Disclosed is a hollow fiber that contains an outer layer made of a first polymer and an inner layer made of a second polymer, the inner layer including at its outer surface a macrovoid-free thin interface sublayer in contact with the inner surface of the outer layer. The first polymer is immiscible with the second polymer. Also disclosed is a process of preparing the above-described hollow fiber.

Disclosed is a hollow fiber that contains an outer layer made of a first polymer and an inner layer made of a second polymer, the inner layer including at its outer surface a macrovoid-free thin interface sublayer in contact with the inner surface of the outer layer. The first polymer is immiscible with the second polymer. Also disclosed is a process of preparing the above-described hollow fiber.

An apparatus is disclosed for separating and preserving biomolecules of a biological fluid sample. The apparatus includes an assembly having sides forming a hollow shape having a first opening at one end and second opening at the opposite end, a sample mixing chamber positioned adjacent the first opening within the assembly, the sample mixing chamber from which a flow of the biological fluid sample is actuated in a direction from the sample mixing chamber to the first matrix layer, the sample mixing chamber being in a direction downstream of the first opening, a first valve positioned between the sample mixing chamber and the first matrix layer, the first valve configured to control the flow to the first matrix layer, a first input in fluid communication with the sample mixing chamber and positioned upstream of the first valve, a second input positioned between the first matrix layer and the second matrix layer, and a second valve positioned between the second matrix layer and the second opening, the second valve configured to control the flow to the second matrix layer.

An apparatus is disclosed for separating and preserving biomolecules of a biological fluid sample. The apparatus includes an assembly having sides forming a hollow shape having a first opening at one end and second opening at the opposite end, a sample mixing chamber positioned adjacent the first opening within the assembly, the sample mixing chamber from which a flow of the biological fluid sample is actuated in a direction from the sample mixing chamber to the first matrix layer, the sample mixing chamber being in a direction downstream of the first opening, a first valve positioned between the sample mixing chamber and the first matrix layer, the first valve configured to control the flow to the first matrix layer, a first input in fluid communication with the sample mixing chamber and positioned upstream of the first valve, a second input positioned between the first matrix layer and the second matrix layer, and a second valve positioned between the second matrix layer and the second opening, the second valve configured to control the flow to the second matrix layer.

The process can be used in any hydrocarbon process in which it is desirable to recover hydrogen. The process can include catalytically reforming a hydrocarbon feed, a paraffin dehydrogenation to produce light olefins or a synthesis gas generating process. There is an effluent stream having hydrogen and hydrocarbons that is first sent to an adsorption zone to produce a pure hydrogen stream and a tail gas stream. The tail gas stream is then sent across a feed side of a membrane having the feed side and a permeate side. The membrane that is selected is selective for hydrogen over one or more C1-C6 hydrocarbons and light ends including CO, CO2, N2 and O2, and withdrawing from the permeate side a permeate stream enriched in hydrogen compared with a residue stream withdrawn from the feed side. The permeate stream is then recycled to be sent through the adsorption zone.

The process can be used in any hydrocarbon process in which it is desirable to recover hydrogen. The process can include catalytically reforming a hydrocarbon feed, a paraffin dehydrogenation to produce light olefins or a synthesis gas generating process. There is an effluent stream having hydrogen and hydrocarbons that is first sent to an adsorption zone to produce a pure hydrogen stream and a tail gas stream. The tail gas stream is then sent across a feed side of a membrane having the feed side and a permeate side. The membrane that is selected is selective for hydrogen over one or more C1-C6 hydrocarbons and light ends including CO, CO2, N2 and O2, and withdrawing from the permeate side a permeate stream enriched in hydrogen compared with a residue stream withdrawn from the feed side. The permeate stream is then recycled to be sent through the adsorption zone.

A problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a separation membrane having excellent separation performance, having high membrane strength and high permeation performance, and mainly including a cellulose-based resin. The present invention is concerned with a separation membrane including a cellulose ester, having, in the interior thereof, voids each having a specified structure, and having a tensile elasticity of 1,000 to 6,500 MPa.

A problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a separation membrane having excellent separation performance, having high membrane strength and high permeation performance, and mainly including a cellulose-based resin. The present invention is concerned with a separation membrane including a cellulose ester, having, in the interior thereof, voids each having a specified structure, and having a tensile elasticity of 1,000 to 6,500 MPa.

A problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a separation membrane having excellent separation performance, having high membrane strength and high permeation performance, and mainly including a cellulose-based resin. The present invention is concerned with a separation membrane including a cellulose ester, having, in the interior thereof, voids each having a specified structure, and having a tensile elasticity of 1,000 to 6,500 MPa.

A problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a separation membrane having excellent separation performance, having high membrane strength and high permeation performance, and mainly including a cellulose-based resin. The present invention is concerned with a separation membrane including a cellulose ester, having, in the interior thereof, voids each having a specified structure, and having a tensile elasticity of 1,000 to 6,500 MPa.