Hollow fiber membrane with compatible reinforcements
First Claim
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1. A hollow fiber membrane comprising:
- a) a membrane wall formed from a membrane dope; and
b) one or more yarns or tows of filaments embedded in the membrane wall;
wherein the filaments are made, at least in part, of a polymer that is adapted to bond to the membrane dope or the membrane wall; and
wherein the one or more yarns or tows of filaments embedded in the membrane wall have a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the length of the membrane that is larger when measured perpendicular to a radius of the membrane that when measured parallel to the radius of the membrane, andwherein a cylindrical bundle of the filaments has a diameter that is greater than the thickness of the membrane wall.
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Abstract
A process of making a reinforced hollow fiber membrane comprises flowing a membrane dope through a casting head while drawing one or more yarns or tows of filaments through the casting head. The filaments are spread apart in the casting head, for example by forcing the yarns or tows around a bend or through a narrow gap in the casting head. The filaments are adapted to bond to the membrane dope or the membrane wall. A reinforced hollow fiber membrane comprises a plurality of filaments individually surrounded by, and bonded to, the membrane wall.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A hollow fiber membrane comprising:
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a) a membrane wall formed from a membrane dope; and b) one or more yarns or tows of filaments embedded in the membrane wall; wherein the filaments are made, at least in part, of a polymer that is adapted to bond to the membrane dope or the membrane wall; and wherein the one or more yarns or tows of filaments embedded in the membrane wall have a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the length of the membrane that is larger when measured perpendicular to a radius of the membrane that when measured parallel to the radius of the membrane, and wherein a cylindrical bundle of the filaments has a diameter that is greater than the thickness of the membrane wall. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A process of making a reinforced hollow fiber membrane comprising the steps of,
a) flowing a membrane dope through a casting head; -
b) drawing one or more yarns or tows of filaments through the casting head, the filaments initially forming a generally cylindrical bundle before they enter the casting head; and
,c) forcing the one or more yarns or tows filaments around at least one bend in the casting head, or through at least one gap in the casting head that is narrower than the initial cylindrical bundle of the filaments, such that the one or more yarns or tows are flattened relative to the initial generally cylindrical bundle. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A reinforced hollow fiber membrane comprising a membrane wall and one or more tows cast into the membrane wall, each tow comprising a plurality of generally parallel continuous filaments, wherein the filaments of the tow are spread apart such that the membrane wall extends between at least most pairs of adjacent filaments within the tow, and wherein the filaments comprise a Polymer present in the membrane wall.
Specification