Methods of filtering a liquid feed are disclosed. In one version, the method comprises passing a liquid feed through a single pass tangential flow filtration (SPTFF) system and recovering the retentate and permeate from the system in separate containers without recirculation through the SPTFF system. In another version, the method of filtering a liquid feed, comprises passing a liquid feed through a tangential flow filtration (TFF) system, recovering permeate and a portion of the retentate from the system in separate containers without recirculation through the TFF system, and recirculating the remainder of the retentate through the TFF system at least once. The methods can be performed using an SPTFF or a TFF system that comprises manifold segments to serialize the flow path of the feed and retentate without requiring diverter plates.

Methods of filtering a liquid feed are disclosed. In one version, the method comprises passing a liquid feed through a single pass tangential flow filtration (SPTFF) system and recovering the retentate and permeate from the system in separate containers without recirculation through the SPTFF system. In another version, the method of filtering a liquid feed, comprises passing a liquid feed through a tangential flow filtration (TFF) system, recovering permeate and a portion of the retentate from the system in separate containers without recirculation through the TFF system, and recirculating the remainder of the retentate through the TFF system at least once. The methods can be performed using an SPTFF or a TFF system that comprises manifold segments to serialize the flow path of the feed and retentate without requiring diverter plates.

Disclosed are: a fuel cell humidifier, which can be manufactured at improved productivity and can significantly reduce maintenance and repair costs; and a packing member for same. The fuel cell humidifier of the present invention comprises: a humidification module for humidifying, with the moisture in exhaust gas discharged from a fuel cell stack, the air supplied from the outside; and a cap coupled to one end of the humidification module, wherein the humidification module includes a middle case and at least one cartridge, which is arranged inside the middle case and includes a plurality of hollow-fiber membranes, and the fuel cell humidifier further includes the packing member coupled to one end of the humidification module in an airtight manner through a mechanical assembly so that fluid-communication can be performed between the cap and only the hollow-fiber membranes.

A hollow fiber membrane module includes: a tubular case; a hollow fiber membrane bundle; and a pair of sealing and fixing portions, in which an outside-membrane channel that passes by an outer wall of each of the hollow fiber membranes and an inside-membrane channel that passes through the hollow inside of each of the hollow fiber membranes are formed, moist air flows through the outside-membrane channel, and dry air flows through the inside-membrane channel, whereby moisture in the moist air is supplied to the dry air by a membrane separation effect of the hollow fiber membranes, wherein a plurality of spaces are disposed between the case inner wall and the hollow fiber membrane bundle, and a restriction portion that restricts the hollow fiber membrane from entering into the spaces is partially disposed between the hollow fiber membrane bundle and each of the spaces.

A hollow fiber membrane module includes: a tubular case; a hollow fiber membrane bundle; and a pair of sealing and fixing portions, in which an outside-membrane channel that passes by an outer wall of each of the hollow fiber membranes and an inside-membrane channel that passes through the hollow inside of each of the hollow fiber membranes are formed, moist air flows through the outside-membrane channel, and dry air flows through the inside-membrane channel, whereby moisture in the moist air is supplied to the dry air by a membrane separation effect of the hollow fiber membranes, wherein a plurality of spaces are disposed between the case inner wall and the hollow fiber membrane bundle, and a restriction portion that restricts the hollow fiber membrane from entering into the spaces is partially disposed between the hollow fiber membrane bundle and each of the spaces.

An air separation module includes a canister, a separator, and a perforated plate. The canister has a plenum portion connecting an inlet portion to an outlet portion, extends circumferentially about a canister axis, and has a plenum diameter that is larger than a canister diameter defined by the inlet and outlet portion of the canister. The separator is arranged within the canister and axially spans the plenum portion to separate air received at the inlet end portion into nitrogen-enriched and oxygen-enriched air flows. The perforated plate is seated within the plenum portion, fluidly couples the separator to an oxygen-enriched air outlet port defined by the plenum portion, and has a snap-fit major dimension smaller than the plenum diameter to radially support a portion of the separator axially spanning the plenum portion of the canister. Nitrogen generation systems and methods of making air separation modules are also described.

Provided is a method for washing a hollow fiber membrane module which comprises a hollow fiber membrane for filtering raw water containing a suspended component, said method comprising, in the following order, a first washing step for removing a suspended component that is accumulated on the hollow fiber membrane and a second washing step for carrying out an air scrubbing process in which gas is caused to pass through at least to the raw water side of the hollow fiber membrane, wherein, out of water that existed in the hollow fiber membrane module before washing, water in an amount corresponding to not less than 50 vol % of the capacity of the hollow fiber membrane module is removed in the first washing step.

Provided is a method for washing a hollow fiber membrane module which comprises a hollow fiber membrane for filtering raw water containing a suspended component, said method comprising, in the following order, a first washing step for removing a suspended component that is accumulated on the hollow fiber membrane and a second washing step for carrying out an air scrubbing process in which gas is caused to pass through at least to the raw water side of the hollow fiber membrane, wherein, out of water that existed in the hollow fiber membrane module before washing, water in an amount corresponding to not less than 50 vol % of the capacity of the hollow fiber membrane module is removed in the first washing step.

A method may include: introducing a fluid comprising a first immiscible phase and a second immiscible phase into a contacting vessel comprising multiple contact stages: flowing the fluid through a first fiber bundle disposed in the contacting vessel; separating at least a portion of the first immiscible phase from the second immiscible phase; and flowing the separated portion of the first immiscible phase through a second fiber bundle disposed in the contacting vessel.

A regenerable organic contaminant controller includes a carbon hollow fiber module that includes a passage between an inlet and an outlet, on an opposite end of the carbon hollow fiber module from the inlet, such that organic contaminants in contaminated air flowing through the passage are desorbed into pores of the carbon hollow fiber module. The regenerable organic contaminant controller also includes wires coupled to the inlet of the carbon hollow fiber module and to the outlet of the carbon hollow fiber module. The wires heat the carbon hollow fiber module based on a flow of electricity through the wires. The heat causes release of the organic contaminants from the pores of the carbon hollow fiber module.