US4963165A — Composite membrane, method of preparation and use

Claim 1

Independent Claim 126 words

A process for separating a component of a first fluid mixture, comprising the steps of: bringing said first fluid mixture into contact with the feed side of a separation membrane, said separation membrane comprising a composite of a microporous support membrane coated with a permselective membrane, said permselective membrane comprising a polyamide-polyether block copolymer having the formula: ##STR4## wherein PA is a saturated aliphatic polyamide segment, PE is a polyether segment, and n is a positive integer, wherein said separation membrane exhibits a selectivity as measured with pure gases from carbon dioxide over hydrogen of at least 5.5; and withdrawing from the permeate side of said separation membrane a second fluid mixture wherein the proportion of said component is enriched, compared with said first fluid mixture.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 126 words

A process for separating a component of a first fluid mixture, comprising the steps of: bringing said first fluid mixture into contact with the feed side of a separation membrane, said separation membrane comprising a composite of a microporous support membrane coated with a permselective membrane, said permselective membrane comprising a polyamide-polyether block copolymer having the formula: ##STR4## wherein PA is a saturated aliphatic polyamide segment, PE is a polyether segment, and n is a positive integer, wherein said separation membrane exhibits a selectivity as measured with pure gases from carbon dioxide over hydrogen of at least 5.5; and withdrawing from the permeate side of said separation membrane a second fluid mixture wherein the proportion of said component is enriched, compared with said first fluid mixture.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 12 words

The process of claim 1, wherein said component comprises a polar gas.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 24 words

The process of claim 1, wherein said component comprises a gas chosen from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 19 words

The process of claim 1, wherein said first fluid mixture comprises an aqueous solution containing a dissolved organic compound.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 12 words

The process of claim 4, wherein said component comprises an organic compound.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 137 words

A process for separating a component of a first fluid mixture, comprising the steps of: bringing said first fluid mixture into contact with a feed side of an article of manufacture, said article comprising a laminate of a first microporous support layer coated with a second layer comprising a polyamide-polyether block copolymer having the formula: ##STR5## wherein PA is a saturated aliphatic polyamide segment, PE is a polyether segment, and n is a positive integer, wherein said second layer has a thickness less than 10 μm, and wherein said article exhibits a faster permeation rate for one component of a fluid mixture than for another component of said fluid mixture; and withdrawing from a permeate side of said article a second fluid mixture wherein the proportion of said component is enriched, compared with said first fluid mixture.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 137 words

A process for separating a component of a first fluid mixture, comprising the steps of: bringing said first fluid mixture into contact with a feed side of an article of manufacture, said article comprising a laminate of a first microporous support layer coated with a second layer comprising a polyamide-polyether block copolymer having the formula: ##STR5## wherein PA is a saturated aliphatic polyamide segment, PE is a polyether segment, and n is a positive integer, wherein said second layer has a thickness less than 10 μm, and wherein said article exhibits a faster permeation rate for one component of a fluid mixture than for another component of said fluid mixture; and withdrawing from a permeate side of said article a second fluid mixture wherein the proportion of said component is enriched, compared with said first fluid mixture.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 12 words

The process of claim 6, wherein said component comprises a polar gas.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 24 words

The process of claim 6, wherein said component comprises a gas chosen from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 19 words

The process of claim 6, wherein said first fluid mixture comprises an aqueous solution containing a dissolved organic compound.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 12 words

The process of claim 9, wherein said component comprises an organic compound.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 127 words

A process for separating a component of a first fluid mixture, comprising the steps of: bringing said first fluid mixture into contact with the feed side of a separation membrane, said separation memebrane comprising a composite of a microporous support membrane coated with a permselective membrane, said permselective membrane comprising a polyamide-polyether block copolymer having the formula: ##STR6## wherein PA is a saturated aliphatic polyamide segment, PE is a polyether segment, and n is a positive integer, wherein said composite is prepared by applying a solution of said polyamide-polyether block copolymer to one side of said microporous support membrane; and withdrawing from the permeate side of said separation membrane a second fluid mixture wherein the proportion of said component is enriched, compared with said first fluid mixture.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 127 words

A process for separating a component of a first fluid mixture, comprising the steps of: bringing said first fluid mixture into contact with the feed side of a separation membrane, said separation memebrane comprising a composite of a microporous support membrane coated with a permselective membrane, said permselective membrane comprising a polyamide-polyether block copolymer having the formula: ##STR6## wherein PA is a saturated aliphatic polyamide segment, PE is a polyether segment, and n is a positive integer, wherein said composite is prepared by applying a solution of said polyamide-polyether block copolymer to one side of said microporous support membrane; and withdrawing from the permeate side of said separation membrane a second fluid mixture wherein the proportion of said component is enriched, compared with said first fluid mixture.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 12 words

The process of claim 11, wherein said component comprises a polar gas.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 24 words

The process of claim 11, wherein said component comprises a gas chosen from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 19 words

The process of claim 11, wherein said first fluid mixture comprises an aqueous solution containing a dissolved organic compound.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 12 words

The process of claim 14, wherein said component comprises an organic compound.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 81 words

An article of manufacture, comprising a laminate of a first microporous support layer coated with a second layer comprising a polyamide-polyether block copolymer having the formula: ##STR7## wherein PA is a saturated aliphatic polyamide segment, PE is a polyether segment, and n is a positive integer, wherein said second laye has a thickness less than 10 μm, and wherein said article exhibits a faster permeation rate for one component of a fluid mixture than for another component of said fluid mixture.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 81 words

An article of manufacture, comprising a laminate of a first microporous support layer coated with a second layer comprising a polyamide-polyether block copolymer having the formula: ##STR7## wherein PA is a saturated aliphatic polyamide segment, PE is a polyether segment, and n is a positive integer, wherein said second laye has a thickness less than 10 μm, and wherein said article exhibits a faster permeation rate for one component of a fluid mixture than for another component of said fluid mixture.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 69 words

A separation membrane comprising a composite of a microporous support membrane coated with a permselective membrane, said permselective membrane comprising a polyamide-polyether block copolymer having the formula: ##STR8## wherein PA is a saturated aliphatic polyamide segment, PE is a polyether segment, and n is a positive integer, wherein said composite is prepared by applying a solution of said polyamide-polyether block copolymer to one side of said microporous support membrane.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 69 words

A separation membrane comprising a composite of a microporous support membrane coated with a permselective membrane, said permselective membrane comprising a polyamide-polyether block copolymer having the formula: ##STR8## wherein PA is a saturated aliphatic polyamide segment, PE is a polyether segment, and n is a positive integer, wherein said composite is prepared by applying a solution of said polyamide-polyether block copolymer to one side of said microporous support membrane.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 17 words

The separation membrane of claim 17, wherein said permselective membrane has a thickness less than 10 μm.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 19 words

The separation membrane of claim 17, further comprising a sealing layer continuously contacting one surface of said permselective membrane.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 19 words

The separation membrane of claim 19, wherein said sealing layer is between said microporous support and said permselective membrane.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 68 words

A separation membrane comprising a composite of a microporous support membrane coated with a permselective membrane, said permselective membrane comprising a polyamide-polyether block copolymer having the formula: ##STR9## wherein PA is a saturated aliphatic polyamide segment, PE is a polyether segment, and n is a positive integer, wherein said separation membrane exhibits a selectivity as measured with pure gases for carbon dioxide over hydrogen of at least 5.5.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 68 words

A separation membrane comprising a composite of a microporous support membrane coated with a permselective membrane, said permselective membrane comprising a polyamide-polyether block copolymer having the formula: ##STR9## wherein PA is a saturated aliphatic polyamide segment, PE is a polyether segment, and n is a positive integer, wherein said separation membrane exhibits a selectivity as measured with pure gases for carbon dioxide over hydrogen of at least 5.5.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 17 words

The separation membrane of claim 21, wherein said permselective membrane has a thickness less than 10 μm.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 29 words

The separation membrane of claim 21, wherein said permselective membrane is formed by casting a solution comprising said polyamide-polyether block copolymer and a solvent onto said microporous support membrane.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 21 words

The separation membrane of claim 23, wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of n-butanol, 1,1,2-trichloroethane and formic acid.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 19 words

The separation membrane of claim 21, further comprising a sealing layer continuously contacting one surface of said permselective membrane.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 20 words

The separation membrane of claim 25, wherein said sealing layer is between said microporous support membrane and said permselective membrane.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 61 words

A process for producing a separation membrane comprising the steps of: dissolving a polyamide-polyether block copolymer having the formula: ##STR10## wherein PA is a saturated aliphatic polyamide segment, PE is a polyether segment, and n is a positive integer in a solvent; coating the resultant solution on a microporous support membrane; and drying the coated support membrane to evaporate said solvent.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 61 words

A process for producing a separation membrane comprising the steps of: dissolving a polyamide-polyether block copolymer having the formula: ##STR10## wherein PA is a saturated aliphatic polyamide segment, PE is a polyether segment, and n is a positive integer in a solvent; coating the resultant solution on a microporous support membrane; and drying the coated support membrane to evaporate said solvent.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 20 words

The process of claim 27, wherein said resultant solution contains up to 5 wt % of said polyamide-polyether block copolymer.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 20 words

The process of claim 27, wherein said resultant solution contains up to 2 wt % of said polyamide-polyether block copolymer.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 20 words

The process of claim 27, wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of n-butanol, 1,1,2-trichloroethane and formic acid.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1993-10-15	1994-04-16	1994-10-16	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1997-10-15	1998-04-16	1998-10-16	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2001-10-15	2002-04-16	2002-10-16	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Composite membrane, method of preparation and use

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