Claims
- 1. A method for preparing an ion processing element useful in facilitating removal of at least one constituent from a fluid stream, the method comprising the acts of:
substantially dissolving a polymer in a solvent so as to produce a matrix solution; mixing at least one organic active component with said matrix solution so as to produce a composite medium solution; at least partially impregnating a substrate with said composite medium solution; diluting said solvent in said composite medium solution with which said substrate is impregnated; and drying said impregnated substrate.
- 2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the act of diluting said solvent comprises the act of placing said impregnated substrate in a water bath.
- 3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein dissolution of said polymer is performed at room temperature and standard pressure.
- 4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one organic active component is mixed with said matrix solution at room temperature and standard pressure.
- 5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said act of drying said impregnated substrate comprises the act of exposing said impregnated substrate to air.
- 6. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the act of reconstituting said solvent.
- 7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one organic active component is selected from the group consisting of: carbon and carbamoyl phosphine oxides.
- 8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein said at least one organic active component comprises octyl (phenyl) N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide.
- 9. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the act of mixing at least one inorganic active component with said matrix solution so as to produce said composite medium solution.
- 10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein said at least one inorganic active component is selected from the group consisting of: crystalline silicotitanate and ammonium molybdophosphate.
- 11. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein said at least one inorganic active component is selected from the group consisting of: ion exchangers, extractants, and complexants.
- 12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said substrate substantially comprises fibrous glass.
- 13. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of: aprotic organic solvents, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and aqueous solutions of organic salts.
- 14. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said act of substantially impregnating said substrate with said composite medium solution comprises the acts of:
applying a pressure differential across said substrate; and introducing said composite medium solution on a high pressure side of said substrate.
- 15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein said act of applying a pressure differential across said substrate comprises the act of subjecting one side of said substrate to a vacuum.
- 16. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said polymer is organic.
- 17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein said polymer substantially comprises polyacrylonitrile.
- 18. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one organic active component is selected from the group consisting of: ion exchangers, extractants, and complexants.
- 19. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said polymer is inorganic.
- 20. An ion processing element suitable for facilitating processing of a fluid stream, the ion processing element comprising:
a substrate; and a composite medium at least partially impregnating said substrate, said composite medium comprising:
a matrix substantially comprising a polymer; and at least one organic active component supported by said matrix.
- 21. The ion processing element as recited in claim 20, wherein said at least one organic active component is selected from the group consisting of: ion exchangers, extractants, and complexants.
- 22. The ion processing element as recited in claim 20, wherein said substrate substantially comprises fibrous glass.
- 23. The ion processing element as recited in claim 20, wherein said polymer is organic.
- 24. The ion processing element as recited in claim 20, wherein said polymer substantially comprises polyacrylonitrile.
- 25. The ion processing element as recited in claim 20, wherein said at least one organic active component is selected from the group consisting of carbon and carbamoyl phosphine oxides.
- 26. The ion processing element as recited in claim 25, wherein said at least one organic active component comprises octyl (phenyl) N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide.
- 27. The ion processing element as recited in claim 20, further comprising at least one inorganic active component.
- 28. The ion processing element as recited in claim 27, wherein said at least one inorganic active component is selected from the group consisting of: crystalline silicotitanate and ammonium molybdophosphate.
- 29. The ion processing element as recited in claim 27, wherein said at least one inorganic active component is selected from the group consisting of: ion exchangers, extractants, and complexants.
- 30. The ion processing element as recited in claim 20, wherein said polymer is inorganic.
- 31. An ion processing element useful in facilitating removal of at least one constituent from a fluid stream in contact with the ion processing element, the ion processing element comprising:
a porous substrate substantially comprising fibrous glass; and a composite medium substantially impregnating said porous substrate, said composite medium comprising:
a porous matrix substantially comprising polyacrylonitrile; and at least one organic active component supported by said porous matrix, said at least one organic active component being selected from the group consisting of:
ion exchangers, extractants, and complexants.
- 32. The ion processing element as recited in claim 31, further comprising at least one inorganic active component selected from the group consisting of: ion exchangers, extractants, and complexants.
- 33. An ion processing assembly for facilitating removal of at least one constituent from a fluid stream passing through the ion processing assembly, the ion processing assembly comprising:
a housing defining a chamber; at least one ion processing element disposed in said chamber and arranged for contact with the fluid stream as the fluid stream passes through said chamber, said at least one ion processing element comprising:
a porous substrate; and a composite medium at least partially impregnating said porous substrate, said composite medium comprising at least one organic active component supported by a matrix material, wherein said at least one organic active component is selected from the group consisting of: ion exchangers, extractants, and complexants; and means for removably retaining said housing, said means for removably retaining said housing facilitating selective removal and installation of said at least one ion processing element from and in, respectively, said housing.
- 34. The ion processing assembly as recited in claim 33, wherein said at least one organic active component is selected from the group consisting of: carbon and carbamoyl phosphine oxides.
- 35. The ion processing assembly as recited in claim 34, wherein said at least one organic active component comprises octyl (phenyl) N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide.
- 36. The ion processing assembly as recited in claim 33, further comprising at least one inorganic active component.
- 37. The ion processing assembly as recited in claim 33, wherein said at least one inorganic active component is selected from the group consisting of: ion exchangers, extractants, and complexants.
- 38. The ion processing assembly as recited in claim 33, wherein said at least one inorganic active component is selected from the group consisting of: crystalline silicotitanate and ammonium molybdophosphate.
- 39. The ion processing assembly as recited in claim 33, wherein said matrix material substantially comprises a polymer.
- 40. The ion processing assembly as recited in claim 33, wherein said matrix material substantially comprises polyacrylonitrile.
- 41. The ion processing assembly as recited in claim 33, wherein said porous substrate substantially comprises fibrous glass.
- 42. The ion processing assembly as recited in claim 33, wherein said at least one organic active component is selected from the group consisting of: ion exchangers, extractants, and complexants.
- 43. The ion processing assembly as recited in claim 33, wherein said matrix material is organic.
- 44. An ion processing system suitable for facilitating removal of at least one constituent from a fluid stream passing through the ion processing system, the ion processing system comprising:
a housing defining a chamber; at least one ion processing element disposed in said chamber and arranged for contact with the fluid stream as the fluid stream passes through said chamber, said at least one ion processing element comprising:
a porous substrate substantially comprised of fibrous glass; and a composite medium at least partially impregnating said porous substrate, said composite medium comprising at least one organic active component supported by a matrix material, said at least one organic active component being selected from the group consisting of: crystalline silicotitanate, carbon, carbamoyl phosphine oxides, and ammonium molybdophosphate; and ion processing system inlet and outlet piping in fluid communication with said chamber.
- 45. The ion processing system as recited in claim 44, wherein said at least one organic active component comprises octyl (phenyl) N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide.
- 46. The ion processing system as recited in claim 44, wherein said matrix material substantially comprises a polymer.
- 47. The ion processing system as recited in claim 44, wherein said polymer substantially comprises polyacrylonitrile.
- 48. The ion processing assembly as recited in claim 44, further comprising at least one inorganic active component is selected from the group consisting of: ion exchangers, extractants, and complexants.
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/241,736 filed Oct. 19, 2000 and is incorporated by reference.
CONTRACTUAL ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention was made with United States Government support under Contract No. DE-AC07-99ID13727 awarded by the United States Department of Energy. The United States Government has certain rights in the invention.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60241736 |
Oct 2000 |
US |