Selective Diffusion Of Gases Patents (Class 95/43)
  • Patent number: 11511225
    Abstract: A contaminant removal system for removing a contaminant from an environment includes a gas separator, a scrubber-separator downstream of the gas separator, and a stripper-separator downstream of the scrubber-separator. The gas separator is configured to receive a cabin air stream from the environment and concentrate the contaminant from the cabin air stream to produce a concentrated cabin air stream. The cabin air stream includes the contaminant, and the concentrated cabin air stream has a higher concentration of the contaminant than the cabin air stream. The scrubber-separator is configured to absorb the contaminant from the concentrated cabin air stream into a liquid sorbent and discharge a clean air stream to the environment. The stripper-separator is configured to desorb the contaminant from the liquid sorbent into a contaminant stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Skomurski, Peter M. Michalakos, Rebecca Kamire, Stephen Yates, Phoebe Henson
  • Patent number: 9676807
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for multi-component metal-organic materials (MOMs), systems including the MOM, systems for separating components in a gas, methods of separating polarizable gases from a gas mixture, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Michael Zaworotko, Mona H. Mohamed, Sameh Elsaidi
  • Patent number: 9017451
    Abstract: A gas separation process that utilizes ejector recycle with a membrane separation step in combination with a second separation step. The second separation step may be a second membrane separation, or may involve a different type of separation process. At least a portion of the non-product (i.e. residue) stream withdrawn from the second separation step is directed back to the ejector to form a processing loop. The ejector drives the gas flow in the loop and recycles the non-product stream to the first separation step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas P. Wynn, Haiqing Lin, Meijuan Zhou, Jennifer H. Ly, Livia Serbanescu-Martin
  • Patent number: 9005334
    Abstract: A water-proof air-permeable filter (1) includes: a resin film (2) having formed therein a plurality of through pores (21); and a treated layer (3) having hydrophobicity and oil repellency, and formed on at least one of both surfaces in the thickness direction of the resin film (2) such that the treated layer (3) has openings (31) at positions corresponding to the through pores (21). The through pores (21) each have a predetermined size larger than or equal to 0.01 ?m and smaller than or equal to 10 ?m, and are uniformly distributed such that a density of the through pores falls within specific limits included in a range from 10 to 1×108 pores/mm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Furuyama, Yozo Nagai, Junichi Moriyama
  • Patent number: 8979978
    Abstract: Technologies are generally described for perforated graphene monolayers and membranes containing perforated graphene monolayers. An example membrane may include a graphene monolayer having a plurality of discrete pores that may be chemically perforated into the graphene monolayer. The discrete pores may be of substantially uniform pore size. The pore size may be characterized by one or more carbon vacancy defects in the graphene monolayer. The graphene monolayer may have substantially uniform pore sizes throughout. In some examples, the membrane may include a permeable substrate that contacts the graphene monolayer and which may support the graphene monolayer. Such perforated graphene monolayers, and membranes comprising such perforated graphene monolayers may exhibit improved properties compared to conventional polymeric membranes for gas separations, e.g., greater selectivity, greater gas permeation rates, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventors: Seth A. Miller, Gary L. Duerksen
  • Patent number: 8956443
    Abstract: A device for trapping flammable gases such as hydrogen comprises active means (3) inside a casing (1) which is closed except for openings which are plugged by filters (2) that normally allow only the gases that are to be trapped to pass through them. The trapping maintains a reduced pressure inside the casing, which continually draws in the gases produced outside. The trap can operate without any maintenance and for long periods of time, even in a completely enclosed environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: TN Intellectual
    Inventors: Valentin Rohr, Elisa Leoni, Jocelyn Prigent, Michel LaTroche
  • Patent number: 8945276
    Abstract: A gas-separation membrane module assembly and a gas-separation process using the assembly. The assembly includes sets of manifolds, between which are mounted arrays of membrane modules, the manifolds and membrane modules forming a stack within a pressure vessel or housing. The stacked, manifolded arrangement enables many membrane elements to be fed in parallel with the gas to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas P. Wynn
  • Patent number: 8920539
    Abstract: The invention relates to a Method of generating oxygen and nitric oxide. The method comprises the steps of: guiding an oxygen comprising gas to a primary side of a dense membrane (42), heating the membrane (42) to a temperature at which it is permeable for oxygen, creating a pressure difference between the primary side of the membrane (42) and a secondary side of the membrane (42), wherein a stream of oxygen is generated at the secondary side of the membrane (42) and a stream of oxygen depleted gas is generated at the primary side of the membrane (42). The method according to the invention further comprises the steps of: providing a flow of nitrous oxide comprising gas and heating the nitrous oxide comprising gas to a temperature at which nitric oxide is generated. Thereby, according to the invention, heat generated in the process of operating the membrane is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Rainer Hilbig, Achim Gerhard Rolf Koerber, Claudia Hannelore Igney
  • Patent number: 8911536
    Abstract: An apparatus for capture and sequestration of CO2 from fossil fuel-fired power plant flue gas includes a polymer matrix embedded with a sorbent suitable for removing CO2 from the flue gas and a spacer mated with the polymer matrix. The spacer is adapted to create channels between adjacent portions of the polymer matrix such that the flue gas flows through the channels and comes in contact with the sorbent. Further, an apparatus for the capture and sequestration of CO2 from fossil fuel-fired power plant flue gas includes a hollow fiber membrane embedded with an adsorbent or other suitable material for removing CO2 from the flue gas. The adsorbent particles may be embedded into a wall of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramsay Chang, Adam Berger, Abhoyjit Bhown
  • Patent number: 8911534
    Abstract: Carbon molecular sieve membranes having desirable selectivity for ethylene/ethane separations are prepared from a 3,3?,4,4?-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride 5(6)-amino-1-(4?-aminophenyl)-1,3,3-trimethylindane 4,4-bismaleimidodiphenyl-methane (BTDA-DAPI) precursor solution that is then formed into films or hollow fibers which are pyrolyzed under vacuum or an inert atmosphere to form carbon molecular sieve membranes. Pyrolysis condition variables, including ramp rate, thermal soak time and temperature, are used to optimize the membrane's separation performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Koros, Meha Rungta, Liren Xu
  • Patent number: 8911540
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a gas separation membrane includes providing a coextruded multilayer film that includes a first polymer layer formed of a first polymer material and a second polymer layer formed of a second polymer material, the first polymer material having a first gas permeability. The coextruded multilayer film is axially oriented such that the second polymer layer has a second gas permeability that is greater than the first gas permeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
    Inventors: Eric Baer, Shannon Armstrong, Benny D. Freeman, Donald R. Paul, Grant Offord
  • 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
  • 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: 8858681
    Abstract: A patterned gas permeable venting material is affixed within a venting apparatus which has an opening. The venting material forms a liquid tight, gas permeable seal of the opening. The patterned material comprises a PTFE membrane of porosity less than 80% and with a surface indentation of depth greater than 12 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary P. Harp
  • Patent number: 8834612
    Abstract: A hydrogen separation apparatus, provided with an independent hydrogen permeable membrane, capable of suppressing or preventing deformation of the hydrogen permeable membrane. The hydrogen separation apparatus includes a porous support member, an independent hydrogen permeable membrane disposed adjacent to the porous support member, and a joining member for joining the porous support member and the hydrogen permeable membrane. A production process for the hydrogen separation apparatus includes (1) disposing a joining member forming material at a surface side of a porous support member, to be opposite to an independent hydrogen permeable membrane, (2) disposing the independent hydrogen permeable membrane adjacent to the porous support member at the surface side of the porous support member to which surface side the joining member forming material is disposed, and (3) joining the porous support member and the independent hydrogen permeable membrane with the joining member forming material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Maki Hoshino, Takao Izumi
  • Patent number: 8828119
    Abstract: A membrane cartridge is manufactured by repeatedly folding and joining two strips of membrane to form a cross-pleated cartridge with a stack of openings or fluid passageways configured in an alternating cross-flow arrangement. The cartridge can be modified for other flow configurations including co-flow and counter-flow arrangements. Methods for manufacturing such cross-pleated membrane cartridges, as well as apparatus used in the manufacturing process are described. Cross-pleated membrane cartridges comprising water-permeable membranes can be used in a variety of applications, including in heat and water vapor exchangers. In particular they can be incorporated into energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) for exchanging heat and water vapor between air streams being directed into and out of buildings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: DPoint Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Montie, James Franklin Dean, Curtis Mullen, Robert Hill
  • 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: 8821614
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a membrane testing system for individual evaluation of a plurality of planar membranes subjected to a feed gas on one side and a sweep gas on a second side. The membrane testing system provides a pressurized flow of a feed and sweep gas to each membrane testing cell in a plurality of membrane testing cells while a stream of retentate gas from each membrane testing cell is ported by a retentate multiport valve for sampling or venting, and a stream of permeate gas from each membrane testing cell is ported by a permeate multiport valve for sampling or venting. Back pressure regulators and mass flow controllers act to maintain substantially equivalent gas pressures and flow rates on each side of the planar membrane throughout a sampling cycle. A digital controller may be utilized to position the retentate and permeate multiport valves cyclically, allowing for gas sampling of different membrane cells over an extended period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Erik J. Albenze, David P. Hopkinson, David R. Luebke
  • Patent number: 8814984
    Abstract: A gas purification process for treating a gas stream includes supplying the gas stream to at least one membrane unit to produce a permeate stream and a retentate stream. The retentate stream contains a lower concentration of at least one of water, hydrogen sulfide, or carbon dioxide as compared to the gas stream. The retentate stream is supplied to a molecular sieve unit to remove hydrogen sulfide to produce a treated gas product stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher B. McIlroy, John R. Harness, Nagaraju Palla, Ronald K. Subris, Stephen J. Van Dyke
  • 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: 8784663
    Abstract: A trap Including: an inlet configured to receive a fluid conveying nanostructures; ionic liquid configured to trap the nanostructures; and an outlet for the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Di Wei, Zoran Radivojevic, Markku Antti Kyosti Rouvala, Teuvo Tapani Ryhänen
  • Patent number: 8778054
    Abstract: A method for generating heat energy in a power plant by burning a carbonaceous fuel in a combustion chamber of the power plant and a system for carrying out the method is described. A combustion chamber is fluidly connected to a membrane chamber that includes a membrane operating at a temperature between 600 and 1000° C. The combustion chamber receives a cleaned flue-gas oxygen mixture for combustion from the membrane chamber. Oxygen from heated air passes through the membrane in the membrane chamber to the permeate side of the membrane, where it is mixed with cleaned heated flue gas and the resulting gas mixture is fed to the combustion chamber. Flue gas removed from the combustion chamber are cooled, cleaned and heated as described herein and recirculated to the membrane chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH
    Inventors: Jewgeni Nazarko, Ernst Riensche, Reinhard Menzer, Wilhelm Albert Meulenberg, Stefan Baumann
  • Patent number: 8771402
    Abstract: A vapor particle separator including a temperature controlled chamber for desorbing vapors from the particulates of an exhaust gas and a separation chamber including a micro porous membrane. The micro porous membrane provides an interface between at least one particle passageway and at least one vapor passageway through the separation chamber. The particle passageway extends from an entrance to the separation chamber to a particle exit from the separation chamber. The vapor passageway extends from the micro-porous membrane to a vapor exit from the separation chamber that is separate from the particle exit from the separation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Meng-Dawn Cheng, Steve L. Allman
  • Patent number: 8764889
    Abstract: There is provided a silica membrane filter having performance of selectively separating an aromatic compound and performance of selectively separating an alcohol. The silica membrane filter is provided with a porous substrate and a silica membrane. The ratio of a He gas permeation amount to an N2 gas permeation amount (He gas permeation amount/N2 gas permeation amount) is 7 or less, and the ratio of the N2 gas permeation amount to a SF6 gas permeation amount (N2 gas permeation amount/SF6 gas permeation amount) is 1.5 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mariko Takagi, Kenichi Noda, Nobuhiko Mori, Masaaki Kawai, Aya Satoh
  • Patent number: 8764887
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method for preparing crystalline metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The method includes the steps of providing an electrolyte solution in contact with a conductive surface, and applying a current or potential to the conductive surface in contact with the electrolyte solution. The electrolyte solution includes a protonated organic ligand, a metal ion, and a probase. Application of the reductive current or potential to the conductive surface produces the crystalline metal-organic framework (MOF) deposited on the conductive surface. The MOFs produced by the method may be incorporated into a gas separation membrane, a purification filter, and/or a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Mircea Dinca, Minyuan Li
  • Patent number: 8764881
    Abstract: A membrane suitable for separating a gas from a gas mixture comprising a non cross-linked PVAm having a molecular weight of at least Mw 100,000 carried on a support wherein after casting onto the support, said PVAm has been heated to a temperature in the range 50 to 150° C., e.g. 80 to 120° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Norwegian University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Marius Sandru, Taek-Joong Kim, May-Britt Hägg
  • Patent number: 8758490
    Abstract: A method of forming a fluid separation filter for use in a fluid separation device includes aligning a series of fluid separation or drying fibers (102) and fixing them together using a self-adhesive and electrically conductive tape (116) or by weaving copper threads between them. The connected fibers then form a mat and a strip of potting sealant (112) may be added, if required, along the top and bottom of the fibers. The mat may then be rolled to form a bundle of fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Nano-Porous Solutions Limited
    Inventors: John Pearson, Caytlin Green
  • Patent number: 8747766
    Abstract: A hydrogen separation membrane comprising a palladium alloy that includes at least palladium, an added metal A, and an added metal B, the added metal A and the added metal B being two different metals other than palladium, each of the added metal A and the added metal B forming a complete solid solution with palladium, and the added metal A and the added metal B having a triple point in an equilibrium diagram and not forming an intermetallic compound. The hydrogen separation membrane exhibits excellent hydrogen permeability and durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Noda
  • Patent number: 8734568
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an asymmetric hollow fiber membrane for gas separation made of a soluble aromatic polyimide, wherein an orientation index is 1.3 or less, a separation coefficient ?(P?O2/P?N2) as a permeation rate ratio of oxygen gas/nitrogen gas at 40° C. is 5.3 or more, and a tensile fracture elongation is 15% or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Ube Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Hisamori, Tatsuya Hayashi, Seiji Morihashi, Tomonori Kanougi
  • Patent number: 8728201
    Abstract: Carbon dioxide is separated from a flue gas produced in a combustion plant. Flue gas is supplied to a membrane unit having at least one membrane module provided with a membrane that is selective for CO2. A portion of the CO2 is separated from the flue gas in the module, producing a CO2-enriched permeate. CO2-depleted flue gas remaining on the retentate side of the module is supplied to at least one additional CO2 separating unit and a portion of the CO2 in the retentate is separated by an absorbent. The result is a reduction in energy consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Forshungszentrum Juelich GmbH
    Inventors: Jewgeni Nazarko, Ernst Riensche, Martin Bram, Li Zhao
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8702844
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to recovery of carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide from a gas mixture. Separating of the carbon dioxide, for example, from the gas mixture utilizes a liquid sorbent for the carbon dioxide. The liquid sorbent contacts the gas mixture for transfer of the carbon dioxide from the gas mixture to the liquid sorbent. Contacting of the sorbent with the gas mixture and/or desorption of the carbon dioxide from the liquid sorbent utilize hollow-fiber contactors that have permeable walls and incorporate particles distinct from a remainder of the walls to influence wetting properties of the contactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Randall L. Heald, Clint P. Aichele, Imona C. Omole, George F. Schuette, Sumod Kalakkunnath
  • Patent number: 8696795
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of separating oxygen from an oxygen containing gas, said method comprising the steps of: compressing and heating the oxygen containing gas in a plasma pump (16), guiding the heated and compressed oxygen containing gas to the primary side of a dense inorganic membrane (58), thereby heating the inorganic membrane by the oxygen containing gas to a temperature at which it is permeable for oxygen, and creating a pressure difference between the primary side and a secondary side of the inorganic membrane (58), wherein an oxygen flow through the inorganic membrane (58) is created, thereby separating the oxygen from the oxygen containing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Rainer Hilbig
  • 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: 8685144
    Abstract: The present invention 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: 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: 8685149
    Abstract: A breather 2 on a top of a tank body 1 is opened through a carbon dioxide permeable membrane 3 to an atmospheric air so as to take an inert gas containing plenty of carbon dioxide permeated through the membrane 3 into the tank body 1 by a negative pressure due to reduction of a fuel F in the tank body 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Hino Motors, Ltd.
    Inventor: Noboru Uchida
  • Patent number: 8685145
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing humidity gradients in a plurality of dehumidification units, which are arranged in series and/or in parallel. Water vapor from air entering each stage of the plurality of dehumidification units is extracted by the dehumidification units without substantial condensation into low pressure water vapor chambers. For example, in one embodiment, the water vapor is extracted through water vapor permeable membranes of the dehumidification units into the low pressure water vapor chambers. As such, the air exiting each of the dehumidification units is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification units. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is subsequently compressed to a slightly higher pressure (i.e., just high enough to facilitate condensation), condensed, and removed from the system at ambient conditions.
    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: 8673067
    Abstract: Provided herein are immobilized liquid membranes for gas separation, methods of preparing such membranes and uses thereof. In one example, the immobilized membrane includes a porous metallic host matrix and an immobilized liquid fluid (such as a silicone oil) that is immobilized within one or more pores included within the porous metallic host matrix. The immobilized liquid membrane is capable of selective permeation of one type of molecule (such as oxygen) over another type of molecule (such as water). In some examples, the selective membrane is incorporated into a device to supply oxygen from ambient air to the device for electrochemical reactions, and at the same time, to block water penetration and electrolyte loss from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Nathan L. Canfield, Jian Zhang, Xiaohong Shari Li, Jiguang Zhang
  • Patent number: 8668764
    Abstract: MOF nanocrystals having a narrow size distribution, as well as methods of making and using same are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Brown, Sankar Nair, David Sholl, Cantwell Carson
  • Patent number: 8663372
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for forming microporous membranes. More specifically, vapor induced phase separation techniques are used for forming multizone microporous membranes having improved material throughput.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ilyess H. Romdhane, Mikhail S. Mezhirov
  • Patent number: 8647410
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for exchanging gas in an oxygenator device, and methods for preparing and using such oxygenator devices. The systems and methods can be used to transfer oxygen to blood to assist lung function in a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Borenstein, Joseph L. Charest, James Ching-Ming Hsiao, Tatiana Kniazeva
  • Patent number: 8641807
    Abstract: Hollow fiber membranes, such as those used in air separation modules, are generally made from solution spinning. Typically, solvent is present in the bore of the fiber for the spinning process. This solvent, in addition to the solvent already present in the polymer casting solution, may cause voids in the fiber material. By adding a polycarboxylic acid to the polymer casting material, these voids may be reduced or eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Adam Glen Thomas
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8636827
    Abstract: A method of operating a mixed ionic-electronic conducting ceramic membrane having an oxidizing side and a reducing side, said method comprising a start-up phase and a production phase, for producing a gas stream, characterized in that the start-up phase comprises a step of introducing, on the oxidizing side and the reducing side of the membrane respectively, first and second gas mixtures not capable of chemically degrading the membrane; and a step of establishing a stream of oxygen through the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Nicolas Richet, Cédric Delbos, Gilles Lebain
  • Patent number: 8628601
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of carbon dioxide from a gas mixture that includes pretreating a gas mixture comprising carbon dioxide, water vapor, and one or more light gases in a pretreating system to form a cooled gas mixture, fractionating the cooled gas mixture to recover a bottoms fraction comprising carbon dioxide and an overheads fraction comprising carbon dioxide and the light gases, passing the overheads fraction over a membrane selective to carbon dioxide to separate a carbon dioxide permeate from a residue gas comprising the light gases, recycling the carbon dioxide permeate to the pretreating system, and recovering at least a portion of the bottoms fraction as a purified carbon dioxide product stream is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Loren E Gearhart, Sanjiv N Patel, David R Koch
  • Patent number: 8617291
    Abstract: A method of preparing a supported gas separation membrane, comprising: preparing crystalline seeds from a synthesis mixture comprising an aluminum source, a phosphorous source, a silicon source, at least one organic templating agent and water; applying the seeds to a porous support to produce a seeded porous support; contacting the seeded porous support with a synthesis gel under hydrothermal synthesis conditions to produce a coated porous support; and calcining the coated porous support is described. A supported gas separation membrane made by this method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Brendan Dermot Murray, Paul Jason Williams
  • Patent number: 8608837
    Abstract: The use of solutions of ethylenically unsaturated polyesters for production of carbon membranes suitable for gas separation, and a process for producing carbon membranes suitable for gas separation, comprising the steps of a) coating a porous substrate with a solution of ethylenically unsaturated polyester, b) drying the polyester coating on the porous substrate by removing the solvent, and c) pyrolyzing the polyester coating on the porous substrate to form the carbon membrane suitable for gas separation, it being possible to conduct any of steps a) to c) or the sequence of steps a) to c) more than once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Hartwig Voss, Joerg Therre, Nadine Kaltenborn, Susanne Kaemnitz
  • Patent number: 8608828
    Abstract: The use of solutions of organic polymers for production of carbon membranes suitable for gas separation, and a process for producing carbon membranes suitable for gas separation, comprising the steps of a) coating a porous substrate with solutions of organic polymers, b) drying the polyester coating on the porous substrate by removing the solvent, and c) pyrolyzing the polyester coating on the porous substrate to form the carbon membrane suitable for gas separation, it being possible to conduct any of steps a) to c) or the sequence of steps a) to c) more than once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Hartwig Voss, Joerg Therre, Nadine Kaltenborn, Hannes Richter, Ingolf Voigt
  • Patent number: 8603219
    Abstract: A gas separation unit 102, 200, 300 for permeating a gas out from a pressurized feed mixture includes an input manifold 104, 204, an exhaust manifold, 106, 206 and a permeate assembly 108, 208, 303. The permeate assembly supports one or more permselective foils 130, 132, 218, 232, 318 over a hollow cavity 134, 272, 306 supported by a microscreen element 142, 144, 228, 230, 326. The microscreen element includes non-porous perimeter walls 190, 192, 278 supported on a frame surface and a porous central area 194, 280 supported over the hollow cavity. A porous spacer 138, 140, 174, 234 disposed inside the hollow cavity structurally supports the entire microscreen surface spanning the hollow cavity while also providing a void volume for receiving fluid passing through the porous central area and for conveying the fluid through the hollow cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Protonex Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David Edlund, Paul Osenar, Nathan Palumbo, Ronald Rezac, Matthew P. Steinbroner