Patent ID: 8182694
Filing Date: 2012-05-22
Classification: B01D,B01J,B01L

Abstract:
1. A membrane stack, comprising: first and second membrane layers; and a spacer layer disposed between said first and second membrane layers; wherein said membrane stack is configured such that fluid passes through said membrane stack in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of said membrane layers and said spacer layer; at least one of said membrane layers comprises a macroporous gel-filled membrane layer; the macroporous gel-filled membrane layer comprises a support member; the support member comprises a plurality of pores; said pores are substantially completely occupied by a macroporous gel; said pores are of average size between about 0.1 μm and about 25 μm; the macroporous gel has macropores of average size between about 10 and about 3000 nm; and the macropores of the macroporous gel are smaller than the pores of the support member.