Exxon Research and Engineering Company

William J Asher

Thomas A Davis

Tina C Vogler

Norman N Li

Hsue C Tsien

Adam L Shrier

Agustin F Venero

Alan Beerbower

Leonard Berkowitz

Jerome Geyer

A cyclic adsorption process is provided in which two zones are employed--an adsorption zone and a heat storage zone. A fluid stream containing a solute to be removed therefrom is passed through the adsorption zone and the effluent is then passed through heat storage zone. The conditions under which the stream is passed through the adsorption zone are selected so that the rate of progression of the heat transfer front and mass transfer front are substantially equal. This results in an optimum temperature of the effluent stream for efficient heat recovery in the heat storage zone. During regeneration of the adsorbent, a fluid regenerating stream is passed through the heat storage zone where it is partially heated. At a point between the adsorption zone and the heat storage zone the regenerating fluid stream is further heated, via an additional heat source, and passed through the adsorbent zone. The amount of additional heat is sufficient to effectively desorb the adsorbent. Alternatively, of course, a pressure reduction and a combination of heat addition and pressure reduction may be employed to desorb the adsorbent.

Cyclic adsorption process

Artificial red cells have been prepared which comprise microdroplets of stroma-free, aqueous hemoglobin solution encapsulated in polymerized hemoglobin membranes which ae permeable to oxygen and impermeable to hemoglobin. These artificial red cells can be made having diameters generally less than four microns are able to maintain their individual integrity under conditions of flow with shear rates of up to about 2.times.10.sup.5 sec.sup.-1.

Artificial red cells

A process for preparing artificial red cells comprising microdroplets of aqueous, stroma-free hemoglobin solution encapsulated in membranes of polymerized hemoglobin, said process comprising forming microdroplets of hemoglobin solution in a continuous oil phase, cross-linking the hemoglobin at the surface of the microdroplets with a suitable cross-linking agent to form the artificial red cells and recovering the cells. In one embodiment, a liquid membrane encapsulation technique employing a water-soluble cross-linking agent is used to form the cells. In another embodiment an oil-soluble cross-linking agent is present in the oil phase containing the hemoglobin microdroplets.

Process for preparing artificial red cells

The instant invention relates to liquid membrane capsule system (LMCS) which are made resistant to coalescence by means of an irreversible coating material present in the suspension phase. LMCS having this irreversible coating material are stable (i.e. resist coalescence) over relatively long periods of time with little or no applied agitation. These irreversibly coated LMCS can be pumped for long periods, are resistant to bile, pancreatin and solid matter and maintain their initial size distribution. The instant invention relates to methods of preparing the irreversibly coated LMCS. The LMCS of the instant invention exhibit resistance to rupture during pumping and passage over packing materials, such as glass beads or charcoal, thus making them of use in medical treatment processes such as renal dialysis and in the equipment used for such processes.

Liquid membrane capsule systems resistant to coalescence by means of an

An apparatus is disclosed for generating a multiple phase dispersion and distributing said multiple phase dispersion as globules in a suspension phase. The apparatus comprises a conduit for introducing a first fluid under pressure into a first zone including a porous fluid dispersing layer. This first zone is in fluid communication with a second zone through the porous fluid dispersing layer. The second zone has introduced into it a second fluid under pressure through inlets. The first fluid is dispersed as bubble-like micro droplets in the second fluid by passage from the first zone through the fluid dispersing layer into the fluid in the second zone. An outlet zone is in contact with the second zone and comprises a perforated nonporous layer having an outer and inner surface and includes a porous flow distribution layer substantially in contact with the inner second zone facing surface of the nonporous layer. The multiple phase dispersion formed in the second zone enters the outlet zone through the porous flow distribution layer and exits the outlet zone as globules of predetermined size through the perforations where the outer surface of said perforated nonporous layer forms an interface with a suspension phase which is immiscible with the second fluid. The instant invention further relates to a process for generating multiple phase dispersions as globules in a suspension phase.

Liquid membrane generator

Substantial dewatering of a secondary sewage sludge stream is obtained by admixing same with various hydrocarbon oils, the initial sludge/oil weight ratio being maintained in an amount less than 0.6, at shear rates of at least 130 seconds.sup.-1, and allowing the mixture thus formed to settle at temperatures of at least 72.degree. F. Substantially complete disposal of the solids thus removed from the secondary sludge stream can be achieved by subjecting same to evaporation and incineration processes.

Sewage sludge dewatering

The present invention relates to liquid membrane capsules which rupture when contacted with biliary or pancreatic secretions in the intestine thereby releasing their contents in the intestine so the contents become fully available for the treatment of disease at that location in the animal or patient. Particularly, the rupturable liquid membrane capsules containing urease are used for the treatment of chronic uremia. The liquid membrane capsules comprise an internal aqueous phase which contains an oil insoluble medicinal of choice, some complexing agent, dietary supplement or enzyme particularly suited for the intended treatment. This internal aqueous and oil insoluble phase is encapsulated in a nonaqueous external phase comprising a biologically inert oil component, and a material which will complex with the biliary and/or pancreatic secretions in the intestine thereby causing the rupture of the external phase resulting in the release of the internal phase in the intestine. Thus, the internal phase is isolated during passage through the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. On the absence of this isolation the material might be an irritant or be degraded in some of these areas. The invention is further related to a method of in vivo detoxification comprising the use of liquid membrane capsules containing detoxification materials such as medicinals and/or enzymes as an aqueous internal phase encapsulated in a continuous external phase comprising an oil which external phase further contains an additive which complexes with the biliary and/or pancreatic secretions in the intestine causing the rupture of the external phase, the detoxification process proceeding by the rupture of the external phase resulting in the release of the internal phase in the intestine. The internal phase in this case is such that it will bring about a conversion of certain toxins in the intestine to forms that can readily be trapped by conventional toxin trapping LMC as described by prior art.

Detoxification by means of the controlled, in vivo secretion triggered

This invention relates to the use of liquid membrane technology in preparing medicinals. The medicinals prepared by this invention may be ingested and may be utilized as traps for toxins present in the GI (gastrointestinal) tract, or as slow-release compositions of drugs, or as reactors. In the trap embodiment, the liquid membrane encapsulated medicinal is an emulsion comprising an exterior phase which is immiscible with the liquids present in the GI tract and permeable to the toxins therein, and an interior phase which is immiscible with the exterior phase and comprises a reagent capable of converting said toxin into a nonpermeable form. In addition, hydrophilic adsorbents, such as a hydrophilic carbon or a silica gel, may be encapsulated in the emulsions of the instant invention. When the compositions of the instant invention are utilized as slow-release drugs, the interior phase of the emulsion will comprise a drug which is slightly soluble in the exterior phase of the emulsion whereby said drug permeates through said exterior phase of the emulsion over a period of time into the GI tract. The third method for utilizing the compositions of the instant invention comprises encapsulating a catalyst for a reaction which is desired to be carried out in the GI tract. In this embodiment the reactants present in the GI tract permeate through the exterior phase of the emulsion into an interior phase wherein said catalyst, for example, an enzyme, converts the permeated reactants to reaction products. The reaction products then may permeate through the exterior phase back into the GI tract. In all cases, the liquid membrane encapsulated medicinals may be administered by either oral ingestion or injection anywhere else into the GI tract.

Detoxifying-medicinal emulsions

The instant invention relates to an improved process for oxygenating blood comprising: contacting said blood with oxygen-containing bubbles, said bubbles being coated with a liquid membrane, said liquid membrane phase permitting the permeation of oxygen into the blood whereby at least a portion of said oxygen passes through said membrane and into said blood; removing said liquid membrane coated bubbles as a three phase foam comprising gas bubbles coated with said liquid membrane suspended in blood; and coalescing said foam comprising gas bubbbles to form three separate bulk phases comprising the liquid membrane phase, a gaseous phase and a blood phase, wherein the improvement comprises a liquid membrane phase comprising a biologically non-retainable liquid halocarbon compound. These liquid membrane formulations having a membrane phase comprising a biologically non-retainable liquid halocarbon compound exhibit improved coalescing characteristics.

Process for oxygenating blood by the utilization of liquid membranes

A novel method and apparatus is provided for controlling heat and mass inventory in a fuel cell. Heat and mass, e.g. water, generated in the cell are removed by heat transfer and capillary action.

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Fanwood, NJ, United States of America

William J Asher