Abstract:
A system for selective removal of metabolites from an aqueous broth including a bioreactor vessel containing at least one live culture producing at least one metabolite disposed within an aqueous broth, and a membrane module having a mixed matrix membrane suitable for selective removal of the at least one metabolite from the aqueous broth. The membrane is made of mixtures of hydrophobic zeolite and carbon on a porous substrate. In accordance with one particularly preferred embodiment of this invention, the membrane module is integral with the bioreactor vessel.
Abstract:
A water purification system having a porous anode electrode (20) and a porous cathode electrode (21), each of which is made of graphite, at least one metal oxide, and an ion-exchange, cross-linked, polarizable polymer. Disposed between the electrodes is an electrically non-conductive, fluid permeable separator element (22), whereby wastewater is able to flow from one electrode to the other electrode. The electrodes and separator may be disposed within a housing (23) having a wastewater inlet opening (24), and exhaust waste outlet opening (26) and a purified water outlet opening (25). In this way, components of the system are easily replaced should the need arise.
Abstract:
A proton exchange membrane which includes a sulfonated and phosphonated poly (styrene) material having a covalently bonded tertiary hydrogen replacement group.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for storing molecular hydrogen in which a storage material suitable for storage of molecular hydrogen is electrostatically charged with a first electrostatic charge in the range of about 1V to about 100V, forming an electrostatically charged material and the electrostatically charged material is then contacted with molecular hydrogen, resulting in adsorption of the molecular hydrogen by the electrostatically charged material. The molecular hydrogen is released from the storage material by applying to the electrostatically charged material a second electrostatic charge having a polarity opposite to the first electrostatic charge.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for generating electricity by direct oxidation of methanol in which methanol is passed through a porous anode current collector to contact the anode electrode of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, an oxidant is passed at atmospheric pressure through a porous cathode current collector which acts as an air diffuser to contact the cathode electrode and the methanol is directly oxidized, producing water which is removed through the cathode current collector, carbon dioxide and electricity.
Abstract:
A method and system for cooling an internal space are provided. A laminate of a hydrophobic membrane and a hydrophilic membrane includes a superabsorbent polymer disposed on or encompassing the hydrophilic membrane. The superabsorbent polymer increases the wicking capacity of the hydrophilic membrane so that water from a source is distributed more rapidly across the hydrophilic membrane. The distributed water is evaporated from the hydrophilic membrane, causing evaporative cooling of the laminate and surrounding air stream(s). The cooled air stream(s) are used to cool the internal space.
Abstract:
Carbon monoxide and oxygen gas can be produced from carbon dioxide by introducing a supply of CO2-containing gas to a CO2 permeable porous media. The CO2 permeates through the media to separate the CO2 from other species in the CO2-containing gas supply. An oxygen-deficient ferrite material, disposed on a surface of the CO2 permeable porous media, contacts with the separated CO2 at decomposition reaction conditions to produce CO and O2. Corresponding devices for treating exhaust gases from a CO2 exhaust gas-producing apparatus are also provided.
Abstract:
An electrochemical device having a liquid electrolyte which includes a protic solvent, an anode electrode disposed in contact with the liquid electrolyte, and a cathode electrode disposed in contact with the liquid electrolyte. A membrane which interrupts the transport of ions between the electrodes at a predetermined temperature is disposed in the liquid electrolyte between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. In this way, electrochemical devices such as batteries, fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors, which may overheat during use and cause a fire or explosion, are precluded from overheating.
Abstract:
A method for producing a crystalline silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) membrane in which a porous support is contacted with SAPO seed crystals to form a SAPO seeded porous support. The SAPO seeded porous support is filled with an aqueous SAPO synthesis gel including a mixture of sources of aluminum, phosphorus, silicon, oxygen, water, and a templating agent, forming a gel-filled porous structure which is then heated to form a SAPO layer of SAPO crystals on a surface of and/or within pores of the porous support. The SAPO layer is calcined, thereby removing the templating agent and forming a supported porous SAPO membrane layer, which is then subjected to a pore size reduction post-synthesis treatment process, producing a reduced pore size supported porous SAPO membrane layer having an average pore size of less than about 0.38 nm.
Abstract:
A graphite plate for electrochemical devices produced from a mixture of solid thermosetting ether-based epoxy resin particles and graphite particles compression molded at room temperature and heated to a temperature greater than about 200° C.