US4710205A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stabilized liquid films
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
•
Filing: 1987-03-16
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Granted: 1987-12-01
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Expires: 2007-03-16
Abstract
Abstract Composite polymeric transport membrane structures feature an ultra-thin polymeric membrane skin having microscopic pores therein forming an anisotropic microporous film combined with a relatively thick macroporous polymeric support substrate membrane which carries the skin. A quantity of liquid transport medium in the pores of the ultra-thin membrane skin enhances transport of one or more species of interest and wets the surface of the pores. The microscopic pores are of a size such that the vapor pressure of the liquid transport medium contained therein is reduced by an amount equal to or greater than that theoretically predicted by the Kelvin effect. Methods of activating the membrane with the transport mediums are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 David W. Deetz
- 👤 Maurice M. Kreevoy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:30
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D61/00; B01D61/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
A stabilized immobilized liquid membrane (ILM) for transporting at least one gaseous species of interest comprising: a composite membrane structure further comprising an ultra-thin membrane skin having microscopic pores therein characterizing an anisotropic microporous film and a relatively thick macroporous support substrate carrying said utra-thin membrane skin; and a quantity of liquid transport medium contained in the pores of said ultra-thin membrane skin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
A stabilized immobilized liquid membrane (ILM) for transporting at least one gaseous species of interest comprising: a composite membrane structure further comprising an ultra-thin membrane skin having microscopic pores therein characterizing an anisotropic microporous film and a relatively thick macroporous support substrate carrying said utra-thin membrane skin; and a quantity of liquid transport medium contained in the pores of said ultra-thin membrane skin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The stabilized ILM of claim 1 wherein liquid transport medium consists substantially of dimethyl silicon oil and said composite membrane consists substantially of polysulfone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
125 words
A stabilized ILM for enhancing the transport of at least one gaseous species of interest comprising: a composite polymeric membrane structure further comprising an ultra-thin membrane skin having microscopic pores therein characterizing an antistropic microporous film and a relatively thick macroporous polymeric support substrate membrane carrying said ultra-thin membrane skin; a quantity of liquid transport medium contained in the pores of said ultra-thin membrane skin wherein said liquid transport medium is one which wets the surface of the microscopic pores; and wherein the microscopic pores of said membrane skin are of an average size sufficiently small such that the vapor pressure of the liquid transport medium contained therein is reduced by an amount at least as great as that theoretically predicted by the Kelvin effect.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
125 words
A stabilized ILM for enhancing the transport of at least one gaseous species of interest comprising: a composite polymeric membrane structure further comprising an ultra-thin membrane skin having microscopic pores therein characterizing an antistropic microporous film and a relatively thick macroporous polymeric support substrate membrane carrying said ultra-thin membrane skin; a quantity of liquid transport medium contained in the pores of said ultra-thin membrane skin wherein said liquid transport medium is one which wets the surface of the microscopic pores; and wherein the microscopic pores of said membrane skin are of an average size sufficiently small such that the vapor pressure of the liquid transport medium contained therein is reduced by an amount at least as great as that theoretically predicted by the Kelvin effect.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The stabilized ILM of claim 3 wherein the ultra-thin polymeric membrane skin of the composite polymeric consists substantially of a polymer selected from a regenerated cellulose, acrylic copolymer and polysulfone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stabilized ILM of claim 4 wherein said polymer support substrate is of the same polymer as the skin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The stabilized ILM of claim 3 wherein said liquid transport medium consists substantially of water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The stabilized ILM of claim 3 wherein said average pore size of said skin is ≦0.1 micron and the thickness of said skin is ≦1.5 microns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The stabilized ILM of claim 7 wherein said support substrate membrane has a thickness of from 50 to 250 microns.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The stabilized ILM of claim 7 wherein said average pore size is <0.02 micron.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
142 words
A stabilized ILM for the permaselective transport of at least one gaseous species of interest in a gaseous mixture comprising: a composite polymeric membrane structure further comprising an ultra-thin polymeric membrane skin having microscopic pores therein forming an anisotropic microporous film and a relatively thick macroporous polymeric support substrate membrane carrying said ultra-thin membrane skin; a quantity of liquid transport medium contained in the pores of said ultra-thin membrane skin wherein said liquid transport medium is one which wets the surface of the microscopic pores and is further characterized substantially as a solution containing a combination of solvent and solute; and wherein the microscopic pores of said membrane skin are of an average size sufficiently small such that the vapor pressure of the liquid transport medium contained therein is reduced by an amount greater than that theoretically predicted by the Kelvin effect.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
142 words
A stabilized ILM for the permaselective transport of at least one gaseous species of interest in a gaseous mixture comprising: a composite polymeric membrane structure further comprising an ultra-thin polymeric membrane skin having microscopic pores therein forming an anisotropic microporous film and a relatively thick macroporous polymeric support substrate membrane carrying said ultra-thin membrane skin; a quantity of liquid transport medium contained in the pores of said ultra-thin membrane skin wherein said liquid transport medium is one which wets the surface of the microscopic pores and is further characterized substantially as a solution containing a combination of solvent and solute; and wherein the microscopic pores of said membrane skin are of an average size sufficiently small such that the vapor pressure of the liquid transport medium contained therein is reduced by an amount greater than that theoretically predicted by the Kelvin effect.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The stabilized ILM of claim 10 wherein the ultra-thin polymeric membrane skin of the composite polymeric consists substantially of a polymer selected from a regenerated cellulose, acrylic copolymer and polysulfone.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stabilized ILM of claim 11 wherein said polymer support substrate is of the same polymer as the skin.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stabilized ILM of claim 12 wherein the liquid transport medium is further characterized substantially as an aqueous solution.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stabilized ILM of claim 11 wherein the liquid transport medium is further characterized substantially as an aqueous solution.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The stabilized ILM of claim 14 wherein said solute is an hygroscopic ionic salt.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The stabilized ILM of claim 15 wherein said salt is an alkali metal salt.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stabilized ILM of claim 10 wherein the liquid transport medium is further characterized substantially as an aqueous solution.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
The stabilized ILM of claim 17 wherein said solvent is non-aqueous.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The stabilized ILM of claim 17 wherein said solute is an hygroscopic ionic salt.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The stabilized ILM of claim 19 wherein said salt is an alkali metal salt.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
The stabilized ILM of claim 10 wherein said solvent is non-aqueous.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of stabilizing an immobilized liquid membrane (ILM) for transporting at least one gaseous species of interest wherein said membrane comprises a composite structure having an ultra-thin membrane skin with microscopic pores therein characterizing an anisotropic microporous film and a relatively thick macroporous support substrate carrying said ultra-thin membrane skin, said method comprising: the step of introducing a quantity of liquid transport medium into the pores of said ultra-thin membrane skin by exposure to a gas saturated with the vapor of the desired liquid.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of stabilizing an immobilized liquid membrane (ILM) for transporting at least one gaseous species of interest wherein said membrane comprises a composite structure having an ultra-thin membrane skin with microscopic pores therein characterizing an anisotropic microporous film and a relatively thick macroporous support substrate carrying said ultra-thin membrane skin, said method comprising: the step of introducing a quantity of liquid transport medium into the pores of said ultra-thin membrane skin by exposure to a gas saturated with the vapor of the desired liquid.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-11-30 | 1991-06-01 | 1991-12-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-30 | 1995-06-01 | 1995-12-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-30 | 1999-06-01 | 1999-12-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |