The invention relates to a filter element (1) comprising a drainage element (2) which is arranged between two filter membranes (3). According to the invention, said drainage element (2) is made of a non-woven filtering material which is arranged in a laminated manner between the filter membranes (3) respectively by means of an adhesive non-woven material (4). The invention also relates to a method for producing a filter element (1), a drainage element (2) made from a non-woven filtering material being laminated between two filter membranes (3). An adhesive non-woven material (4) is arranged between the drainage element (2) and each filter membrane (3), then lamination takes place due to the thermal effect under pressure.

Centrifugal air separators, systems including the same, and methods of separating gas are disclosed. Centrifugal air separators include a separation section configured to separate an input air stream into a clean air stream emitted from an exit port of the separation section and a waste stream emitted from a waste port of the separation section. The separation section includes a coiled duct and is configured to transmit through a duct entrance port a duct input air stream that is at least a portion of the input air stream and to at least partially separate the duct input air stream according to a molecular weight of gaseous components of the duct input air stream into a duct clean air stream that is at least a portion of the clean air stream and a duct waste stream that is at least a portion of the waste stream.

A drainless reverse osmosis (RO) water purification system provides relatively pure water for on-demand dispensing, while recycling brine to a domestic hot water system. The drainless purification system includes a pre-filter catalyst cartridge for removing chlorine-based contaminants from a tap water supply upstream from an RO membrane. The catalyst is regularly refreshed by a high through-flow of water to a conventional cold water dispense faucet, thereby significantly prolonging the service life of the RO membrane. The RO membrane is incorporated into a multi-cartridge unit adapted for facilitated slide-out removal and replacement as needed. A control valve recycles brine from the RO membrane to the hot water system during pure water production, and recirculates tap water through the RO membrane when a pure water reservoir is substantially filled. The multi-cartridge unit may further include an air filtration system for providing a flow of filtered air.

A drainless reverse osmosis (RO) water purification system provides relatively pure water for on-demand dispensing, while recycling brine to a domestic hot water system. The drainless purification system includes a pre-filter catalyst cartridge for removing chlorine-based contaminants from a tap water supply upstream from an RO membrane. The catalyst is regularly refreshed by a high through-flow of water to a conventional cold water dispense faucet, thereby significantly prolonging the service life of the RO membrane. The RO membrane is incorporated into a multi-cartridge unit adapted for facilitated slide-out removal and replacement as needed. A control valve recycles brine from the RO membrane to the hot water system during pure water production, and recirculates tap water through the RO membrane when a pure water reservoir is substantially filled. The multi-cartridge unit may further include an air filtration system for providing a flow of filtered air.

A method of treating a switchable polarity material comprises introducing a first feed stream comprising a solvent and a non-polar form of the switchable polarity material to a first side of a gas diffusion membrane. A second feed stream comprising an acid gas is introduced to a second side of the gas diffusion membrane opposing the first side of the gas diffusion membrane. Molecules of the acid gas of the second feed stream are diffused across the gas diffusion membrane and into the first feed stream to form a product stream comprising a polar form of the switchable polarity material. A treatment system for a switchable polarity material, and a method of liquid treatment are also described.

A hardness reduction filter is provided. The hardness reduction filter may include a filter housing having a space formed therein, a filter provided in the space of the filter housing to filter out foreign materials from water flowing into the filter housing, and hardness reduction catalysts provided between the filter housing and the filter and configured to perform at least one of removing a hard water material contained in the water or preventing formation of a scale inducing material in the water flowing into the filter housing.

A separation membrane module a tubular housing, a monolith type membrane structure housed in the housing, and a first flow regulation portion housed in the housing. The housing has an inner circumferential surface and a first opening formed in the inner circumferential surface and configured to allow a sweep gas to flow therethrough. The membrane structure has an outer circumferential surface and a first slit formed in the outer circumferential surface and configured to allow the sweep gas to flow therethrough. The first flow regulation portion has a first flow regulation surface configured to regulate a flow of the sweep gas between the first opening and the first slit.

In order to produce a tubular filter membrane element for microfiltration purposes, a plastic section of a small membrane tube is sealed at one axial end thereof and is fitted with a plastic adapter piece at the opposite end. The adapter piece is injection-molded onto the section of the small membrane tube and is preferably welded thereto. The section of the small membrane tube is sealed at the one axial end thereof by bringing this end into contact with a hot stamp.

An electrochemical device suited to modifying a carbon dioxide concentration in an interior space includes a cathode chamber with an inlet which receives a feed gas containing carbon dioxide. A reduction catalyst layer in the cathode chamber reduces carbon dioxide in the gas to form an ionic carrier species. An anode chamber with an outlet outputs a gas comprising carbon dioxide. A solid electrolyte membrane spaces the anode chamber from the cathode chamber and transports the ionic carrier species between the cathode chamber and the anode chamber. The membrane includes an ionic liquid. An oxidation catalyst layer in the anode chamber oxidizes the ionic carrier species to form carbon dioxide. A voltage source provides a voltage difference across the membrane.

A method and system for the offshore production of fuel includes an offshore marine platform on which is mounted an ammonia production unit. The ammonia production unit may produce ammonia utilizing raw materials sourced adjacent the marine platform, including seawater and electricity from offshore wind turbines. The produced ammonia may be subsequently liquified and transported away from the marine platform, or conveyed to a remote location via a seabed pipeline. A portion of the hydrogen produced as part of the ammonia production process may be utilized to operate onboard combustion turbines that can in turn drive electric generators onboard the marine platform to produce electricity.