Abstract:
The present invention relates to polymer compositions comprising a (co)polymer comprising (a) an arylene oxide moiety and (b) a dendritic (co)polymer, a hyperbranched (co)polymer or a mixture thereof, and the use of these polymer compositions as membrane materials for the separation of gases. The present invention further relates to the use of a dendritic (co)polymer, a hyperbranched (co)polymer or a mixture thereof as permeability and/or selectivity enhancing additives in gas separation membranes. The dendritic (co)polymer is preferably a Boltorn polymer.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a hollow fibre membrane having a supporting layer and a separating layer, said process comprising: (a)extruding a spinning composition comprising a first polymer and a solvent for the first polymer through an inner annular orifice of a hollow-fibre die; (b)co-extruding a composition comprising an organic nucleophilic reagent and a mixtures of a solvent and a non-solvent for the first polymer, wherein the composition is either extruded through a central annular orifice of the hollow-fibre die or through an outer annular orifice of a hollow-fibre die; and (c)passing the hollow-fibre through a coagulation bath. The hollow fibre membrane according to the present invention can be used in gas separation processes, vapour separation processes and liquid filtration processes.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a hollow fibre membrane having a supporting layer and a separating layer, said process comprising: (a)extruding a spinning composition comprising a first polymer and a solvent for the first polymer through an inner annular orifice of a hollow-fibre die; (b)co-extruding a composition comprising an organic nucleophilic reagent and a mixtures of a solvent and a non-solvent for the first polymer, wherein the composition is either extruded through a central annular orifice of the hollow-fibre die or through an outer annular orifice of a hollow-fibre die; and (c)passing the hollow-fibre through a coagulation bath. The hollow fibre membrane according to the present invention can be used in gas separation processes, vapour separation processes and liquid filtration processes.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a polymer composition comprising a blend of a multi-block thermoplastic elastomer comprising alternating hard polymeric blocks and soft polymeric blocks, and a polymer comprising a metal of Group 14 of the Periodic System of the Elements. The present invention also relates to a membrane comprising said blend and its application in separation processes, ion transport processes, ultrafiltration and nanofiltration.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a hollow or solid fibre having multiple porous layers concentrically arranged, and wherein at least one of the layers comprises functionalized or active particles that are well accessible and maintain their function after preparation. The layer containing high loads of particles can be either the outer or the inner layer. The main function of the other porous layer is to provide mechanical stability to the fibre. It can further act as a sieve and prevent unwanted compounds or species to come in contact with the functionalized particulate matter. Where it is the inner layer, the second layer can advantageously be a biocompatible material. With the second being the outer layer it is now possible to reach a particle content of 100 wt % in the inner layer. These fibres comprising high densities of functionalized particulate matter and of still sufficient mechanical strength can be used for (selective) adsorption, conversion, isolation or purification of compounds from a mixture of compounds, in particular from a fermentation broth, tissue broth, plant broth, cell broth or blood.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an electro-catalyst M' a Ir b M c , wherein M' is selected from the group consisting of Pt, Ta and Ru, and wherein the molar ratio a : b is within the range of 85 : 15 to 50 : 50 and the molar ratio a : c is within the range of 50 : 50 to 95 : 5, both calculated as pure metal and wherein M is selected from metals from Groups 3-15 of the Periodic System of Elements. The present invention further relates to an electrode comprising a support and the electro-catalyst. The present invention further relates to the use of the electro-catalyst and/or the electrode in electrochemical processes which comprise an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), an oxygen evolution reaction (OER), a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), a hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR), a carbon monoxide oxidation reaction (COR) or a methanol oxidation reaction (MOR).
Abstract:
Using phase separation technique perforated as well as non-perforated polymeric structures can be made with high aspect ratios (>5). By varying the phase separation process the properties (e.g. porous, non-porous, dense, open skin) of the moulded product can be tuned. Applications are described in the field of micro fluidics (e.g. micro arrays, electrophoretic boards), optics, polymeric solar cells, ball grid arrays, and tissue engineering.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for membrane cleaning and a device wherein this method can be applied. The method comprises the steps of : -operating a device for performing an electro-membrane process; and -applying inverse electrical pulses to the device. The device comprises a number of anode and cathode compartments provided with a number of electrodes, a number of cation exchange membranes and a number of anion exchange membranes, placed alternately between the compartments, and function generator means capable of providing inverse electrical pulses. Between or during the pulses, alternating or fluctuating current and /or voltage is applied.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a biological fuel cell. The biological fuel cell comprises a number of cathode compartments, provided with a cathode; a number of anode compartments, provided with a anode; and a partition wall separating the cathode- and anode compartments. The biological fuel cell is characterized in that the compartments are present as enclosed compartments and the enclosed compartments at least partially enclosing compartments. The invention furthermore concerns a method for the biological oxidation of a biologically oxidisable compound, wherein use is made of the biological fuel cell according to invention.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of filtering a fluid. The method according to the invention is characterised in that after filtering a contaminated fluid, which causes the formation of a filter cake, a substantially non- contaminated fluid is fed through the filter cake and filter at varying flux or at varying driving force. At the same time the necessary driving force or the obtained flux, respectively, are measured. The measured value and the respective value setting are compared with at least one standard set of data and on the basis of this comparison the fouling status of the fluid to be filtered, the filter and the filter cake is determined. The method according to the invention makes it possible to accurately determine characteristics of a fluid to be filtered. This may be realised by simply varying the flux and measuring the driving force at different flux values, or vice versa.