Non-alcoholic wine by pervaporation

Non-alcoholic wine by pervaporation

News and Views non-selective adsorption of protein onto the membrane surface. In the work (Journal of Membrane Science, 56,1991,289-302), a polyethyl...

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non-selective adsorption of protein onto the membrane surface. In the work (Journal of Membrane Science, 56,1991,289-302), a polyethylene based hollow fibre membrane was used containing an alcoholic hydroxy group or diol group. This was prepared by radiation induced grafting of vinyl acetate or glycidyl acetate onto a porous polyethylene hollow fibre, followed by saponification or acid hydrolysis. Permeabilities and water flux was improved as a result, while non-selective protein adsorption was significantly reduced compared to the initial hollow fibre.

New player Membrane Systems Corporation, Goleta, California, a new presence in membrane technology, has been set up by Ashwin M Desai, a former president and ceo of Hydranautics. The company has expertise in reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration.

Removal of colloidal silica Desalination Systems Inc, Escondido, California, has developed a new thin film membrane, the G series, which is claimed to have been successfully tested for the removal of colloidal silica from water. The UF membrane has a chlorine tolerance up to 100 ppm.

Ultra-high purity hydrogen Ultra-high purity hydrogen can be produced from gaseous mixtures by membrane separation using membranes made of palladium and palladium alloys. This is the claim of a report on research carried out at Japan's Waseda University, Department of Applied Chemistry (Journal of Membrane Science, 56, 1991, 315-325). The properties are discussed of a silverpalladium composite supported on the outer surface of a porous alumina cylinder. Palladium and palladium alloy membranes have also gained interest as membrane reactors, but generally have low efficiency compared to microporous glass. In the experiments described, the cylinder is coated with the metals and then heat treated at 1173°K for 12 hours in a stream of argon. The silver melts to form an alloy with the palladium.

Membrane Technology

Hydrogen selectivity and permeability showed extremely good results. The hydrogen permeability reached a m a x i m u m at a silver content in the alloy of 23%.

Non-alcoholic wine by pervaporation It is reported that Sante Vinyards, California, has installed a $400,000 pervaporation system for the production of non-alcoholic wines. The system, which uses a GFT membrane is capable of processing, white, sparkling, and blush (rose) wines, while a system for red wine is still under R&D. Pervaporation is a relative newcomer to the the low- or non-alcohol drinks scene, although reverse osmosis is somewhat more established. In North America for example, Seagram has been using RO to reduce the alcohol content of whisky, and has developed a product - Mount Royal Lite, containing 27% alcohol - for test marketing.

New editor for membrane journal Following the retirement of Harry Lonsdale as editorin-chief of the Journal of Membrane Science, W J Koros of the University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA, has been appointed to the post. In addition, two n e w posts on the journal have been created - K W Boddecker of GKSS Research Centre, Germany, and A G Fane of the University of New South Wales, Australia, both become editors. All three of the n e w appointees have previously served on the editorial board. In other respects, the advisory board and editorial board remain unchanged. Lonsdale is to be acknowledged on the masthead as "founding editor". The n e w appointments, which are effective September 1991, also bring a change in submission procedure for papers. From September, these are to be made to the appropriate editor on a geographical basis, as follows: For North, Central and South America t o W J Koros, Chemical Engineering Dept, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712-1062, USA; fax (+1 512) 471 9643. For the whole of Europe (including the USSR) and the Middle East to K W Boddecker, GKSS Research Centre, Postfach 1160, 2054 Geesthacht, Germany; fax (+49 4152) 87 2444. For Africa, Australia, India and the Far East to A G Fane, School of Chemical Engineering,

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