Process for restoring membrane permeation properties

Patent · Tue May 20 00:00:00 EDT 1997

OSTI ID:870956

Pinnau, Ingo ^[1]; Toy, Lora G ^[2]; Casillas, Carlos G ^[3]

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1. Palo Alto, CA
2. San Francisco, CA
3. San Jose, CA

A process for restoring the selectivity of high-flee-volume, glassy polymer membranes for condensable components over less-condensable components or non-condensable components of a gas mixture. The process involves exposing the membrane to suitable sorbent vapor, such as propane or butane, thereby reopening the microvoids that make up the free volume. The selectivity of an aged membrane may be restored to 70-100% of its original value. The selectivity of a membrane which is known to age over time can also be maintained by keeping the membrane in a vapor environment when it is not in use.

• Research Organization: Membrane Technology & Res Inc
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: FG03-90ER81066; FG03-94ER81811
• Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc. (Menlo Park, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5630970
• Application Number: 08/448652
• OSTI ID: 870956
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

process
restoring
membrane
permeation
properties
selectivity
high-flee-volume
glassy
polymer
membranes
condensable
components
less-condensable
non-condensable
gas
mixture
involves
exposing
suitable
sorbent
vapor
propane
butane
reopening
microvoids
free
volume
aged
restored
70-100
original
value
age
time
maintained
keeping
environment
process involves
gas mixture
polymer membrane
polymer membranes
membrane permeation
free volume
suitable sorbent
involves exposing
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