US5256296A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Membrane process and apparatus for removing a component from a fluid stream
Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research Inc
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Filing: 1992-09-11
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Granted: 1993-10-26
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Expires: 2012-09-11
Abstract
Abstract A membrane separation process and system for removing a component from a fluid stream. An auxiliary membrane module or set of modules is installed across the pump that drives the main membrane unit, so that the permeate streams from the main and auxiliary membrane units are mixed and pass together through a common driving pump. The concentration of the mixed permeate stream is allowed to build up by circulating the stream through the auxiliary unit. When the concentration has reached a desired level, the mixed stream can be tapped and the product stream drawn off.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard W. Baker
- 👤 Johannes G. Wijmans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 05:27
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/22; B01D53/225; B01D53/226
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for increasing efficiency in a membrane separation system for removing a component from a fluid stream by gas separation, vapor separation or pervaporation, said system including in series a membrane separation unit and a driving means for transmembrane permeation, said method comprising: (a) connecting a permselective membrane to said system in such a way that a driving force for permeation of said permselective membrane is provided by said driving means; (b) passing an exit stream from said driving means across said permselective membrane, thereby producing a depleted stream depleted in said component compared with said exit stream and an enriched stream enriched in said component compared with said exit stream; (c) passing said enriched stream to an inlet side of said driving means, thereby mixing said enriched stream with a permeate stream from said membrane separation unit; (d) continuing steps (b) and (c) at least until said exit stream has a desired concentration; (e) withdrawing at least a portion of said exit stream at said desired concentration as a product stream.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for increasing efficiency in a membrane separation system for removing a component from a fluid stream by gas separation, vapor separation or pervaporation, said system including in series a membrane separation unit and a driving means for transmembrane permeation, said method comprising: (a) connecting a permselective membrane to said system in such a way that a driving force for permeation of said permselective membrane is provided by said driving means; (b) passing an exit stream from said driving means across said permselective membrane, thereby producing a depleted stream depleted in said component compared with said exit stream and an enriched stream enriched in said component compared with said exit stream; (c) passing said enriched stream to an inlet side of said driving means, thereby mixing said enriched stream with a permeate stream from said membrane separation unit; (d) continuing steps (b) and (c) at least until said exit stream has a desired concentration; (e) withdrawing at least a portion of said exit stream at said desired concentration as a product stream.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
15 words
The method of claim one, wherein said driving means for transmembrane permeation comprises a pump.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
15 words
The method of claim one, wherein said driving means for transmembrane permeation comprises a condenser.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
15 words
The method of claim one, wherein said driving means for transmembrane permeation comprises an eductor.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
11 words
The method of claim one, wherein said fluid is a gas.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
11 words
The method of claim one, wherein said fluid is a liquid.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
17 words
The method of claim one, further comprising: (f) recirculating said depleted stream to join said fluid stream.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said product stream has a concentration of said component at least five times greater than said permeate stream.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said product stream has a fixed concentration and a variable flow rate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
177 words
A membrane separation process for removing a component from a fluid stream by gas separation, vapor separation or pervaporation, said process comprising: (a) providing a membrane separation system comprising a membrane separation unit and a driving means for transmembrane permeation; (b) passing a fluid stream containing a component through said membrane separation unit; (c) withdrawing from said driving means an exit stream enriched in said component compared with said fluid stream; (d) passing said exit stream across a permselective membrane wherein a driving force for transmembrane permeation is provided by said driving means; (e) withdrawing from said permselective membrane a depleted stream depleted in said component compared with said exit stream; (f) withdrawing from said permselective membrane an enriched stream enriched in said component compared with said exit stream; (g) passing said enriched stream to an inlet side of said driving means; (h) continuing steps (b) through (g) at least until said exit stream has a desired concentration; and (i) withdrawing at least a portion of said exit stream at said desired concentration as a product stream.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
177 words
A membrane separation process for removing a component from a fluid stream by gas separation, vapor separation or pervaporation, said process comprising: (a) providing a membrane separation system comprising a membrane separation unit and a driving means for transmembrane permeation; (b) passing a fluid stream containing a component through said membrane separation unit; (c) withdrawing from said driving means an exit stream enriched in said component compared with said fluid stream; (d) passing said exit stream across a permselective membrane wherein a driving force for transmembrane permeation is provided by said driving means; (e) withdrawing from said permselective membrane a depleted stream depleted in said component compared with said exit stream; (f) withdrawing from said permselective membrane an enriched stream enriched in said component compared with said exit stream; (g) passing said enriched stream to an inlet side of said driving means; (h) continuing steps (b) through (g) at least until said exit stream has a desired concentration; and (i) withdrawing at least a portion of said exit stream at said desired concentration as a product stream.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said driving means for transmembrane permeation comprises a pump.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said driving means for transmembrane permeation comprises a condenser.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said driving means for transmembrane permeation comprises an eductor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said fluid is a gas.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said fluid is a liquid.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 10, further comprising: (j) recirculating said depleted stream to join said fluid stream.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said product stream has a concentration of said component at least five times greater than said permeate stream.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said product stream has a fixed concentration and a variable flow rate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus for separating a component from a fluid stream by gas separation, vapor separation or pervaporation, comprising: (a) a membrane separation unit; (b) a driving means for transmembrane permeation connected to an outlet from said membrane separation unit; (c) a permselective membrane connected to said driving means in such a way that a driving force for permeation of said permselective membrane is provided by said driving means; (d) means, positioned between said driving means and said permselective membrane, for withdrawing a product fluid stream, in such a way that the composition of said product fluid stream is essentially unchanged by said means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus for separating a component from a fluid stream by gas separation, vapor separation or pervaporation, comprising: (a) a membrane separation unit; (b) a driving means for transmembrane permeation connected to an outlet from said membrane separation unit; (c) a permselective membrane connected to said driving means in such a way that a driving force for permeation of said permselective membrane is provided by said driving means; (d) means, positioned between said driving means and said permselective membrane, for withdrawing a product fluid stream, in such a way that the composition of said product fluid stream is essentially unchanged by said means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said driving means for transmembrane permeation comprises a pump.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said driving means for transmembrane permeation comprises a vacuum pump.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said driving means for transmembrane permeation comprises a compressor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said driving means for transmembrane permeation comprises a condenser.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said driving means for transmembrane permeation comprises an eductor.
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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) | 1996-10-25 | 1997-04-26 | 1997-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-10-25 | 2001-04-26 | 2001-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-10-25 | 2005-04-26 | 2005-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |