US 4,239,728 AGranted

Apparatus and method for the diffusion of substances between two fluids separated by a semipermeable membrane

AssigneeGambro AB

InventorsKaj O. Stenberg, Lars J. C. Traven

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

An apparatus and method for the diffusion of substances between two fluids. The apparatus comprises at least one semipermeable membrane having first and second opposing surfaces, first conducting means for conducting a first fluid along the first surface of the membrane, and second conducting means for conducting a second fluid along a second surface of the membrane. The membrane is permeable to a portion of the first fluid so that at least a part of the portion of the first fluid is diffused through the membrane into the second fluid during conduction of the first and second fluids along the opposing surfaces of the membrane. Mixing means are provided for directly mixing the first fluid into the second fluid after conduction of the first fluid along the first surface of the membrane. In the preferred embodiment, this mixing means comprises apertures at the downstream end of the membrane for introducing the first fluid directly into the second fluid flowing on the opposite side of the membrane.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A diffusion apparatus for the diffusion of a gas into a liquid comprising:

a pair of semi-permeable membranes each having first and second opposing surfaces and arranged with said first surfaces facing one another and said second surfaces facing away from one another, said semi-permeable membranes each being permeable to at least a portion of said gas;
first introduction means for introducing said gas between said pair of semi-permeable membranes to be conducted along said first surfaces thereof;
a pair of spacing plates arranged in juxtaposition to said second surfaces of said pair of semi-permeable membranes, said spacing plates including flow channels therein for conducting said liquid along said second surfaces of said semi-permeable membranes;
second introduction means for introducing said liquid into said flow channels of said spacing plates to be conducted therethrough along said second surfaces of said semi-permeable membranes, whereby at least a first part of said portion of said gas diffuses through said semi-permeable membranes into said liquid to form bubbles of said diffused gas of a first size in said liquid;
and
mixing means associated with each of said semi-permeable membranes for directly mixing the second part of said gas into said liquid as said liquid is conducted through said flow channels along said second surfaces of said semi-permeable membranes so as to form bubbles of a second size larger than said first size in said liquid.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.