Hydrogen generation assemblies, hydrogen purification devices, and their components are disclosed. In some embodiments, the devices may include a permeate frame with a membrane support structure having first and second membrane support plates that are free from perforations and that include a plurality of microgrooves configured to provide flow channels for at least part of the permeate stream. In some embodiments, the assemblies may include a return conduit fluidly connecting a buffer tank and a reformate conduit, a return valve assembly configured to manage flow in the return conduit, and a control assembly configured to operate a fuel processing assembly between run and standby modes based, at least in part, on detected pressure in the buffer tank and configured to direct the return valve assembly to allow product hydrogen stream to flow from the buffer tank to the reformate conduit when the fuel processing assembly is in the standby mode.

A membrane filter module configured to treat a liquid contained in a tank at an ambient pressure. The module may have a header, with a bundle containing a plurality of substantially vertical hollow fiber membranes, wherein a lower end of each hollow fiber membrane is fixed in the header. The module may also have a gasification device adapted to periodically generate a gaseous bubble and configured to release the gaseous bubble within the bundle. The module may further have an enclosure that substantially surrounds the bundle that extends from a lower region to an upper region of the membrane bundle, wherein the enclosure is configured to retain the liquid introduced into the enclosure such that the liquid surrounds the membrane bundle. The gaseous bubble has a cross-sectional area that corresponds with a cross-sectional area of the enclosure, such that the cross-sectional area of the gaseous bubble occupies substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the enclosure as it flows along the bundle.

The present application includes a system and method that introduces a rather new and unique approach to desalinating or recovering energy from hyper saline waters. The system includes a flat sheet membrane panel assembly including a plurality of membranes laid flat. A plurality of end caps are coupled to the plurality of membranes on opposing ends. A frame is configured to house the plurality of membranes and the plurality of end caps. The frame includes a top and bottom header to secure the membranes and permit the passage of fluid away from the membranes. The method includes subjecting a flat sheet membrane to pressurized untreated fluid. The fluid passes through a porous portion of a frame and is filtered by one or more flat sheet membranes. The treated fluid is collected and the brine is discharged. Pressure of the fluid is regulated to maintain consistent levels.

A hollow fiber membrane module includes a housing having an inlet formed one end thereof and an outlet formed on the other end thereof, in which hot and humid humidifying fluid flows in through the inlet and the humidifying fluid after humidifying a cool and dry fluid flowing out of the housing through the outlet; at least one hollow fiber membrane bundle which is inserted into the housing in the longitudinal direction; a partitioning part for supporting the hollow fiber membrane bundle and partitioning an inflow space, in which the humidifying fluid flowing into the housing momentarily remains, and an outflow space, in which the humidifying fluid momentarily remains before being discharged through the outlet; and a potting part for potting both ends of the hollow fiber membrane bundle to the housing.

A bioreactor has a biofilm that receives a gas through a supporting membrane and another biofilm attached to an inert support. The first biofilm is aerated through the membrane and provides nitrification. The other biofilm has an anoxic or anaerobic zone and provides denitrification. A module useful in the bioreactor has cords potted in at least one potting head. Optionally, some or all of the cords have a gas transfer membrane. The module may provide inert supports, active gas transfer supports or a combination of both types of support. Multiple modules may be assembled together into a cassette, the cassette providing inert supports, active supports or a combination. The module or cassette may have an aerator for mixing or biofilm control.

Provided is a water treatment module including a bundle of hollow fiber membranes that includes a treatment portion extending between bottom and top ends and at least one gas diffuser. The membranes may be gas permeable and water impermeable. At least one end of the hollow fiber membranes is linked to a source of biofilm growth-supporting gas (BGSG) and configured to permit inlet of said BGSG into the hollow fiber membranes. Also provided herein are devices, systems and methods making use of the module.

A system includes an engine and an exhaust conduit in communication with the engine. A water separation device has exhaust gas passageways in communication with the exhaust conduit. The water separation device has a substrate and a membrane on the substrate. The substrate has inner walls surrounding the exhaust gas passageways with at least one of the inner walls being common to at least two of the exhaust gas passageways. The membrane is between the exhaust gas passageways and the substrate and has capillary condensation pores extending from the exhaust gas passageways to the substrate.

A system includes an engine and an exhaust conduit in communication with the engine. A water separation device has exhaust gas passageways in communication with the exhaust conduit. The water separation device has a substrate and a membrane on the substrate. The substrate has inner walls surrounding the exhaust gas passageways with at least one of the inner walls being common to at least two of the exhaust gas passageways. The membrane is between the exhaust gas passageways and the substrate and has capillary condensation pores extending from the exhaust gas passageways to the substrate.

Provided are a spiral-wound gas separation membrane element, a manufacturing method therefor, a gas separation membrane module and a gas separation apparatus that include the element. The element includes a laminated body wound around a perforated central tube and including a separation membrane-flow channel member composite body. The composite body includes a gas separation membrane including a first porous layer and a hydrophilic resin composition layer. The gas separation membrane is folded with the first porous layer being located outside the hydrophilic resin composition layer. The composite body also includes a flow channel member that forms a gas flow channel, the flow channel member being sandwiched in the folded gas separation membrane. The flow channel member is provided with a first cover that covers one end portion of four end portions. The first cover is located closest to a turn-back part of the folded gas separation membrane.

One or more polymeric hollow fiber membranes are pyrolyzed to form one or more hollow fiber CMS membranes by directing a flow of pyrolysis gas through a polymeric membrane cartridge (including a porous center tube around which one or more green, polymeric, hollow fiber membranes is arranged) or a bundle of polymeric membranes (including a plurality of green, polymeric hollow fiber membranes oriented so that their ends are disposed with ends of the bundle) in a direction perpendicular to a length direction of the cartridge or bundle in order to sweep away off-gases that are formed during pyrolysis.