Hydrophobic microporus membrane
OwnerYing Wang, Hung N. Choiinventors
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Abstract
A membrane that is prepared in a water in oil system and comprises a hydrophobic polymer film having controlled porosity. Such membranes are particularly well suited for use in oil drilling processes; in the separation of oil from the waste water of oil refineries; in the separating of oil from the waste water resulting from cleaning oil tankers; and the separation of oil from water used in cleaning oil tanks or containers for industrial equipment. The membranes can also be used in the dewatering process of edible protein as well as the dewatering of liquid fragrances.
Claims11
A membrane having controlled porosity that is prepared in a water-in-oil dispersion by a process that comprises the steps of:
- a) forming a water-in-oil system wherein the oil phase contains a hydrophobic polymer;
- b) adding to the system dispersion a pore forming agent and a crosslinking agent or a coagulant for the polymer to form a suspension;
- c) coating the thus formed suspension on a substrate;
- d) evaporating the water from the suspension coated on the substrate to concentrate and cross link the polymer present while enveloping the pore forming agent with the polymer;
- and
- e) removing the pore forming agent from the coagulated polymer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.