Patent ID: 8167976
Filing Date: 2012-05-01
Classification: B01D,B01J,C01B

Abstract:
1. A method of preparing or reconditioning a gas separation membrane system, wherein said method comprises: providing a porous support upon which is supported a membrane layer comprising a first gas-selective material said membrane layer having a membrane thickness in the range from 1 μm to 50 μm; removing a substantial portion of said first gas-selective material from said membrane layer by the use of an ultra-fine abrasive of abrading particles no larger than in the range of from 0.01 μm to 3 μm to thereby provide said membrane layer having a reduced membrane thickness; and depositing upon said membrane layer having said reduced membrane thickness an overlayer comprising a second gas-selective material and having an overlayer thickness so as to thereby provide a gas tight, gas separation membrane system having said membrane layer of said reduced membrane thickness and of said overlayer of said overlayer thickness wherein the sum of said overlayer thickness and said reduced membrane thickness is in the range of from 0.001 μm to 9.9 μm, wherein said membrane thickness prior to removing said substantial portion thereof is greater than 80 percent of the sum of said reduced membrane thickness and said overlayer thickness.