Diffusiophoretic water filtration device, membrane, output splitter and inlet manifold and related methods tool

Abstract

A water filtration device comprising: a diffusiophoretic water filter having at least one channel having an inlet and an outlet and for receiving a colloidal suspension at the inlet and flowing the colloidal suspension between the inlet and the outlet in a flow direction, the channel being in contact with a diffusiophoretic-inducing membrane. Other devices and methods are also disclosed.

1  to  30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A water filtration device comprising:
 a diffusiophoretic water filter having at least one channel having an inlet and an outlet and for receiving a colloidal suspension at the inlet and flowing the colloidal suspension between the inlet and the outlet in a flow direction, the channel being in contact with a diffusiophoretic-inducing membrane, wherein the membrane is a PDMS sheet consisting essentially of PDMS and having a Shore A of between 40 and 60, a tensile elongation of at least 1000 psi, and a tear B being at least 150 ppi.   
     
     
         32 . The water filtration device as recited in  claim 31  further comprising: a pressurizable gas chamber for providing pressurized gas to the at least one channel via the membrane, the membrane being a gas permeable and water impermeable membrane. 
     
     
         33 . The water filtration device as recited in  claim 31  further comprising an inlet manifold for receiving the colloidal suspension including colloidal particles in water, the inlet manifold including a water pressure regulator, the water pressure regulator having a height regulator. 
     
     
         34 . The water filtration device as recited in  claim 31  further comprising an outlet splitter for connecting to the outlet, the outlet splitter having a first splitter outlet and a second splitter outlet, the first splitter outlet for receiving water having a higher concentration of some of the colloidal particles than a second splitter outlet. 
     
     
         35 . A water filtration device comprising:
 a diffusiophoretic water filter having at least one channel having an inlet and an outlet and for receiving a colloidal suspension at the inlet and flowing the colloidal suspension between the inlet and the outlet in a flow direction, the channel being in contact with a diffusiophoretic-inducing membrane, wherein the membrane has a slope of at least 0.001 m/m, and the channel being an open channel.   
     
     
         36 . A water filtration device comprising:
 a diffusiophoretic water filter having a plurality of side-by-side channels and having an inlet and an outlet and for receiving a colloidal suspension at the inlet and flowing the colloidal suspension between the inlet and the outlet in a flow direction through the pluralilty of side-by-side channels, the plurality of side-by-side channels being in contact with a diffusiophoretic-inducing membrane on a first side and a gas-permeable cover on a second side facing the first side, the membrane and the cover being spaced apart by two end walls and a plurality of side walls between the two end walls, the side and end walls extending in the flow direction and having a height defining a thickness of the channels, the membrane and the cover each consisting essentially of PDMS.   
     
     
         37 . The water filtration device as recited in  claim 36  wherein the membrane has a Shore A of between 40 and 60. 
     
     
         38 . The water filtration device as recited in  claim 36  wherein the membrane has a tensile elongation of at least 1000 psi. 
     
     
         39 . The water filtration device as recited in  claim 36  wherein the membrane has an elongation to failure of 200. 
     
     
         40 . The water filtration device as recited in  claim 36  wherein the membrane has a tear B of at least 150 ppi.