Patent attributes
A process and apparatus for dehumidifying a gas stream is provided. The apparatus includes a single semi-permeable osmotic membrane, at least one gas stream compartment formed in part by the osmotic membrane, and at least one osmotic fluid compartment formed in part by the osmotic membrane. The semi-permeable osmotic membrane has randomly arranged pores disposed across a thickness extending between a first side and a second side, and wherein some of the pores are small enough to permit capillary condensation within the membrane, leading to condensate travel across the thickness of the single membrane without requiring a separate capillary condenser, and which single membrane restricts transport of the osmotic fluid across the thickness of the membrane. The first side of the osmotic membrane is exposed to the gas stream compartment, and the second side of the osmotic membrane is exposed to the osmotic fluid compartment.
