Patent US1993058A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5169529A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Liquid membrane modules with minimal effective membrane thickness and methods of making the same
Assignee: Celgard LLC
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Filing: 1991-04-22
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Granted: 1992-12-08
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Expires: 2011-04-22
Abstract
Abstract Modules for use in fluid separations, especially contained liquid membrane separations, exhibit minimal effective membrane thickness. The modules have a module case and bundle of a dense plurality of hollow fiber membranes contained in the case. One set of the fiber membranes in the bundle constitutes feed-fibers while another set of the fiber membranes in the bundle constitutes strip-fibers for use in contained liquid membrane separations. The feed-fibers and strip-fibers are disposed within the elongate module case in opposite generally wave-like paths such that the feed-fibers and strip-fibers converge at generally lengthwise-separated crossing regions within the module. This disposition of the feed-fibers and the strip-fibers minimizes the effective membrane thickness value of the module as compared to conventional contained liquid membrane modules thereby enhancing the efficacy of fluid separations.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert H. Carroll
- 👤 Terry A. Barber
- 👤 Bradley W. Reed
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:33
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D61/00; B01D53/00; B01D53/22; B01D61/38; B01D63/00; B01D63/02; B01D63/021; B01D63/0233; B01D63/027; B01D63/04; B01D63/043; B01D69/00; B01D69/08; B01D69/084; B01D2319/00; B01D2319/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
In a contained liquid membrane module comprising a module case and sets of hollow feed-fiber membranes and strip-fiber membranes each having an elongate dimension, each of the sets providing a path through which respective feed and strip fluids may flow, and positioned within an interior space of said module case, the improvement comprising: said sets of hollow feed-fiber membranes and strip-fiber membranes being disposed within said interior space of said module in a mutually opposed generally sinusoidal arrangement to each other, wherein respective ones of said feed-fiber membranes are interposed between an adjacent pair of said strip-fiber membranes, and wherein said opposed generally sinusoidal arrangement of feed-fiber membranes and said strip-fiber membranes establishes, relative to the elongate dimension of said feed-fiber and strip fiber membranes, generally lengthwise-separated and generally registered regions at which the feed-fiber and strip-fiber membrane cross one another.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
In a contained liquid membrane module comprising a module case and sets of hollow feed-fiber membranes and strip-fiber membranes each having an elongate dimension, each of the sets providing a path through which respective feed and strip fluids may flow, and positioned within an interior space of said module case, the improvement comprising: said sets of hollow feed-fiber membranes and strip-fiber membranes being disposed within said interior space of said module in a mutually opposed generally sinusoidal arrangement to each other, wherein respective ones of said feed-fiber membranes are interposed between an adjacent pair of said strip-fiber membranes, and wherein said opposed generally sinusoidal arrangement of feed-fiber membranes and said strip-fiber membranes establishes, relative to the elongate dimension of said feed-fiber and strip fiber membranes, generally lengthwise-separated and generally registered regions at which the feed-fiber and strip-fiber membrane cross one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
An improved module as in claim 1, wherein said module case has respective supply and discharge ports for each of said feed-fiber membranes and strip-fiber membranes, and wherein terminal end portions of said feed-fiber membranes and said strip-fiber membranes are separated from one another and disposed within said respective supply and discharge ports.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An improved module as in claim 1, wherein said hollow fiber membranes are formed of a polyolefin resin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An improved module as in claim 1, wherein said hollow feed-fiber membranes and strip-fiber membranes are heat-set in said generally sinusoidal arrangements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
An improved module as in claim 1, wherein said hollow feed-fiber membranes and strip-fiber membranes are positionally restrained by means of bands which encircle said fiber membranes about said lengthwise-separated crossing regions.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of making a contained liquid membrane module which comprises a dense plurality of hollow fiber membranes comprising the steps of: forming a bundle of hollow fiber membranes having a loop at each end by disposing at least one continuous length of hollow fiber membrane along generally opposing generally sinusoidal arrangements to establish lengthwise-separated and generally registered regions where a portion of said continuous length of hollow fiber membrane alternately crosses another portion thereof; positionally restraining said bundle of hollow fiber membranes at least at said regularly spaced lengthwise-separated crossing regions; severing the loops formed at each end of the formed bundle of hollow fiber membranes; and then assembling said positionally restrained bundle of hollow fiber membranes within a module case.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of making a contained liquid membrane module which comprises a dense plurality of hollow fiber membranes comprising the steps of: forming a bundle of hollow fiber membranes having a loop at each end by disposing at least one continuous length of hollow fiber membrane along generally opposing generally sinusoidal arrangements to establish lengthwise-separated and generally registered regions where a portion of said continuous length of hollow fiber membrane alternately crosses another portion thereof; positionally restraining said bundle of hollow fiber membranes at least at said regularly spaced lengthwise-separated crossing regions; severing the loops formed at each end of the formed bundle of hollow fiber membranes; and then assembling said positionally restrained bundle of hollow fiber membranes within a module case.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as in claim 6, wherein said step of forming a bundle of hollow fiber membranes includes concurrently disposing several continuous lengths of hollow fiber membranes along said generally opposing generally sinusoidal arrangements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 6, wherein said step of positionally restraining said bundle includes heat-annealing said bundle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 6, wherein said step of positionally restraining said bundle includes encircling said fibers about said lengthwise-separated crossing regions using one or more bands.
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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) | 1995-12-08 | 1996-06-08 | 1996-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-12-08 | 2000-06-08 | 2000-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-12-08 | 2004-06-08 | 2004-12-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |