- Email: [email protected]
Fluid sampling for microfiltration
PATENTS
Electrophoretic separation of particles Applicant/Inventor: J.-V. Kahl et aL (Germany) A method has been developed for the electrophoretic separation of particles, especially macro-molecules. The particles to be separated are applied to a substrate-supported membrane so that the particles are mobile across the surface of the membrane; an electric field is applied so that it is formed over the surfaces, across which the particles are mobile; and the electric field is modified and/or a substrate-supported membrane with a structured surface is used. The direction and strength of the electric field are temporarily modified (and/or the substrate-supported membrane is structured) such that a force acts on the particles which leads to a movement that depends on the length of the particles. The invention also provides details of a substrate especially for supporting a membrane, using an optically transparent material. The invention is also characterized by a substrate-supported membrane for carrying out the method, using a fluid, lipid membrane. A micro-channel electrophoresis chamber is provided with at least one channel, the bottom of which comprises a substrate, with an electrode system. Patent number: W O 01/07150 Inventors:J. Nissen, J. P,~dler, R. Zantl, B. Maier, U. R~idler,A. Hohner Publication date: 1 February 2001
non-porous, selectively permeable membrane. The volume of acidic stripping solution used is regulated relative to the volume of aqueous fluid to be treated, so that the total aromatic amine concentration in the acidic stripping solution, comprising the dissociated and undissociated aromatic amine concentrations, is above the solubility of the aromatic amine in water. The pH of the acidic stripping solution in contact with the membrane is also regulated so that the membrane remains selectively permeable. The pH of the aromatic amine-containing acidic stripping solution is adjusted to a value above the acidic dissociation constant of the aromatic amine, and the resulting aromatic amine and acidic stripping solution are separated. Patent number." W O 01/09042 Inventor: A.G. Livingston Publication date: 8 February 2001
a stack of flat membranes with increased mechanical stability. This is achieved by creating a stack of membranes comprising at least two layers of equal thickness, with spacers arranged at least between the two flat membranes. In producing the stacks of flat membranes, at least one partial layer is formed from one of the suspensions, and a second partial layer is subsequently formed from the other suspension or solution. At least one of the partial layers is formed with spacers. The layers are assembled to form flat membranes and sintered, and stacks are produced from these membranes, or spacers are formed and positioned on top of the layers, before or after sintering. Patent number." W O 01/10543 Inventors: J. Adler, R. Lenk, H.J. Richter, N. Stroh, S. Tudyka Publication date: 15 February 2001
Charged filtration membranes
Applicant." Reveo Inc, USA
Applicant: Genentech, USA.
The subject of this patent is a solid-state hydroxide conductive membrane. Its developer claims that it provides up to five times higher ionic conductivity and surface oxygen-exchange rate than conventional MIEC membranes, while operating at significantly lower temperatures. The hydroxide conductive membrane uses a porous ceramic backbone, the pores of which are injected with an electrolyte. A catalyst is provided as discrete layers at the anode and cathode. The membrane may be used in combination with an external voltage source to drive the oxygen-generating reaction. Alternatively, the pores may be metallised, and a pressure gradient is used to drive the reaction. In this way the membrane provides discrete materials to provide ionic conduction, electronic conduction and structural support. Patent number: W O 01/13453 Inventors: L.-E Li, W. Yao, M. Chen Publication date: 22 February 2001
Oxygen separation Charged filtration membranes have been developed for separating a protein from a solvent, low molecular weight solutes or a mixture of proteins. Modification of the membranes to generate a charge includes modification of the pores to alter the charge within a pore, and alter the size of a pore. Consequently, the protein is separated from other solutes in a mixture based on size, as well as on net protein charge and membrane charge. Patent number: W O 01/08792 Inventor." R.D. Van Reis Publication date.. 8 February 2001
Oxide ion-conductive ceramic membrane
Chemical cleaning for immersed filtering membranes
Applicant.. Air Liquide, France
Applicant." Zenon Environmental, Canada
This oxide ion-conductive ceramic membrane consists of a dense layer of opposite surfaces S and S' of a solid electrolyte with, at electrolysis temperature, an oxide ionconductive crystalline structure; two mixed porous conductive electrodes; two porous current collectors; and at least a porous coating layer. The membrane is useful for separating oxygen from air or from a gas mixture which contains oxygen. Patent number: W O 01/07149 Inventors: P.. Del Gallo, G. Gouriou Publication date: 1 February 2001
This method of chemically cleaning normally immersed suction-driven filtering membranes involves back-washing a chemical cleaner through the membranes while the tank is empty in repeated pulses in which the chemical cleaner is pumped to the membranes, separated by periods in which the cleaner is not pumped to the membranes. The duration and frequency of the pulses are chosen to provide an appropriate contact time of the chemical, without allowing the membranes to dry between pulses, and without using excessive use of chemicals. The membranes are back-washed with a chemical cleaner at the same time as the tank is being drained. The chemical cleaner is optionally supplied in pulses. Patent number: W O 01/08790 Inventors: P. Cote, H. Husain, H. Behmann, H.R. Rabie, N. Adams, J. Cadera Publication date: 8 February 200 l
Removing and recovering aromatic amines Applicant: Membrane Extraction Technology
Ltd, UK This patent describes a process for removing and recovering one or more undissociated aromatic amines dissolved in aqueous fluid. The process involves transferring one or more undissociated aromatic amines from the aqueous fluid to an acidic stripping solution, where transfer of the undissociated aromatic amine(s) from the aqueous fluid to the acidic stripping solution occurs across a membrane. The membrane is a
(~
Ceramic membranes Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Germany The patent describes a stack of flat, ceramic membranes which are used, for example, to separate oil-water emulsions; a method for their production is also disclosed. The aim is to provide
Fluid sampling for microfiltration Applicant: Bio/Data Corporation, USA Filtration cells capable of direct sampling of a fluid from a container and which may be used for microfiltration of both small and large 'micro-volumes' of a fluid are discussed. The filtration cells have one or more reservoirs and are in communication with fluid to be filtered (in a container) through a piercing instrument. The latter is connected to a base and support for a reservoir which r~ceives the fluid to be filtered after it has passed across a filter membrane. The filtration cell then may be pressurised and vented to allow the fluid to be filtered to pass across a filter membrane (reciprocally and tangentially) between either the container (with the fluid to be filtered) and a single reservoir for small volumes, or between two reservoirs, from the container, using a piercing instrument. Patent number." W O 01/12325 Inventors: W.E. Coville, D.M. St Onge Publication date: 22 February 2001
MembraneTechnologyNo.135
Electrophoretic separation of particles Applicant/Inventor: J.-V. Kahl et aL (Germany) A method has been developed for the electrophoretic separation of particles, especially macro-molecules. The particles to be separated are applied to a substrate-supported membrane so that the particles are mobile across the surface of the membrane; an electric field is applied so that it is formed over the surfaces, across which the particles are mobile; and the electric field is modified and/or a substrate-supported membrane with a structured surface is used. The direction and strength of the electric field are temporarily modified (and/or the substrate-supported membrane is structured) such that a force acts on the particles which leads to a movement that depends on the length of the particles. The invention also provides details of a substrate especially for supporting a membrane, using an optically transparent material. The invention is also characterized by a substrate-supported membrane for carrying out the method, using a fluid, lipid membrane. A micro-channel electrophoresis chamber is provided with at least one channel, the bottom of which comprises a substrate, with an electrode system. Patent number: W O 01/07150 Inventors:J. Nissen, J. P,~dler, R. Zantl, B. Maier, U. R~idler,A. Hohner Publication date: 1 February 2001
non-porous, selectively permeable membrane. The volume of acidic stripping solution used is regulated relative to the volume of aqueous fluid to be treated, so that the total aromatic amine concentration in the acidic stripping solution, comprising the dissociated and undissociated aromatic amine concentrations, is above the solubility of the aromatic amine in water. The pH of the acidic stripping solution in contact with the membrane is also regulated so that the membrane remains selectively permeable. The pH of the aromatic amine-containing acidic stripping solution is adjusted to a value above the acidic dissociation constant of the aromatic amine, and the resulting aromatic amine and acidic stripping solution are separated. Patent number." W O 01/09042 Inventor: A.G. Livingston Publication date: 8 February 2001
a stack of flat membranes with increased mechanical stability. This is achieved by creating a stack of membranes comprising at least two layers of equal thickness, with spacers arranged at least between the two flat membranes. In producing the stacks of flat membranes, at least one partial layer is formed from one of the suspensions, and a second partial layer is subsequently formed from the other suspension or solution. At least one of the partial layers is formed with spacers. The layers are assembled to form flat membranes and sintered, and stacks are produced from these membranes, or spacers are formed and positioned on top of the layers, before or after sintering. Patent number." W O 01/10543 Inventors: J. Adler, R. Lenk, H.J. Richter, N. Stroh, S. Tudyka Publication date: 15 February 2001
Charged filtration membranes
Applicant." Reveo Inc, USA
Applicant: Genentech, USA.
The subject of this patent is a solid-state hydroxide conductive membrane. Its developer claims that it provides up to five times higher ionic conductivity and surface oxygen-exchange rate than conventional MIEC membranes, while operating at significantly lower temperatures. The hydroxide conductive membrane uses a porous ceramic backbone, the pores of which are injected with an electrolyte. A catalyst is provided as discrete layers at the anode and cathode. The membrane may be used in combination with an external voltage source to drive the oxygen-generating reaction. Alternatively, the pores may be metallised, and a pressure gradient is used to drive the reaction. In this way the membrane provides discrete materials to provide ionic conduction, electronic conduction and structural support. Patent number: W O 01/13453 Inventors: L.-E Li, W. Yao, M. Chen Publication date: 22 February 2001
Oxygen separation Charged filtration membranes have been developed for separating a protein from a solvent, low molecular weight solutes or a mixture of proteins. Modification of the membranes to generate a charge includes modification of the pores to alter the charge within a pore, and alter the size of a pore. Consequently, the protein is separated from other solutes in a mixture based on size, as well as on net protein charge and membrane charge. Patent number: W O 01/08792 Inventor." R.D. Van Reis Publication date.. 8 February 2001
Oxide ion-conductive ceramic membrane
Chemical cleaning for immersed filtering membranes
Applicant.. Air Liquide, France
Applicant." Zenon Environmental, Canada
This oxide ion-conductive ceramic membrane consists of a dense layer of opposite surfaces S and S' of a solid electrolyte with, at electrolysis temperature, an oxide ionconductive crystalline structure; two mixed porous conductive electrodes; two porous current collectors; and at least a porous coating layer. The membrane is useful for separating oxygen from air or from a gas mixture which contains oxygen. Patent number: W O 01/07149 Inventors: P.. Del Gallo, G. Gouriou Publication date: 1 February 2001
This method of chemically cleaning normally immersed suction-driven filtering membranes involves back-washing a chemical cleaner through the membranes while the tank is empty in repeated pulses in which the chemical cleaner is pumped to the membranes, separated by periods in which the cleaner is not pumped to the membranes. The duration and frequency of the pulses are chosen to provide an appropriate contact time of the chemical, without allowing the membranes to dry between pulses, and without using excessive use of chemicals. The membranes are back-washed with a chemical cleaner at the same time as the tank is being drained. The chemical cleaner is optionally supplied in pulses. Patent number: W O 01/08790 Inventors: P. Cote, H. Husain, H. Behmann, H.R. Rabie, N. Adams, J. Cadera Publication date: 8 February 200 l
Removing and recovering aromatic amines Applicant: Membrane Extraction Technology
Ltd, UK This patent describes a process for removing and recovering one or more undissociated aromatic amines dissolved in aqueous fluid. The process involves transferring one or more undissociated aromatic amines from the aqueous fluid to an acidic stripping solution, where transfer of the undissociated aromatic amine(s) from the aqueous fluid to the acidic stripping solution occurs across a membrane. The membrane is a
(~
Ceramic membranes Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Germany The patent describes a stack of flat, ceramic membranes which are used, for example, to separate oil-water emulsions; a method for their production is also disclosed. The aim is to provide
Fluid sampling for microfiltration Applicant: Bio/Data Corporation, USA Filtration cells capable of direct sampling of a fluid from a container and which may be used for microfiltration of both small and large 'micro-volumes' of a fluid are discussed. The filtration cells have one or more reservoirs and are in communication with fluid to be filtered (in a container) through a piercing instrument. The latter is connected to a base and support for a reservoir which r~ceives the fluid to be filtered after it has passed across a filter membrane. The filtration cell then may be pressurised and vented to allow the fluid to be filtered to pass across a filter membrane (reciprocally and tangentially) between either the container (with the fluid to be filtered) and a single reservoir for small volumes, or between two reservoirs, from the container, using a piercing instrument. Patent number." W O 01/12325 Inventors: W.E. Coville, D.M. St Onge Publication date: 22 February 2001
MembraneTechnologyNo.135