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Process for restoring membrane permeation properties

Patent ·
OSTI ID:870956
 [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Palo Alto, CA
  2. San Francisco, CA
  3. San Jose, CA
+ Show Author Affiliations

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

References (2)

Polyacetylene derivatives as membranes for gas separation journal March 1988
Transport characteristics and other physicochemical properties of aged poly(1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-;propyne) journal June 1993

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Related Subjects

/264/
70-100
age
aged
butane
components
condensable
environment
exposing
free
free volume
gas
gas mixture
glassy
high-flee-volume
involves
involves exposing
keeping
less-condensable
maintained
membrane
membrane permeation
membranes
microvoids
mixture
non-condensable
original
permeation
polymer
polymer membrane
polymer membranes
process
process involves
propane
properties
reopening
restored
restoring
selectivity
sorbent
suitable
suitable sorbent
time
value
vapor
volume