Patent ID: 7887621
Filing Date: 2011-02-15
Classification: B01D,B01J,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A device with a channel for removing fluid inclusions formed in the device from a flowable medium in the device, wherein the channel runs bearing on an active surface or on a catalytic membrane or on a catalyser, the channel comprising a channel exit, wherein the channel defines an hydraulic diameter and a largest-inscribable hydraulic diameter at any one of a plurality of cross-sections defined perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the channel, the fluid inclusion being urged toward the channel exit by a capillary force, and the channel including at least one of the following: (a) the hydraulic diameter or the largest-inscribable hydraulic diameter monotonically increases toward the channel exit; or (b) a channel wall, the inclusion being located between the flowable medium and the channel wall and defining a contact angle θ between the channel wall and the inclusion, the contact angle θ lying completely in the flowable medium outside the inclusion, and the contact angle θ monotonically increasing as the inclusion moves along the channel toward the channel exit; or (c) a channel wall, the inclusion being located between the flowable medium and the channel wall and defining a contact angle θ between the channel wall and the inclusion, the contact angle lying completely in the flowable medium outside the inclusion, for which θ>π/2, and wherein the hydraulic diameter or the largest inscribable hydraulic diameter monotonically decreases along the channel towards the channel exit.