Membrane module elements
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsJonathan F. Hester, Brian E. Spiewak, James S. Mrozinski, James M. Nelson
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Abstract
A layered sheet construction contains at least one gas permeable, liquid water impermeable layer, and a gas delivery layer formed of a corrugated sheet proximate the gas permeable, water impermeable layer. The corrugated sheet has corrugations that form flow channels through which gas can be conveyed to the gas permeable layer. One embodiment of the layered sheet construction includes a gas permeable, liquid water impermeable layer having a surface energy that is below 20 dynes per centimeter.
Claims19
A layered sheet construction comprising:
- a. at least one gas permeable, liquid water impermeable layer;
- and
- b. a gas delivery layer proximate the layer of part a. which gas delivery layer is formed of a corrugated sheet, the corrugations forming flow channels through which gas can be conveyed to the layer of part a.
A layered sheet construction comprising:
- a. a gas permeable, liquid water impermeable layer having a surface energy less than about 20 dynes/cm;
- and
- b. a gas delivery layer proximate the layer of part a. which gas delivery layer has means through which gas can be conveyed to the layer of part a.
A layered sheet construction comprising:
- a. a gas permeable, liquid water impermeable layer characterized by containing or having on the surface thereof a fluorine-containing material selected from the group consisting of:
- i) polymers onto which fluorine-containing groups are grafted;
- and
- ii). macromolecular additives comprising fluorinated chemical moieties;
- and
- b. a gas delivery layer proximate the layer of part a. which gas delivery layer has means through which gas can be conveyed to the layer of part a.
An article useful in membrane aerated bioreactors comprising:
- a. a gas permeable, liquid water impermeable porous membrane comprising hollow fibers, said membrane characterized by having at least one of the following:
- i) a coating of a composition comprising a fluorochemical or fluoropolymer which is optionally curable;
- ii) a surface treated by ionizing radiation or plasma discharge in the presence of gaseous fluorinated species;
- iii) additives comprising fluorinated chemical moieties within the composition of the gas permeable, liquid water impermeable porous membrane;
- and
- iv) a fluoropolymer within the membrane pores;
- b. means for delivering a gas to the interior of the porous hollow fibers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.