A filtering element for the filtration of a fluid medium comprises a rigid porous support of cylindrical shape having a longitudinal central axis (A) and a plurality of channels for the circulation of the fluid medium to be filtered and collection of filtrate on the periphery of the support. The channels are arranged in the support parallel to its central axis central (A) and define at least three filtering zones which are distributed concentrically and separated from each other by a continuous porous zone. The mean thickness of the porous zone (Z.sub.1) closest to the central axis (A) is smaller than the mean thickness of the porous zone (Z.sub.n-1) the closest to the periphery of the support (1) and, in the direction moving away from the central axis (A) of the support towards its periphery, the mean thickness of a porous zone is either identical to the next or smaller.

The present invention relates to a method of removing a gas from a mixture. The method includes contacting a silicone membrane with a feed mixture including at least a first gas component and contacting a second side of the membrane with an organosilicon sweep liquid, producing a retentate mixture depleted in the first gas component and an organosilicon sweep liquid enriched in the first gas component. The invention also provides methods of removing a gas from a liquid, and methods of regenerating and recycling an organosilicon sweep liquid.

The present invention relates to a method of removing a gas from a mixture. The method includes contacting a silicone membrane with a feed mixture including at least a first gas component and contacting a second side of the membrane with an organosilicon sweep liquid, producing a retentate mixture depleted in the first gas component and an organosilicon sweep liquid enriched in the first gas component. The invention also provides methods of removing a gas from a liquid, and methods of regenerating and recycling an organosilicon sweep liquid.

An array of hollow nanotubes is configured and dimensioned to allow impurities to transport through the hollow nanotubes from a first space containing an impurity-laden fluid to a second space where the impurities may be collected for removal, allowing fluids, such as blood, to be purified.

A method of manufacturing a separator element for obtaining molecular and/or particulate separation by tangential flow of a fluid medium for treatment into a filtrate and a retentate, the element having a structure (2) of at least two porous rigid columns (3) made of the same material, positioned side by side to define, outside their outside walls, a volume (4) for recovering the filtrate, each column (3) presenting, internally, at least one open structure (5) for passing a flow of the fluid medium, opening out in one of the ends of the porous column for inlet of the fluid medium for treatment, and in the other end for outlet of the retentate. The element is a single-piece rigid structure (2) made as a single piece that is uniform and continuous throughout, without any bonds or exogenous additions.

The present invention relates to a water sampling immersion probe (50) for continuously filtering a water sample from wastewater (14). The water sampling immersion probe (50) includes a distal coarse filter (60) with a porosity of 0.1 to 1.0 mm, a proximal fine filter (70) arranged downstream of the coarse filter (60) and having a porosity of less than 5.0 μm, and a sample suction opening (74) arranged downstream of the fine filter (70). The coarse filter (60) is arranged to not contact the fine filter (70).

The present invention relates to a water sampling immersion probe (50) for continuously filtering a water sample from wastewater (14). The water sampling immersion probe (50) includes a distal coarse filter (60) with a porosity of 0.1 to 1.0 mm, a proximal fine filter (70) arranged downstream of the coarse filter (60) and having a porosity of less than 5.0 μm, and a sample suction opening (74) arranged downstream of the fine filter (70). The coarse filter (60) is arranged to not contact the fine filter (70).

The present invention relates to novel co-polymers and their use in the manufacture of porous membranes for haemodialysis application. In particular, such a co-polymer comprises a first segment comprising recurring units poly(aryl ether sulfone) [PAES recurring units], and a second segment comprising-recurring units poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) [PVP recurring units], wherein said first segment and said second segment are linked together via a group of formula —O-Ph-NH—C(═O)—C(CH.sub.3).sub.2—CH.sub.2—.

The present invention relates to novel co-polymers and their use in the manufacture of porous membranes for haemodialysis application. In particular, such a co-polymer comprises a first segment comprising recurring units poly(aryl ether sulfone) [PAES recurring units], and a second segment comprising-recurring units poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) [PVP recurring units], wherein said first segment and said second segment are linked together via a group of formula —O-Ph-NH—C(═O)—C(CH.sub.3).sub.2—CH.sub.2—.

The invention provides a hollow fiber membrane exhibiting a favorable gas permeation performance and an excellent heat resistance in which the generation of pinholes are suppressed, and a hollow fiber membrane module using the same. The hollow fiber membrane comprising a gas permeable nonporous layer; and a porous supporting layer to support the nonporous layer formed of a thermoplastic elastomer having a DSC melting peak temperature of 130° C. or higher and a rupture elongation prescribed in ISO 37 (2010) of 300% or more.