Patent ID: 7364647
Filing Date: 2008-04-29
Classification: B01D,B01F,B01L,F04B,F16K,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A flow device comprising: (a) a first porous membrane which forms a first flow path having a first liquid inlet and a first liquid outlet, (b) a second porous membrane which is in electrical communication with the first porous membrane and which forms a second flow path having a second liquid inlet and a second liquid outlet, the first and second porous membranes having different zeta potentials; (c) a non-permeable barrier comprising two layers of bonding material, wherein the two layers of bonding material (i) surround the first and second porous membranes, and (ii) are formed into a laminate by heating and compressing the layers of bonding material around the first and second porous membranes, so that the barrier conforms to the exterior of the first and the second porous membranes without blocking the first flow path or the second flow path; (d) a first capillary having an inlet end and an outlet end, the outlet end lying within the laminate and being in liquid communication with the first liquid inlet and the second liquid inlet, the inlet end of the first capillary having a pressure P (e) a second capillary having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end lying within the laminate and being in liquid communication with the outlet end of the first capillary, the outlet end of the second capillary having a pressure P (f) means for applying an electrical potential across the first and the second porous membranes; wherein when a liquid flows out from the outlet end of the first capillary, a first portion of the liquid flows in to the first liquid inlet, a second portion of the liquid flows in to the second liquid inlet, and a third portion of the liquid flows in to the inlet end of the second capillary.