초록 ▼

A membrane separation and purification process, and the associated apparatus, provides separation of one membrane-permeable component from another, where both are contained in a multiple-component fluid mixture, as a dynamic function of the differences in respective rates of attainment of and declin

A membrane separation and purification process, and the associated apparatus, provides separation of one membrane-permeable component from another, where both are contained in a multiple-component fluid mixture, as a dynamic function of the differences in respective rates of attainment of and declination from steady-state membrane permeation. The process and apparatus are equally well suited to multi-component fluid mixtures that are liquid or gaseous.

대표청구항 ▼

A membrane separation process in which a non-porous semi-permeable membrane having a first side and a second side is used to separate components in a multi-component fluid feed mixture wherein a first component of said feed mixture approaches steady-state permeation of said membrane at a faster rate

A membrane separation process in which a non-porous semi-permeable membrane having a first side and a second side is used to separate components in a multi-component fluid feed mixture wherein a first component of said feed mixture approaches steady-state permeation of said membrane at a faster rate than a second component of said mixture, said membrane comprising at least two phases, said process comprising the steps of: (a) introducing said feed mixture to said first side of said membrane so that said first and second components begin to approach their steady-state permeation of said membrane; and (b) collecting from said second side of said membrane for a predetermined period of time a new mixture enriched in said first component relative to said feed mixture as a function of a difference in dynamic membrane permeability rates of said first and second components, the predetermined period of time beginning before said second component attains steady-state permeation of said membrane.