Methods and devices for minimizing membrane fouling for microfluidic separators

US8262909B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Dan Angelescu · Cambridge, US
• Philippe Salamitou · Mamaroneck, US
• Joyce Wong · Pasadena, US
• Bhavani Raghuraman · Wilton, US
• Brian Clark · Missouri City, US
• Christopher Harrison · Vashon, US
• Matthew T. Sullivan · Westwood, US
• Andreas Hausot · Paris, FR
• Florence Le Gallic de Kerizouet · Vannes, FR

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 15, 2009
• Grant date: Sep 11, 2012
• Expiry date: Oct 25, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2001/4016
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A fluid separation method for performing fluid analysis of an unfiltered fluid. The fluid separation method includes providing a structure with a fluid analyzer and a power supply. Using a substrate for receiving a fluid flow stream of a multiphase mixture through a fluid sample inlet, wherein the substrate interconnects with the structure. Providing a membrane disposed across the fluid sample inlet for separating a fluid of interest from the multiphase mixture, wherein the fluid flow stream of the multiphase mixture has a shear rate that prevents a fouling of the membrane. Finally, the fluid separation method includes the substrate having fabricated channels, such that the fabricated channels are arranged substantially tangent to the fluid stream downstream of the porous membrane.