To regenerate, by a simple method, an inorganic separation membrane separating non-hydrocarbon gas contained in treatment target gas. Provided in separating the non-hydrocarbon gas contained in the treatment target gas is a regeneration gas supply path supplying moisture-containing regeneration gas to a primary side of the inorganic separation membrane in a separation membrane module. As a result, it is possible to regenerate the inorganic separation membrane by supplying moisture-containing CO2 gas to the inorganic separation membrane and then supplying dry natural gas. Accordingly, there is no need to use dry regeneration gas and the CO2 gas supplied via, for example, a pipeline can be used as it is.

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.

To regenerate, by a simple method, an inorganic separation membrane separating non-hydrocarbon gas contained in treatment target gas. Provided in separating the non-hydrocarbon gas contained in the treatment target gas is a regeneration gas supply path supplying moisture-containing regeneration gas to a primary side of the inorganic separation membrane in a separation membrane module. As a result, it is possible to regenerate the inorganic separation membrane by supplying moisture-containing CO2 gas to the inorganic separation membrane and then supplying dry natural gas. Accordingly, there is no need to use dry regeneration gas and the CO2 gas supplied via, for example, a pipeline can be used as it is.

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.

The invention is an improved method of making a carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membrane in which a precursor polymer is pyrolyzed to form a carbon molecular sieve membrane that is then exposed to a conditioning atmosphere comprised of a target permeate gas molecule such as ethylene when the membrane is desired to separate it from a light hydrocarbon gas stream. The exposure to the ethylene desirably occurs prior to the CMS permeance and selectivity combination substantially changing (e.g., within 5 days) of cooling from the pyrolyzing temperature. The CMS membranes have shown an improved combination of selectivity and permeance as well as stability and are useful to separate gases in gas streams such methane from natural gas, oxygen from air and ethylene or propylene from light hydrocarbon streams.

The invention relates to a process for cleaning a polymer membrane comprising the steps of (A) filtering an aqueous liquid through the polymer membrane; (B) drying the polymer membrane; (C) washing the polymer membrane with water or a chemical washing solution; and (D) continuing the filtering of the aqueous liquid through the polymer membrane.

A membrane system including an anti-fouling layer and a method of applying an anti-fouling layer to a membrane surface are provided. In an embodiment, the surface is a microfiltration (MF) or an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane surface. The anti-fouling layer can include a stimuli responsive layer and a dynamic protective layer applied over the stimuli responsive layer that can be a coating on a surface of the membrane. The stimuli responsive polymer layer can act as an adhesive prior to coating with the dynamic protective layer to aid in adhering the dynamic protective layer to the membrane surface. The dynamic protective layer can be formed by suitable nanoparticles that can prevent adhesion of foulants directly to the membrane surface. The stimuli responsive layer can be responsive to physio-chemical stimuli to cause a release of the stimuli responsive layer and the dynamic protective layer including foulants from the membrane.

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.

A hydrophilic graphitic material is provided that may be formed by heating a graphitic material to a temperature between about 150 C. to about 1400 C. for an extended period of time under an inert atmosphere. Annealing CNT film at 500 to 1400 removes amorphous carbon to produce purified CNT film. The purified CNT film can be further densified with the treatment of alkylphosphonic acid or alkyldiphophonic acid and heating to produce a hydrophilic, densified CNT film which is mechanically robust and does not adhere to other solid surfaces. These films can be used as filtration membranes with superior membrane fouling resistance among other uses.

Methods of cleaning and sanitizing membrane modules within a membrane system are provided. A cleaning solution is circulated through the membrane system for about 2 to about 30 minutes. The cleaning solution includes organic acid and surfactant. A sanitizing solution is added to the cleaning solution to produce a boosted antimicrobial solution comprising an oxidizer. The boosted antimicrobial solution is then circulated through the membrane system for about 1 to about 20 minutes. The methods described are effective for reducing and removing bacterial spores and biofilms from membranes and improving membrane compatibility of effective cleaning and sanitizing solutions.