US 12,305,623 B2
System and process for recovering energy from gradients of gas mixtures
Jonathan Maisonneuve, Auburn Hills, MI (US)
Assigned to Oakland University, Rochester, MI (US)
Appl. No. 17/435,193
Filed by Oakland University, Rochester, MI (US)
PCT Filed Feb. 28, 2020, PCT No. PCT/US2020/020274
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Aug. 31, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/180641, PCT Pub. Date Sep. 10, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/812,284, filed on Mar. 1, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0145863 A1, May 12, 2022
Int. Cl. F03G 7/00 (2006.01); B01D 53/22 (2006.01)
CPC F03G 7/0252 (2021.08) [B01D 53/22 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A gradient energy system, comprising:
a membrane module including:
a first section;
a second section connected to a mechanical load, the second section having a substantially fixed volume; and
a membrane separating the first section and the second section;
a first gas provided within the first section; and
a second gas provided within the second section;
wherein a partial pressure difference between the first gas and the second gas causes at least some of the first gas to passively or spontaneously permeate from the first section to the second section to join the second gas and to increase a volume of gas in the second section; the increased volume of gas in the second section generates a pressurized force in the second section; and the pressurized force in the second section is transferred to perform mechanical work on or in connection with the mechanical load.