A device for separating a gas, such as air, into components, includes a plurality of modules, each module having one or more polymeric membranes capable of gas separation. A set of valves, pipes, and manifolds together arrange the modules in one of two possible configurations. In a first configuration, the modules are arranged in parallel. In a second configuration, the modules are divided into two groups which are arranged in series. The device can be switched from parallel to series, or from series to parallel, simply by changing the positions of a small number of valves, typically three valves. The device can therefore produce gas either of higher purity, or moderate purity, depending on the settings of the valves. The device also includes improved structures for connecting the modules to inlet and outlet manifolds, and also includes devices for temporarily isolating one or more modules from the system.

The CO.sub.2 separation system performs, when the internal combustion engine is operating and the vehicle is travelling, a first mode wherein exhaust gas generated by the internal combustion engine is introduced to a CO.sub.2 supply side of a first CO.sub.2 separation device via a first CO.sub.2 supply side introduction flow path, and air from outside the vehicle is introduced to a CO.sub.2 permeation side of the first CO.sub.2 separation device via a first CO.sub.2 permeation side introduction flow path using travelling wind, whereby CO.sub.2 in the exhaust gas selectively permeates from the CO.sub.2 supply side to the CO.sub.2 permeation side of the first CO.sub.2 separation device through a CO.sub.2 permeable membrane of the first CO.sub.2 separation device using a difference in CO.sub.2 partial pressure between the CO.sub.2 supply side and the CO.sub.2 permeation side of the first CO.sub.2 separation device as a driving force.

Facility for the treatment of a feed gas stream comprising at least methane and carbon dioxide, said facility comprising: an oil-lubricated or water-lubricated vane-type compressor making it possible to compress the feed gas stream, and a membrane separation unit capable of receiving the compressed gas stream and of separating the methane from the carbon dioxide.

A gas separation apparatus includes a separation membrane module including at least one gas separation membrane element in a housing, a casing for blocking external air, and a heat source unit for adjusting a temperature of a heat medium with which the casing is filled. The casing holds greater than or equal to two separation membrane modules.

A device for separating a gas, such as air, into components, includes a plurality of modules, each module having one or more polymeric membranes capable of gas separation. A set of valves, pipes, and manifolds together arrange the modules in one of two possible configurations. In a first configuration, the modules are arranged in parallel. In a second configuration, the modules are divided into two groups which are arranged in series. The device can be switched from parallel to series, or from series to parallel, simply by changing the positions of a small number of valves, typically three valves. The device can therefore produce gas either of higher purity, or moderate purity, depending on the settings of the valves.

An apparatus (1) for supplying a gas mixture to a patient, having a gas inlet line (30) with a gas inlet orifice (30a) that splits into a first gas line (31) and a second gas line (32); at least one permeation module (33) arranged on the second gas line (32), the said permeation module (33) having a feed port (33a) in fluidic communication with the second gas line (32), a retentate port (33b) and a permeate port (33c); a third gas line (34) in fluidic communication with the retentate port (33b) of the permeation module (33); a fourth gas line (35) in fluidic communication with the permeate port (33c) of the permeation module (33), and coupling fluidically to the said first gas line (31); and a source (360) of air in fluidic communication with the first gas line (31) and the fourth gas line (35).

Provided is a gas separation device configured to separate a non-hydrocarbon gas from a feed gas containing the non-hydrocarbon gas through use of a gas separation membrane, in which a decrease in operating rate can be suppressed, and economic efficiency is satisfactory. A first membrane module (1) and a second membrane module (2) are arranged in parallel to each other with respect to supply lines for a feed gas. Gas lines for regeneration (14, 15) ((24, 25)), which are branched from a permeate gas line (13) ((23)) of the membrane module (1) ((2)), and which are joined to a feed gas line (21) ((11)) configured to supply the feed gas to the membrane module (2) ((1)), are provided. Under a state in which the feed gas is supplied to the membrane module (1), a permeate gas through the membrane module (1) is supplied, as a gas for regeneration, to the membrane module (2) through the gas lines for regeneration (14, 15). In this case, the membrane module (2) is brought into a non-operation state, and the membrane module (2) is regenerated.

An apparatus, systems comprising the apparatus, and methods of using and making the apparatus are disclosed, with the apparatus comprising an inlet, at least one oxygen membrane separator in communication with the inlet and in communication with an ambient airflow, with the ambient airflow comprising an ambient oxygen concentration, at least one piezoelectric pump in communication with the at least one oxygen membrane separator, and an outlet for emitting an enhanced oxygen concentration airflow.

An apparatus and process for separating a gas mixture is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first membrane stage, a second membrane stage, and a third membrane stage. The first membrane stage includes a first gas separation membrane configured to separate the gas mixture into a first retentate stream and a first permeate stream. The second membrane stage includes a second gas separation membrane configured to separate the first permeate stream into a second retentate stream and a second permeate stream. The second retentate stream of the second membrane stage is recycled back to connect with the first retentate stream to form a mixed fluid stream. The third membrane stage includes a third gas separation membrane configured to separate the mixed fluid stream into a third retentate stream and a third permeate stream, and the third retentate stream is configured to be withdrawn as a product or discarded.

A dehumidification mechanism for an appliance includes a blower that delivers humid process air along an airflow path. A drum is positioned along the airflow path. A condensing apparatus dehumidifies the humid air to define dehumidified air. A membrane has a plurality of nanopores that define a portion of the airflow path within the condensing apparatus. The humid air is delivered along the membrane having the plurality of nanopores and the nanopores operate through capillary condensation to dehumidify the humid air and separate condensate away from the humid air to define the dehumidified air. The condensate removed by the nanopore membrane is delivered away from the airflow path and to a condensate collection area within the appliance.