Disclosed is the preparation of composite membranes formed by a tailored selective chemical modification of an ultra-thin nanoporous surface layer of a semi-crystalline mesoporous poly (aryl ether ketone) membrane with graded density pore structure. The composite separation layer is synthesized in situ on the poly (aryl ether ketone) substrate surface and is covalently linked to the surface of the semi-crystalline mesoporous poly (aryl ether ketone) membrane. Hollow fiber configuration is the preferred embodiment of forming the functionalized the poly (aryl ether ketone) membranes. Composite poly (aryl ether ketone) membranes of the present invention are particularly useful for a broad range of fluid separation applications, including organic solvent ultrafiltration and nanofiltration to separate and recover active pharmaceutical ingredients.

A composite membrane suitable for separating a gas from a gas mixture comprising a selective layer coated on a support, wherein said selective layer comprises: a) a polymeric matrix comprising an amine polymer; b) a graphene oxide nanofiller; and c) a mobile carrier selected from an ionic liquid or an amino acid salt.

A composite membrane suitable for separating a gas from a gas mixture comprising a selective layer coated on a support, wherein said selective layer comprises: a) a polymeric matrix comprising an amine polymer; b) a graphene oxide nanofiller; and c) a mobile carrier selected from an ionic liquid or an amino acid salt.

The invention relates to a method for preparing a hierarchical porous zeolite membrane and an application thereof, comprising the following steps: a mesoporous structure-directing agent is added to limit the growth of zeolite crystals, and self-assembled in the crystallization process to generate a mesoporous structure. Based on a seed crystal induced secondary nucleation mechanism, this method can realize one-step hydrothermal synthesis of hierarchical porous zeolite membrane with the advantages of mild and controllable synthesis conditions, simple process, good repeatability, reduced energy consumption and cost savings. The hierarchical porous zeolite membrane prepared by the method has good cut-off performance, and the cut-off molecular weight is adjustable between 200 to 500,000 Da.

The invention relates to a method for preparing a hierarchical porous zeolite membrane and an application thereof, comprising the following steps: a mesoporous structure-directing agent is added to limit the growth of zeolite crystals, and self-assembled in the crystallization process to generate a mesoporous structure. Based on a seed crystal induced secondary nucleation mechanism, this method can realize one-step hydrothermal synthesis of hierarchical porous zeolite membrane with the advantages of mild and controllable synthesis conditions, simple process, good repeatability, reduced energy consumption and cost savings. The hierarchical porous zeolite membrane prepared by the method has good cut-off performance, and the cut-off molecular weight is adjustable between 200 to 500,000 Da.

A process for the efficient transfer of molecules between phases employing mesoporous poly (aryl ether ketone) hollow fiber membranes is provided. The method addresses the controlled transfer of reactants into and removal of reaction products from a reaction media and the removal and separation of target molecules from process streams by membrane-assisted liquid-liquid extraction. A number of possible modes of liquid-liquid extraction are possible according to the invention by utilizing porous poly (aryl ether ketone) hollow fiber membranes of Janus-like structure that exhibit a combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic surface characteristics. The method of the present invention can address the continuous manufacture of chemicals in membrane reactors and is useful for a broad range of separation applications, including separation and recovery of active pharmaceutical ingredients.

An integrity testing method for a porous medium in a housing having an interior separated by the medium into upstream and downstream portions, an inlet and an outlet communicating, respectively, with the upstream and downstream portions, the outlet connected to a closeable conduit, comprises filling the downstream portion and conduit with liquid, draining the upstream portion and filling it with gas while retaining liquid in the downstream portion, connecting a gas-filled testing volume to the downstream portion, maintaining gas pressure of a predetermined testing differential pressure in the upstream portion, the differential pressure being lower than a predefined bubble point of the medium, determining the pressure in the testing volume, the testing volume selected such that, when a medium is tested having a bubble point corresponding to the predefined bubble point, a pressure increase within the testing volume of about 100 mbar or more is obtained within 10 minutes.

Described herein are separation articles such as, for example, films, membranes and the like separating at least one component from a gaseous mixture comprising two or more components comprising difluoromethane (HFC-32, CH.sub.2F.sub.2) and pentafluoroethane (HFC-125, C.sub.2F.sub.5H). The disclosed articles include a “selective layer” that is selectively permeable for the desired component to be separated from the gas mixture. The selective layer is composed of an amorphous fluorinated copolymer. Optionally, the article may include other layers which serve various purposes such as, for example, a porous support layer, a “gutter layer,” which allows the permeate gas to pass from the selective layer to the porous layer with minimal flow impedance, and a protective layer, which protects the selective layer from fouling. Each component of the separation articles described herein and methods for making and using the same are provided below.

Membrane oxygenators useful in a variety of medical situations, including various short-term procedures and relatively longer-term life support, and components of membrane-based oxygenators, such as conditioning modules for exchanging oxygen for carbon dioxide during extracorporeal conditioning of blood, are described. A conditioning module includes a plurality of mats of hollow fibers and a potting material disposed throughout the peripheral edges of the mats to create a circumferential seal that defines a passageway through the plurality of fiber mats having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. The circumferential seal defines an effective fiber length for each of the hollow fibers. A resisting member is disposed across the proximal ends of at least some of the hollow fibers and is adapted to resist fluid flow into each of the hollow fibers based on the effective fiber length of the particular hollow fiber.

Hollow fiber membranes, membrane contactors, and related production and use methods. The asymmetric hollow fiber membranes include a porous substrate having a multiplicity of pores and including at least one semi-crystalline thermoplastic polyolefin (co)polymer. A skin layer including at least one polydiorganosiloxane polyoxamide copolymer overlays the porous substrate. The skin layer is less porous than the porous substrate and forms an outer surface of the asymmetric hollow fiber membrane, while the porous substrate forms an inner surface of the hollow fiber membrane. The skin layer is preferably nonporous.