Separation modules, systems, and methods
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsJinsheng Zhou, Ryan C. Shirk, Kazuhiko Mizuno, David S. Seitz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A separation module including at least one separation leaf that includes two porous composite membranes and a permeate mesh spacer sandwiched therebetween with and an edge-seal bond that adheres the membranes and spacer together.
Claims20
A separation module comprising at least one separation leaf comprising:
- first and second asymmetric composite membranes having a permeate mesh spacer sandwiched between the first and second asymmetric composite membranes;
- and
- an edge-seal bond that adheres the first and second asymmetric composite membranes and permeate spacer together;
- wherein the first and second asymmetric composite membranes comprise pores and the permeate spacer comprise mesh openings;
- and
- wherein the edge-seal bond comprises:
- a pore-filling sealant within at least a portion of the pores of the first and second membranes;
- and
- an adhesive within at least a portion of the mesh openings of the permeate spacer;
- wherein the pore-filling sealant is distinct from the adhesive.
A method of making a separation module comprising at least one separation leaf comprising first and second asymmetric composite membranes having a permeate spacer sandwiched between the first and second asymmetric composite membranes, wherein the first and second asymmetric composite membranes comprise pores and the permeate spacer comprises mesh openings;
- the method comprising:
- applying a pore-filling sealant adjacent to at least one edge of each membrane, wherein the pore-filling sealant has a viscosity sufficient to fill at least a portion of the pores of the membrane;
- applying an adhesive adjacent to at least one edge of the permeate spacer, wherein the adhesive has a viscosity sufficient to fill at least a portion of the mesh openings of the permeate spacer;
- and
- forming an edge-seal bond between the pore-filling sealant and adhesive that adheres the first and second asymmetric composite membranes and permeate spacer together;
- wherein the pore-filling sealant viscosity is lower than the adhesive viscosity when applied.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.