Method of producing ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer hollow fiber membranes

Abstract

A hollow fiber membrane made of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer is provided, which is characterized in that, when observed in a dry state with an electron microscope, the hollow fiber membrane has at least one dense, active layer (or skin layer) on the inside and/or outside surface thereof and further a three-layered structure comprising two layers respectively contacting the inside and outside surfaces and each consisting of a plurality of particles bonded together and having particle sizes of 0.01 to 2 microns and a substantially particle-free homogeneous layer lying between the two layers. A method of producing such hollow fiber membranes is also provided comprising spinning a spinning solution prepared by dissolving an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer in a solvent mainly consisting of dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylacetamide, pyrrolidone, N-methylpyrrolidone or a mixture of these through a spinneret for hollow fiber production while simultaneously introducing a coagulating liquid through the central aperture of said spinneret, passing the spun fiber through a gaseous atmosphere such that the fiber is drawn to 3 to 30 times its original length, and coagulating the fiber in a coagulation bath at a temperature within the range specified below: When 15.ltoreq.C.ltoreq.40, -15.ltoreq.T.ltoreq.1/4C+10 where C is polymer concentration (weight %) and T is coagulation temperature (.degree.C.).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.