US 12,330,121 B2
3D printed spacers for ion-exchange device
Ethan L. Demeter, The Woodlands, TX (US); Michael James Connor, Jr., Porter, TX (US); Chad Unrau, Houston, TX (US); and Brian M. McDonald, Austin, TX (US)
Assigned to TexOPCO, LLC, Houston, TX (US)
Filed by TexOPCO, LLC, Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Feb. 2, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/431,696.
Prior Publication US 2024/0307827 A1, Sep. 19, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B29C 35/08 (2006.01); B01D 61/42 (2006.01); B01D 67/00 (2006.01); B29C 64/10 (2017.01); B29C 64/30 (2017.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 80/00 (2015.01); C02F 1/42 (2023.01); C02F 1/44 (2023.01)
CPC B01D 67/0088 (2013.01) [B01D 61/422 (2013.01); B01D 67/009 (2013.01); B29C 35/0805 (2013.01); B29C 64/10 (2017.08); B29C 64/30 (2017.08); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 80/00 (2014.12); C02F 1/42 (2013.01); C02F 1/44 (2013.01); B01D 2313/14 (2013.01); B29C 2035/0827 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of forming one or more ion exchange membranes comprising:
3D printing a plurality of curable spacers on a surface of the ion exchange membrane; and
curing the plurality of curable 3D printed spacers to form a plurality of 3D printed spacers on the surface of the ion exchange membrane, wherein the plurality of 3D printed spacers have the following properties:
a first width W1 at a first distance L1 from the membrane surface,
a second width W2 at a second distance L2 from the membrane surface,
W1>W2, and
L1>L2,
and wherein a plurality of the curable spacers have a non-planar, interconnected network structure; and
curing said plurality of curable 3D printed spacers to form a plurality of 3D printed spacers on one or more surfaces of said ion exchange membrane.