Abstract:
The element is disposed in a vessel receiving a fluid flow. The vessel wall is porous at least for a proportion of the fluid and bounds an inner chamber communicating through the vessel wall with a chamber outside the vessel. The element is in the shape of a plate or tube and is so devised that the porous wall either on its own or in combination with other similarly shaped elements to form a module, forms a turbulence generator particularly in the form of a static mixer for the fluid flow. The resulting turbulence on the wall of the elements ensures that the wall remains porous.
Abstract:
An agitated liquid reactor whose fluid is recirculated from an outlet through a porous wall structure. Recirculation is effected through a conduit having a flexible conduit portion which is periodically compressed toward the porous wall structure.
Abstract:
A PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYMER BY CONDENSATION PROCESS OF A LIQUID REACTION MIXTURE WHEREIN AT LEAST ONE VOLATILE BY-PRODUCT IS ELIMINATED, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT SAID CONDENSATION PROCESS IS CARRIED OUT IN APPARATUS OF SUCH FORM AND SO OPERATED THAT SAID REACTION MIXTURE BEING SUBJECTED TO THE CONDENSATION PROCESS HAS NO FREE SURFACE AND REMOVAL OF VOLATILE PRODUCT OR PRODUCTS FROM SAID REACTION MIXTURE IS EFFECTED BY DIFFUSION THROUGH AT LEAST A PROPORTION OF THE WALL OF SAID APPARATUS WHICH IS PERMEABLE TO SAID VOLATILE PRODUCT OR PRODUCTS BUT NOT PERMEABLE TO SAID REACTION MIXTURE OR SAID POLYMER, SAID PROPORTION OF THE WALL WHICH IS PERMEABLE SERVING TO SEPARATE SAID REACTION MIXTURE FROM A CHEMICALLY INERT GASEOUS FLUID IN WHICH THE PARTIAL PRESSURE OF THE VOLATILE BY-PRODUCT, OR OF THE VOLATILE BY-PRODUCTS, IS CONTINUALLY MAINTAINED BELOW THE EQUILIBRIUM PARTIAL PRESSURE FOR THE REACTION MIXTURE UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF REACTION.
Abstract:
Fuel supplies for fuel cells are disclosed. The fuel supplies can be a pressurized or non-pressurized cartridge that can be used with any fuel cells, including but not limited to, direct methanol fuel cell or reformer fuel cell. In one aspect, a fuel supply may contain a reaction chamber to convert fuel to hydrogen. The fuel supplies may also contain a pump. The fuel supply may have a valve connecting the fuel to the fuel cell, and a vent to vent gas from the fuel supply. Methods for forming various fuel supplies are also disclosed.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a device for the metered dispensing of flowable substances in systems, said device being characterized by a container (1) with an internal space (3) which has a substantially constant volume and is connected to the surrounding medium by means of a semipermeable membrane (2). The container also contains a substance (4) which builds up an osmotic pressure in conjunction with the surrounding medium or system, and an outlet (5).
Abstract:
One of these devices comprises: a reaction chamber with cold plasma (10b), for producing the reforming of a primary mixture consisting of fuel gas (hydrocarbon or alcohol), as well as oxygen and/or water vapour, thus producing a secondary mixture containing in particular hydrogen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide; an intake piece (18) for mixing these constituents, co-operating with a burner (42) and an associated combustion chamber (40) to bring the resulting primary mixture to a high temperature, before it is introduced into the reaction chamber (10a); a ring-shaped chimney (48) enclosing this chamber for maintaining it at a relatively high temperature; a high frequency alternating high voltage source (58), modulated by brief periodical low frequency pulses and electrodes (62-66) for generating silent discharges, in the reaction chamber (10b) thus generating a cold plasma producing a high chemical reactivity to the gas mixture present; a membrane (12) with high selective permeability for extracting the nascent hydrogen, arranged between the chamber (10b) and a chamber for collecting the hydrogen (14); a thermal insulating sheath (50) enclosing the whole set. The invention is applicable to PEM type fuel cells, fitted on electric vehicles or on portable generator set.
Abstract:
An osmotic device that, following the imbibition water vapor, provides for the controlled release of a beneficial agent (37) a non-aqueous environment. The device comprises a hydrophilic formulation (2) and a beneficial agent, surrounded by a wall (5). The wall is formed at least in part of a semipermeable hydrophobic microporous membrane (1) having an average pores size between about 0.1 νm and 30 νm. The pores are substantially filled with a gas phase. The hydrophobic membrane is permeable to water in the vapor phase and the hydrophobic membrane is impermeable to an aqueous medium at a pressure less than about 100 Pa. The beneficial agent is released, for example, by osmotic pumping or osmotic bursting upon imbibition of sufficient water vapor into the hydrophilic formulation. The high water fluxes attendant with these vapor-permeable hydrophobic membranes facilitate the delivery of large quantities of beneficial agents without requiring large surface areas (quantities) of hydrophobic microporous membrane. In addition, use of vapor-permeable hydrophobic microporous membranes allow osmotic devices to be used in environments having limited water availability, such as air or soil.
Abstract:
Method and apparatus for creating gas-liquid contact for highly efficient mass transfer between gas and liquid comprises a gas-liquid contactor assembly (100) including a hollow porous tube (101) surrounded by an outer jacket (108) defining a gas plenum between the jacket and the porous tube; a liquid feed assembly (200) including a nozzle for injecting liquid into the porous tube in a spiraling flow pattern around and along the porous tube; a gas-liquid assembly (300) at the first end of the porous tube including a nonporous degassing tube (301) coaxially aligned and connected to the porous tube, a gas outlet port (302) coaxially aligned with the degassing tube to receive a first portion of gas flowing from the degassing tube; a liquid collection assembly (400); and a second gas discharge assembly (600) to collect and convey a second portion of gas from the porous tube.