Patent ID: 6582496
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: B01D,B29C,B29L,C02F,G03F,Y02P

Abstract:
A fluid-fluid phase contactor substantially made from perfluorinated thermoplastic polymers for contacting a first fluid with a second fluid comprising;a) a bundle of a plurality of perfluorinated thermoplastic hollow fiber membranes having a first end and a second end, said membranes having an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface comprising a lumen, said membranes selected from the group consisting of hollow fiber membranes having a porous skinned inner surface, a porous outer surface, and a porous support structure between, hollow fiber membranes having a non-porous skinned inner surface, a porous outer surface, and a porous support structure between, and hollow fiber membranes having a porous skinned outer surface, a porous inner surface, and a porous support structure between, and hollow fiber membranes having a non-porous skinned outer surface, a porous inner surface, and a porous support, structure between, b) each end of said bundle potted with a liquid tight perfluorinated thermoplastic seal forming a unitary end structure with a surrounding perfluorinated thermoplastic housing wherein the fiber ends are open to fluid flow, c) said housing having an inner wall and an outer wall wherein the inner wall defines a fluid flow volume between the inner wall and the outer surfaces of the hollow fiber membranes, d) said housing having a first fluid inlet to supply a first fluid to said first end of the bundle to be contacted with a second fluid and a first fluid outlet connection to remove said contacted first fluid from said second end, e) said housing having a second fluid inlet connection to supply a second fluid to be contacted with said first fluid to said volume formed between the inner wall of the housing and the outer surfaces of the hollow fiber membranes, and a second outlet connection to remove said contacted second fluid.