Patent ID: 8079574

Claim:
An apparatus for mass and heat transfer comprising: a container defining a general chamber; a porous membrane secured in the general chamber, wherein the membrane has a first surface having a first thickness wherein the first surface is at least partially hydrophilic and a second surface having a second thickness wherein the second surface is at least partially hydrophobic, wherein the membrane is positioned in the container to separate the general chamber into a first chamber configured to receive a hydrophilic fluid or gas and a second chamber configured to receive a hydrophobic fluid or gas, wherein the first chamber is defined by portions of the container in combination with the first surface and wherein the second chamber is defined by different portions of the container in combination with the second surface; a first entry port connected to, and in fluid communication with, the first chamber; a first exit port connected to, and in fluid communication with, the first chamber; a second entry port connected to, and in fluid communication with, the second chamber; a second entry port connected to, and in fluid communication with, the second chamber; and, the membrane having pore sizes from about 0.01 microns to about 50 microns.