An air-impermeable water vapor transport membrane comprises an active layer on a microporous polymeric substrate. The active layer comprises a polyethylene-oxide containing copolymer and a polar protic solvent in an amount of about 3% to about 100% of copolymer weight in the active layer. Molecules of the protic solvent are bonded to the copolymer. The polar protic solvent reduces temperature-dependent variability in the water- vapor permeability of the membrane.
Water vapor transport membranes for ERV and other water vapor transport applications are provided. The membranes include a substrate and an air impermeable selective layer coated on the substrate, the selective layer including a cellulose derivative and a sulfonated polyaryletherketone. In some embodiments the sulfonated polyaryletherketone is in a cation form and/or the selective layer includes s PEEK and CA in an s PEEK:CA (wt.:wt.) ratio in the range of about 7:3 to 2:3. Methods for making such membranes are provided. The methods include applying a coating solution/dispersion to a substrate and allowing the coating solution/dispersion to dry to form an air impermeable selective layer on the substrate, the coating solution/dispersion including a cellulose derivative and a sulfonated polyarylether ketone. In some embodiments the sulfonated polyaryletherketone is in a cation form and/or the coating solution/dispersion includes s PEEK and CA in an sPEEK:CA (wt.:wt.) ratio in the range of about 7:3 to 2:3.
B01D 53/22 - Separation of gases or vapoursRecovering vapours of volatile solvents from gasesChemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases or aerosols by diffusion
A heat and humidity exchanger has example application in exchanging heat and water vapour between fresh air entering a building and air being vented from the building. The heat and humidity exchanger has a self-supporting core formed from layered sheets (710, 720) of a moisture-permeable material. Plenums (750) are arranged to direct fluid streams into and out of the core. The plenums (750) may be on opposing sides of the core to permit counterflow exchange of heat and water vapour. The plenums (750) are attached to the core along opposite edges of the sheets (710, 720).
F28D 9/02 - Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the heat-exchange media travelling at an angle to one another
F24F 12/00 - Use of energy recovery systems in air conditioning, ventilation or screening
A water vapour transport membrane comprises a nanofibrous layer disposed on a macroporous support layer, the nanofibrous layer coated with a water permeable polymer. A method for making a water vapour transport membrane comprises forming a nanofibrous layer on a macroporous support layer and applying a water permeable polymer to the nanofibrous layer. The water permeable polymer can be applied for so that the nanofibrous layer is substantially or partially filled with the water permeable polymer, or so that the coating forms a substantially continuous layer on one surface of the nanofibrous layer. In some embodiments of the method, the nanofibrous layer is formed by electro-spinning at least one polymer on at least one side of the porous support layer. In some embodiments, the support layer is formable and the method further comprises forming a three-dimensional structure from the water vapour transport membrane, for example, by compression molding, pleating or corrugating.
B01D 61/00 - Processes of separation using semi-permeable membranes, e.g. dialysis, osmosis or ultrafiltrationApparatus, accessories or auxiliary operations specially adapted therefor
5.
COATED MEMBRANES FOR ENTHALPY EXCHANGE AND OTHER APPLICATIONS
Coated membranes comprise a porous desiccant-loaded polymer substrate that is coated on one surface with a thin layer of water permeable polymer. Such membranes are particularly suitable for use in enthalpy exchangers and other applications involving exchange of moisture and optionally heat between gas streams with little or no mixing of the gas streams through the membrane. Such membranes have favorable heat and humidity transfer properties, have suitable mechanical properties, are resistant to the crossover of gases when the membranes are either wet or dry, and are generally low cost.
F24F 12/00 - Use of energy recovery systems in air conditioning, ventilation or screening
F24F 3/147 - Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatmentApparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidificationAir-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatmentApparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by dehumidification with both heat and humidity transfer between supplied and exhausted air
F28F 13/04 - Arrangements for modifying heat transfer, e.g. increasing, decreasing by preventing the formation of continuous films of condensate on heat-exchange surfaces, e.g. by promoting droplet formation
F28F 13/18 - Arrangements for modifying heat transfer, e.g. increasing, decreasing by applying coatings, e.g. radiation-absorbing, radiation-reflectingArrangements for modifying heat transfer, e.g. increasing, decreasing by surface treatment, e.g. polishing
F28F 17/00 - Removing ice or water from heat-exchange apparatus
F28F 21/06 - Constructions of heat-exchange apparatus characterised by the selection of particular materials of plastics material
6.
CROSS-PLEATED MEMBRANE CARTRIDGES, AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CROSS-PLEATED MEMBRANE CARTRIDGES
A membrane cartridge is manufactured by repeatedly folding and joining two strips of membrane to form a cross-pleated cartridge with a stack of openings or fluid passageways configured in an alternating cross-flow arrangement. The cartridge can be modified for other flow configurations including co-flow and counter-flow arrangements. Methods for manufacturing such cross-pleated membrane cartridges, as well as apparatus used in the manufacturing process are described. Cross-pleated membrane cartridges comprising water- permeable membranes can be used in a variety of applications, including in heat and water vapor exchangers. In particular they can be incorporated into energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) for exchanging heat and water vapor between air streams being directed into and out of buildings.
F24F 3/147 - Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatmentApparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidificationAir-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatmentApparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by dehumidification with both heat and humidity transfer between supplied and exhausted air
B01D 46/52 - Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, using filters embodying folded material
B31D 5/04 - Multiple-step processes for making three-dimensional articles including folding or pleating, e.g. Chinese lanterns
F24F 12/00 - Use of energy recovery systems in air conditioning, ventilation or screening
F28F 21/00 - Constructions of heat-exchange apparatus characterised by the selection of particular materials
7.
PLEATED HEAT AND HUMIDITY EXCHANGER WITH FLOW FIELD ELEMENTS
A heat and humidity exchanger comprises a pleated membrane cartridge disposed in a housing. The cartridge comprises a pleated water-permeable membrane via which heat and humidity can be transferred between two fluid streams. A flow field element is disposed within some or all of the folds of the pleated membrane, for directing the stream over the inner surfaces of the folds. The flow field path defined by the flow field element enhances flow distribution across one or both membrane surfaces, controlling the relative flow paths of the two streams on opposite sides of the membrane and reducing the pressure drop across the heat and humidity exchanger. The flow field elements provide improved water transfer and allow for a more compact device. The flow field elements can also assist in supporting the pleated membrane and controlling the pleat spacing within the pleated membrane cartridge. The heat and humidity exchanger is particularly suitable for fuel cell and energy recovery ventilator (ERV) applications.
F28D 21/00 - Heat-exchange apparatus not covered by any of the groups
B01D 53/22 - Separation of gases or vapoursRecovering vapours of volatile solvents from gasesChemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases or aerosols by diffusion
F24F 3/147 - Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatmentApparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidificationAir-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatmentApparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by dehumidification with both heat and humidity transfer between supplied and exhausted air
F28D 9/00 - Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
F28F 3/08 - Elements constructed for building-up into stacks, e.g. capable of being taken apart for cleaning
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