Method for producing a selectively permeable separation module
First Claim
1. A method for casting a polymeric membrane on the inside surface of a porous wall tube to create a permeate separation system, the steps comprising:
- (a) forming a polymer solution consisting of a polymer dissolved in a liquid solvent;
(b) pouring the polymer solution into the porous tube, said porous wall tube having a cap at one end;
(c) capping the other end of the porous wall tube so that the polymer solution is sealed within the porous tube;
(d) aligning the longitudinal axis of the porous tube in a substantially horizontal position;
(e) rotating the aligned porous tube about its longitudinal axis at a speed of less than 60 revolutions per minute so that the polymer solution solvent evaporates through the porous wall tube to provide a polymer film having a uniform thickness on the inside surface of the porous wall tube, the polymer film and porous wall tube thereby constituting the permeate separation system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for casting a polymeric membrane on the inside surface of porous tubes to provide a permeate filter system capable of withstanding hostile operating conditions and having excellent selectivity capabilities. Any polymer in solution, by either solvent means or melt processing means, is capable of being used in the present invention to form a thin polymer membrane having uniform thickness on the inside surface of a porous tube. Multiple tubes configured as a tubular module can also be coated with the polymer solution. By positioning the longitudinal axis of the tubes in a substantially horizontal position and rotating the tube about the longitudinal axis, the polymer solution coats the inside surface of the porous tubes without substantially infiltrating the pores of the porous tubes, thereby providing a permeate filter system having enhanced separation capabilities.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for casting a polymeric membrane on the inside surface of a porous wall tube to create a permeate separation system, the steps comprising:
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(a) forming a polymer solution consisting of a polymer dissolved in a liquid solvent; (b) pouring the polymer solution into the porous tube, said porous wall tube having a cap at one end; (c) capping the other end of the porous wall tube so that the polymer solution is sealed within the porous tube; (d) aligning the longitudinal axis of the porous tube in a substantially horizontal position; (e) rotating the aligned porous tube about its longitudinal axis at a speed of less than 60 revolutions per minute so that the polymer solution solvent evaporates through the porous wall tube to provide a polymer film having a uniform thickness on the inside surface of the porous wall tube, the polymer film and porous wall tube thereby constituting the permeate separation system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for casting a polymeric membrane on the inside surface of multiple porous wall tubes of a tubular module to create a permeate separation system, the steps comprising:
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(a) forming a polymer solution consisting of a polymer dissolved in a liquid solvent; (b) pouring the polymer solution into the porous tubes of a tubular module, said porous tubes having a cap at one end; (c) capping the other end of the porous wall tubes so that the polymer solution is sealed within the porous tubes; (d) aligning the longitudinal axis of the tubular module in a substantially horizontal position; (e) rotating the aligned tubular module about its longitudinal axis at a speed of less than 60 revolutions per minute so that the polymer solution solvent evaporates through the porous wall tubes to provide a polymer film having a uniform thickness on the inside surface of the porous wall tubes, the polymer film and porous wall tubes thereby constituting the permeate separation system. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A permeate filter system prepared by a process comprising the steps of:
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(a) forming a polymer solution; (b) pouring the polymer solution into a plurality of porous tubes comprising a tubular module, each of said porous tubes having a cap at one end; (c) capping the other end of each of the porous tubes so that the ends of the tube are sealed from the ambient environment; (d) aligning the longitudinal axis of the tubular module in a substantially horizontal position; (e) rotating the aligned tubular module about its longitudinal axis at a speed of less than 60 revolutions per minute so that the polymer solution solvent evaporates through the porous wall tubes to provide a polymer film having a uniform thickness on the inside surface of the porous wall tubes, the polymer film and porous wall tubes thereby constituting the permeate filter system; (f) removing the caps at each end of each of the porous tubes. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification