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US 6,273,937 B1Granted
Membrane pervaporation and vapor permeation system
AssigneeTrans Ionics Corporation
InventorRobert C. Schucker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved membrane pervaporation and vapor permeation system is disclosed in which the vacuum is produced by a fluid passing through a Venturi-type nozzle. The fluid is chosen from solvents that have an affinity for the permeate molecules. It is applicable over of process feed rates, can be used with either organic or aqueous systems and conserves energy relative to existing technology.
Claims18
A process for the separation of a multicomponent feed stream into a permeate stream rich in one or more components of the feed stream and a retentate stream lean in those same components comprising:
- a) passing said feed stream to a permeation unit containing a membrane having a first surface and a second opposing surface:
- b) contacting said first surface with said feed stream wherein one or more components of said feed stream selectively absorb into said first surface and permeate through said membrane from said first surface to said opposing second surface under the influence of a concentration gradient across said membrane, said concentration gradient being maintained by the use of a vacuum on said second surface, which vacuum is produced by a working fluid passing through a venturi nozzle which working fluid is comprised of one or more solvents that have an affinity for permeate molecules, said permeate being drawn from said second surface into said venturi nozzle and into said working fluid passing through said nozzle;
- and c) separating said permeate from said working fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.