Patent ID: 6248153
Filing Date: 2001-06-19
Classification: B01D,F24F,Y02C

Abstract:
A diffusional gas transfer system that comprises:a membrane disposed between a first gas domain and a second gas domain, the first gas domain comprising a first mechanism that is capable of directing a first environmental gas flow transversely over and in contact with a first surface of the membrane, the second gas domain comprising a second mechanism that is capable of directing a second environmental gas flow transversely over and in contact with a second surface of the membrane, wherein at least one of the first or second gas flows contains suspended particles;the membrane comprising a multiplicity of tortuous pathways extending from the first surface of the membrane to the second surface of the membrane, the tortuous pathways defining a maximum pore size and defining a void volume fraction that is at least 0.2, the membrane being capable of blocking the transfer of substantially all particles smaller than the maximum pore size between the first and second gas domains while permitting the diffusion of gases between the first and second gas domains, and the first gas domain maintained at a pressure higher than the second gas domain.