초록 ▼

A method for improving water transport and reducing shrinkage stress in membrane humidifying devices, and membrane humidifying devices and systems employing such devices that achieve enhanced and stable humidification performance, are disclosed. The inventive membrane humidifying device is made up o

A method for improving water transport and reducing shrinkage stress in membrane humidifying devices, and membrane humidifying devices and systems employing such devices that achieve enhanced and stable humidification performance, are disclosed. The inventive membrane humidifying device is made up of at least one membrane cell and means for introducing water into the cell(s). The membrane cell(s) includes at least one sheet of a hydrophilic membrane and at least one rigid screen, positioned adjacent to at least one membrane sheet. The cell(s) is assembled when the membrane sheet(s) is in a dry, contracted state and the assembled cell(s) is then exposed to an elevated temperature/vacuum treatment. As a result, the surfaces of the membrane sheet(s) permanently conform to the contours of an adjacent rigid screen.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for improving water transport and reducing shrinkage stress in a membrane humidifying device that produces humidified air, wherein said humidifying device comprises at least one membrane cell and a means for introducing water into each said cell, wherein said method comprises: assembling at

A method for improving water transport and reducing shrinkage stress in a membrane humidifying device that produces humidified air, wherein said humidifying device comprises at least one membrane cell and a means for introducing water into each said cell, wherein said method comprises: assembling at least one membrane cell which comprises: at least one sheet of a dry and contracted hydrophilic membrane having a first surface and a second surface, that is capable of osmotically transporting water from said first surface to said second surface, and at least one rigid screen, located contiguous to at least one membrane sheet, for providing even water flow distribution to and support for said membrane sheet(s); passing water, having a temperature of from about 45°C. to about 90°C., through said assembled cell(s), while simultaneously applying a vacuum to said cell(s), for a period of at least about 30 minutes until at least said first surface of each said membrane sheet permanently conforms to a surface of a contiguous rigid screen.