The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to systems, apparatus, and methods for fluid purification (e.g., water) with a ceramic membrane. For example, the present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to a cross-flow fluid filtration assembly comprising (a) membrane housing comprising a plurality of hexagonal prism shaped membranes (b) an inlet configured to receive the contaminated fluid and to channel a contaminated fluid to the first end of the plurality of hexagonal prism shaped membranes, and (c) an outlet configured to receive a permeate released from the second end of the plurality of hexagonal shaped membranes. The present disclosure also relates to a cross-flow fluid filtration module comprising a fluid path defined by a contaminated media inlet chamber, a fluid filtration assembly positioned in a permeate chamber and a concentrate chamber.

The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to systems, apparatus, and methods for fluid purification (e.g., water) with a ceramic membrane. For example, the present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to a cross-flow fluid filtration assembly comprising (a) membrane housing comprising a plurality of hexagonal prism shaped membranes (b) an inlet configured to receive the contaminated fluid and to channel a contaminated fluid to the first end of the plurality of hexagonal prism shaped membranes, and (c) an outlet configured to receive a permeate released from the second end of the plurality of hexagonal shaped membranes. The present disclosure also relates to a cross-flow fluid filtration module comprising a fluid path defined by a contaminated media inlet chamber, a fluid filtration assembly positioned in a permeate chamber and a concentrate chamber.

The present invention concerns a device for producing electrical energy, comprising: a) a first reservoir A for receiving an electrolyte solution having a concentration CA of a solute and comprising an electrode (30A) in contact with the electrolyte solution having concentration CA; b) a second reservoir B for receiving an electrolyte solution having a concentration CB of one and the same solute, CB being lower than CA, and comprising an electrode in contact with the electrolyte solution having concentration CB; c) a membrane separating the two reservoirs, said membrane comprising pores allowing the electrolytes to diffuse from reservoir A to reservoir B through said pore or pores; and d) a device capable of supplying the electrical energy generated by the potential difference existing between the two electrodes, characterized in that the membrane comprises at least one layer formed of a cellulosic material comprising a network of crosslinked cellulose nanofibres and/or microfibres.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composite articles that have a macro textured surface. The composite articles include at least two different PTFE membranes in a layered or stacked configuration. The composite article has a macro textured surface characterized by a plurality of strands raised from the surface of the PTFE membrane. The strands may be formed of either interconnected nodes of PTFE or of at least one nodal mass of PTFE and have a length equal to or greater than about 1.5 mm. The macro textured surface provides a topography to the first PTFE membrane. The composite articles have a bubble point from about 3.0 psi to about 200 psi, a thickness from about 0.01 to about 3.0 mm, and a bulk density from about 0.01 g/cm.sup.3 to about 1.0 g/cm.sup.3.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composite articles that have a macro textured surface. The composite articles include at least two different PTFE membranes in a layered or stacked configuration. The composite article has a macro textured surface characterized by a plurality of strands raised from the surface of the PTFE membrane. The strands may be formed of either interconnected nodes of PTFE or of at least one nodal mass of PTFE and have a length equal to or greater than about 1.5 mm. The macro textured surface provides a topography to the first PTFE membrane. The composite articles have a bubble point from about 3.0 psi to about 200 psi, a thickness from about 0.01 to about 3.0 mm, and a bulk density from about 0.01 g/cm.sup.3 to about 1.0 g/cm.sup.3.

The present invention provides: a gas separation method which is capable of desirably separating a slight amount of a component from a mixed gas under mild conditions such that the pressure difference between both sides of a gas separation membrane is 1 atmosphere or less; and a gas separation membrane which is suitable for use in this gas separation method. According to the present invention, in a gas separation method wherein a specific gas (A) in a mixed gas, which contains the specific gas (A) at a concentration of 1,000 ppm by mass or less, is selectively permeated with use of a gas separation membrane, an extremely thin gas separation membrane that has a film thickness of 1 μm or less is used, so that the gas (A) is desirably separated under mild conditions such that the pressure difference between both sides of the gas separation membrane is 1 atmosphere or less.

The gas separation membrane element contains a gas separation membrane, and a sealing portion for preventing mixture of a source gas and a specific gas permeated through a gas separation membrane. The gas separation membrane has a first porous layer including a porous membrane, and a hydrophilic resin composition layer disposed on the first porous layer. The sealing portion is a region in which a cured material of a sealant penetrates in at least the first porous layer in the gas separation membrane, and a thermal expansion coefficient A of the sealing portion and a thermal expansion coefficient B of a material forming the first porous layer satisfy a relation (I):
0.35≤A/B≤1.0  (I).

The gas separation membrane element contains a gas separation membrane, and a sealing portion for preventing mixture of a source gas and a specific gas permeated through a gas separation membrane. The gas separation membrane has a first porous layer including a porous membrane, and a hydrophilic resin composition layer disposed on the first porous layer. The sealing portion is a region in which a cured material of a sealant penetrates in at least the first porous layer in the gas separation membrane, and a thermal expansion coefficient A of the sealing portion and a thermal expansion coefficient B of a material forming the first porous layer satisfy a relation (I):
0.35≤A/B≤1.0  (I).

A crosslinked microporous membrane (crosslinked polymer) composition useful in gas separation, the membrane comprising: (i) an aromatic polymer containing a multiplicity of benzene rings; and (ii) a multiplicity of fluorinated aromatic moieties, each fluorinated aromatic moiety containing at least two separate methylene (—CH.sub.2—) linkages connected to benzene rings on the aromatic polymer; wherein the cross-linked microporous membrane possesses micropores having a pore size of up to 2 nm. Also described are methods for producing the crosslinked polymer and a microporous carbon material produced by pyrolysis of the crosslinked polymer membrane. Also described are methods for using the crosslinked polymer and microporous carbon material for gas or liquid separation, filtration, or purification.

A crosslinked microporous membrane (crosslinked polymer) composition useful in gas separation, the membrane comprising: (i) an aromatic polymer containing a multiplicity of benzene rings; and (ii) a multiplicity of fluorinated aromatic moieties, each fluorinated aromatic moiety containing at least two separate methylene (—CH.sub.2—) linkages connected to benzene rings on the aromatic polymer; wherein the cross-linked microporous membrane possesses micropores having a pore size of up to 2 nm. Also described are methods for producing the crosslinked polymer and a microporous carbon material produced by pyrolysis of the crosslinked polymer membrane. Also described are methods for using the crosslinked polymer and microporous carbon material for gas or liquid separation, filtration, or purification.