Patent · US Expired

Process for increasing the selectivity of anisotropic gas separation membranes

US4776936A · kind A · utility

21Cited by

11References

5Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Gulf South Research Institute · US

Inventors

James K. Smith · Slidell, US
Stephen C. Lynch · Ballwin, US
John W. McTopy, II · LaPlace, US

Key dates

Filing date	May 9, 1986
Grant date	Oct 11, 1988
Priority date	—
Expiry date	May 9, 2006

Classification

Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
CPC primaryB01J19/126
WIPO fieldChemical engineering
WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Anisotropic gas separation membranes are treated to alter the microporosity of their thin, dense layer or composite coating--the layer or coating which provides selectivity in separations employing such membranes. The treatment increases the selectivity of a membrane with minimal decrease in its flux. The process comprises applying a polar activator to the membrane followed by exposing the membrane to microwave frequency radiation for a period of time sufficient to compact the thin layer of the membrane. The polar activator may be incorporated in the membrane during fabrication or applied as an after-treatment.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.