The Dow Chemical Company

Lawrence R Schroeder

Terrence L Caskey

Charles W Martin

H Hunter Paalman

Robert DeVellis

Curtis M Tong

This invention relates to a hollow fiber membrane device which can accommodate large changes in fiber dimension due to fiber swelling or contraction during operation.

Membrane separation device

The invention is a method for separating one or more polar liquids from one or more non-polar liquids which comprises the following steps. First, contacting a mixture comprising one or more polar liquids and one or more non-polar liquids with one side of a membrane comprising a polymer of a perfluorosulfonic acid, or metal salt thereof, which is adapted for selective permeation of the polar liquids over the non-polar liquids under conditions such that the polar liquids selectively permeate through the membrane. Second, passing a desiccant fluid by, pulling a vacuum on, or a combination thereof, the other side of the membrane, under conditions such that the polar liquids which have permeated through the membrane are carried away from the membrane. Third, removing the fluid desiccant containing the permeated polar liquids or the permeated polar liquids wherein a vacuum is used, from the vicinity of the membrane. Fourth, removing the non-polar liquids from the vicinity of the membrane. Another aspect of this invention is a novel hollow fiber membrane device useful for performing a preferred mode of the above-described method. This method allows the removal of one or more polar liquids which are dissolved in or entrained in one or more non-polar liquids in a continuous manner which no shoft-term changeout required.

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Danville, CA, United States of America

Lawrence R Schroeder