrane 34 by allowing water vapor to permeate selectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: RENAISSANCE ENERGY RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: OSAMU OKADA, MASAAKI TERAMOTO, EIJI KAMIO, NOBUAKI HANAI, YASATO KIYOHARA
  • Publication number: 20140283683
    Abstract: A fluid separation apparatus is described, including a casing and a separation module. The casing includes a mixed fluid inlet, a separated fluid outlet through which a selectively separated fluid is discharged, and a residual fluid outlet. The separation module has a set of serially arranged separation elements disposed therein and is insertable into the casing from an end of the casing. The separation module includes a first connection jig disposed between adjacent separation elements second connection jigs disposed at two ends of the set of serially arranged separation elements, and a coupling jig coupling the first and the second connection jigs to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: JGC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Syuichi Oguro, Nobuhiro Yamada, Yasushi Fujimura
  • Publication number: 20140251128
    Abstract: A process and a plant for obtaining highly pure methane from biogas where biogas coming from a fermenter is compressed and fed to at least one membrane unit having a selectively permeable membrane, which provides a product gas stream containing an elevated proportion of methane and a gas stream containing a reduced proportion of methane. A quality sensor may be arranged in the outlet line for the highly pure product gas. A vacuum pump, the capacity of which can be regulated, may be connected to the low-pressure side of one of the membrane units. It is controlled by a control unit which receives its input signal from the quality sensor in the outlet line, and if the proportion of methane measured by the quality sensor falls below a certain value, the capacity of the vacuum pump is regulated so that the pressure difference at the membrane increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: EISENMANN AG
    Inventor: Lukas Graf
  • Patent number: 8828120
    Abstract: A device for separating a gas mixture into product gas and offgas by way of gas permeation includes four membrane units and a compressor connected upstream of the first membrane unit. The membrane units have a gas inlet, a retentate outlet and a permeate outlet. Lines connect the membrane units to each other and to the compressor. Product gas is obtained via the permeate outlet of the second membrane unit and offgas via the retentate outlet of the first membrane unit. Additional product gas is obtained via the retentate outlet of an upstream membrane unit and additional offgas is obtained via the permeate outlet of a further upstream membrane unit. A method includes use of the device to separate a gas mixture into product gas and offgas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Axiom Angewandte Prozesstechnik Ges. m.b.H.
    Inventors: Johannes Szivacz, Michael Harasek
  • Patent number: 8821618
    Abstract: A gas-adsorbing member is charged in low gas-permeable container (7) through its opening portion, wherein low gas-permeable container (7) is constituted by a hollow cylindrical metal member which is opened at its one end and is sealed at its other end and, also, has body portion (9) extending from the one end to the other end thereof such that the length of the body portion is equal to or larger than the maximum width of the end portions. Then, a sealing member is installed within the opening portion and near the opening portion. Then, the sealing member is molten by being heated. Thereafter, the sealing member within the opening portion is cooled to be solidified, thereby attaining sealing of the opening portion. Thus, it is possible to provide a gas-adsorbing-device fabricating method capable of suppressing degradations of the gas-adsorbing member and capable of reducing the fabrication costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Masamichi Hashida
  • Publication number: 20140238235
    Abstract: A membrane device and processes for fabrication and for using are disclosed. The membrane device may include a number of porous metal membranes that provide a high membrane surface area per unit volume. The membrane device provides various operation modes that enhance throughput and selectivity for mass exchange, mass transfer, separation, and/or filtration applications between feed flow streams and permeate flow streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Nathan L. Canfield
  • Publication number: 20140243572
    Abstract: A gaseous component is extracted non-cryogenically from a feed gas containing condensable hydrocarbons. The feed gas is passed first through a module containing polymeric fibers useful for removing water vapor from the gas. The gas is then passed through a module containing polymeric fibers selected such that they remove some, but not all, of the carbon dioxide in the stream. The gas is then passed through a module containing polymeric fibers selected to remove at least some of the remaining carbon dioxide as well as heavy hydrocarbons, defined as C5 and heavier, from the stream. The invention is especially useful in processing raw methane taken from a well, and in producing methane which is relatively free of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and heavy hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Generon IGS, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Straub, John A. Jensvold
  • Publication number: 20140238057
    Abstract: A contactor for an air temperature and humidity control device is provided including a plurality of contact modules. Each contact module has a generally porous sidewall configured to define an internal space through which a hygroscopic material flows. A first airstream passes over a first portion of the plurality of contact modules. A second airstream passes over a second portion of the plurality of contact modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Sherif Kandil, Zidu Ma, Rajiv Ranjan, Gary D. Winch
  • Patent number: 8814983
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for delivery of a target material and/or energy. The system includes a source configured to provide a mixture containing the target material and a non-target material, a delivery conduit coupled to the source to receive the mixture from the source, and an in-line extraction device concentric to the delivery conduit. The in-line extraction device is configured to selectively extract the target material and/or energy from the mixture in the delivery conduit and to delivery it to a downstream facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Patent number: 8795417
    Abstract: A method of producing a composite oxygen ion membrane and a composite oxygen ion membrane in which a porous fuel oxidation layer and a dense separation layer and optionally, a porous surface exchange layer are formed on a porous support from mixtures of (Ln1-xAx)wCr1-yByO3-? and a doped zirconia. In the porous fuel oxidation layer and the optional porous surface exchange layer, A is Calcium and in the dense separation layer A is not Calcium and, preferably is Strontium. Preferred materials are (La0.8Ca0.2)0.95Cr0.5Mn0.5O3-? for the porous fuel oxidation and optional porous surface exchange layers and (La0.8Sr0.2)0.95Cr0.5Fe0.5O3-? for the dense separation layer. The use of such materials allows the membrane to sintered in air and without the use of pore formers to reduce membrane manufacturing costs. The use of materials, as described herein, for forming the porous layers have application for forming any type of porous structure, such as a catalyst support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gervase Maxwell Christie, Jonathan A. Lane
  • Patent number: 8784531
    Abstract: In a gas separation apparatus that separates carbon dioxide and water vapor from a first mixture gas containing a predetermined major component gas, carbon dioxide, and water vapor, the energy utilization efficiency thereof is improved. Also, by utilizing the function of this gas separation apparatus, a membrane reactor and a hydrogen production apparatus exhibiting high energy utilization efficiency are provided. The gas separation apparatus is constructed to include a first separation membrane 33 and a second separation membrane 34 that are made of different materials. When the first mixture gas is supplied at a temperature of 100° C. or higher, the first separation membrane 33 separates a second mixture gas containing carbon dioxide and water vapor that permeate through the first separation membrane by allowing carbon dioxide and water vapor to permeate selectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Renaissance Energy Research Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Okada, Masaaki Teramoto, Eiji Kamio, Nobuaki Hanai, Yasato Kiyohara
  • Patent number: 8778055
    Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments of the present invention, an improved liquid degassing membrane contactor or module includes a high pressure housing and at least one degassing cartridge therein. It may be preferred that the high pressure housing is a standard, ASME certified, reverse osmosis (RO) or water purification pressure housing or vessel (made of, for example, polypropylene, polycarbonate, stainless steel, corrosion resistant filament wound fiberglass reinforced epoxy tubing, with pressure ratings of, for example, 150, 250, 300, 400, or 600 psi, and with, for example 4 or 6 ports, and an end cap at each end) and that the degassing cartridge is a self-contained, hollow-fiber membrane cartridge adapted to fit in the RO high pressure housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Celgard LLC
    Inventors: Gareth P. Taylor, Amitava Sengupta
  • Patent number: 8778057
    Abstract: Includes gas adsorption device (1) in which gas adsorbent (3) is decompression-sealed by first package (4) with poor gas permeability, and second package (2) with poor gas permeability. Second package (2) is at least partially flexible. Air that is a gas that gas adsorbent (3) can adsorb is filled between gas adsorption device (1) and second package (2). In this configuration, gas adsorbent (3) adsorbs air when first package (4) is damaged, and thus a pressure inside second package (2) reduces. Due to this pressure reduction, the shape or dimension of second package (2) changes. Any damage to first package (4), i.e., any degradation in adsorption capacity of gas adsorption device (1), can thus be determined by confirming this change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Masamichi Hashida
  • Patent number: 8758488
    Abstract: Vents for containers include a perforated substrate portion (20) of polymer material over which is thermally bonded a gas permeable membrane (30). The thermal bond (31) is direct and adhesive-free so that there is no adhesive available for chemical attachment by materials within the containers (58) and no opportunity for an adhesive to interfere with or block perforations through the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Nuclear Filter Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry J. Wickland
  • Publication number: 20140144318
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing a humidity gradient across a water selective permeable membrane in a dehumidification unit. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification unit is extracted by the dehumidification unit without substantial condensation into a low pressure water vapor chamber operating at a partial pressure of water vapor lower than the partial pressure of water vapor in the relatively humid atmospheric air. For example, water vapor is extracted through a water permeable membrane of the dehumidification unit into the low pressure water vapor chamber. As such, the air exiting the dehumidification unit is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification unit. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is subsequently condensed and removed from the system at ambient conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: David E. Claridge, Charles H. Culp
  • Patent number: 8728181
    Abstract: The inventive stage system for producing hydrogen consists of at least two upstream/downstream stages, respectively, each of which comprises, optionally, a catalytic reactor (C1 to C5) followed by a separator comprising a space (E1 to E4) for circulation of a gaseous mixture contacting at least one oxygen extracting membrane and a hydrogen collecting space, wherein the reactor (C1) of the upstream stage is connected to a reaction gaseous mixture source, the circulation stage (E1) of the upstream stage separator is connected to the reactor (C2) of the downstream stage and the spaces for extracting/collecting oxygen from two separators are connected to a hydrogen collecting circuit (TC, 8) which is common for two stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Compagnie Europeenne des Technologies de l'Hydrogene (C.E.T.H.)
    Inventors: Eric Gernot, Arnaud Deschamps
  • Patent number: 8721766
    Abstract: A porously coated, densely sintered ceramic membrane, which can be produced from a green membrane and subsequent sintering. The membrane is coated with ceramic material, which contains noble metals, which can be produced by application and subsequent thermal treatment. The noble metals are contained at a concentration of 2.5 to 5 mass percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp UHDE GmbH
    Inventors: Steffen Schirrmeister, Bernd Langanke, Bjoern Hoting
  • Patent number: 8715391
    Abstract: A high temperature filter containing a membrane, a support substrate, and a porous adhesive layer. The porous adhesive layer is adjacent the inner surface of the membrane and the inner surface of the support substrate such that the membrane and the support substrate sandwich the porous adhesive layer. The porous adhesive layer comprises an adhesive having an adhesive operating temperature of at least about 450° F. The support substrate is a woven textile, a non-woven textile, a knit textile, or a film, and has a support operating temperature of at least about 500° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Yunzhang Wang, Paul J. Wesson, Kirkland W. Vogt
  • Publication number: 20140116249
    Abstract: An aircraft fuel tank flammability reduction method includes contacting a membrane filter with air feed, permeating oxygen and nitrogen from the air feed through the membrane, and producing filtered air from the filter. The filtered air is produced from the filter as a result of the membrane removing any hydrocarbons containing six or more carbon atoms to produce a total of 0.001 ppm w/w or less. An air separation method includes feeding air into a filter containing a hollow fiber membrane that exhibits the property of resisting degradation due to exposure to hydrocarbons containing six or more carbon atoms. The filter exhibits a pressure drop across the membrane of less than 5 psi. The method includes feeding the filtered air into an air separation module containing a hollow fiber membrane that exhibits a susceptibility to degradation from exposure to hydrocarbons containing six or more carbon atoms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Barbara J. Evosevich, Ivana Jojic
  • Patent number: 8696794
    Abstract: A passive phase separator separates and traps gases that may be present in a liquid flowing through a system. The phase separator includes an inlet in fluid communication with a first separator chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with a second separator chamber that is disposed annularly about the first separator chamber. Gas introduced into the first separator chamber is pushed downstream through the first separator chamber to a gas storage chamber. Once gas is trapped within the gas storage chamber it remains there for the entire operational life of the phase separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Vincent Paragano, William Indoe, Jeffrey A. Darmetko
  • Publication number: 20140090556
    Abstract: A method and system for purification of a pressurized gas stream, wherein the method includes in a first absorption step bringing the pressurized gas stream in direct contact with a first absorption solution absorbing at least part of the acidic gases, in the gas stream obtaining a gas liquid mixture; and separating the gas liquid mixture in a partly purified pressurized gas stream and a first rich absorption solution. In a second downstream absorption step bringing the partly purified pressurized gas in contact with a second absorption solution through a membrane contactor, obtaining a second rich absorption solution and a purified pressurized gas stream. The first absorption solution is a partially lean absorption solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: AKER PROCESS SYSTEMS AS
    Inventors: Kamal C. Shah, Pål Helge Nøkleby, Geir Vingelven
  • Patent number: 8685142
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing humidity gradients in one or more dehumidification units. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification units is extracted by the dehumidification units without substantial condensation into low pressure water vapor vacuum volumes. The water vapor is extracted through water vapor permeable membranes of the dehumidification units into the low pressure water vapor vacuum volumes. The air exiting the dehumidification units is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification units. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is compressed to a slightly higher pressure, condensed, and removed from the system at ambient conditions. In addition, each of the dehumidification units may be associated with one or more evaporative cooling units through which the air will be directed, with the evaporative cooling units being upstream and/or downstream of the dehumidification units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: David E. Claridge, Charles H. Culp, Jeffrey S. Haberl
  • Patent number: 8657920
    Abstract: An apparatus and method purify hydrogen from a mixed fluid containing gaseous hydrogen, gaseous oxygen, and liquid water. The apparatus has a mixed fluid channel through which the mixed fluid flows; a first gas channel through which a mixed gas containing gaseous hydrogen and gaseous oxygen flows; a second gas channel through which gaseous hydrogen or oxygen flows; a gas-liquid separating membrane forming a wall between the mixed fluid channel and the first gas channel, separating the mixed gas from the mixed fluid of the mixed fluid channel, and providing the separated mixed gas to the first gas channel; and a hydrogen or oxygen separating membrane forming a wall between the first gas channel and the second gas channel, separating gaseous hydrogen or oxygen from the mixed gas of the first gas channel, and providing the separated gaseous hydrogen or oxygen to the second gas channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruyuki Nakanishi, Norihiko Nakamura, Hidekazu Arikawa, Hirofumi Fujiwara, Hidehito Kubo, Keiji Toh, Akiko Kumano, Shohei Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8641806
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for dehumidifying air by establishing a humidity gradient across a water selective permeable membrane in a dehumidification unit. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification unit is extracted by the dehumidification unit without substantial condensation into a low pressure water vapor chamber operating at a partial pressure of water vapor lower than the partial pressure of water vapor in the relatively humid atmospheric air. For example, water vapor is extracted through a water permeable membrane of the dehumidification unit into the low pressure water vapor chamber. As such, the air exiting the dehumidification unit is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification unit. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is subsequently condensed and removed from the system at ambient conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: David E. Claridge, Charles H. Culp
  • Publication number: 20140013952
    Abstract: A filter group (40) for fluids, comprising an external casing (19) having any section, suitable for receiving at least a filter membrane (16, 18) which develops parallel to the axis of the casing (19), for dividing an internal volume of the casing (19) into two chambers (28, 29), of which a first chamber (28) is in communication with an inlet conduit (12) for the fluid to be filtered and a second chamber (29) is in communication with an outlet conduit (14) of the filtered fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: UFI INNOVATION CENTER S.R.L.
    Inventor: Giorgio Girondi