Patent · US Active

Liquid filtration using pressure difference across a hydrophobic membrane

US8652332B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
20References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 11, 2010
Grant dateFeb 18, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 17, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02A20/131
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Method and devices for filtering liquid are provided that rely on pressure difference to filter liquid. In one embodiment, a device for filtering liquid includes a feed chamber, a permeate chamber, and a porous membrane that is at least partially hydrophobic and has one or more pores configured to be permeable to vapor. A pressure of a liquid substance in the feed chamber is increased such that vapor of the liquid substance is transported from the feed chamber to the permeate chamber. The resistance of flow in a hydrophilic layer of the membrane can be controlled to make the membrane defect-tolerant. In another embodiment, a second porous membrane is further included and the second porous membrane is spaced apart from the first porous membrane. Various methods for filtering liquid are also provided.

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