Venting and filtration systems with gas permeable membrane
Embodiments of the invention provide venting and filtration systems with a membrane that is permeable to gas and substantially impermeable liquid. The systems can remove a gas from a liquid entrained with gas. The systems can include a reservoir in fluid communication with the membrane and a liquid outlet. The membrane can help prevent the gas from reaching the liquid outlet.
1. A passive venting system that vents gas from one of liquid food product and drinking water entrained with gas, the venting system comprising:
a housing including a reservoir, the reservoir including a fluid inlet, a gas outlet, and a liquid outlet; and
a single non-porous membrane in fluid communication with the reservoir and the gas outlet, the non-porous membrane being permeable to the gas and substantially impermeable to the one of liquid food product and drinking water;
the single non-porous membrane being positioned adjacent to an upper portion of the housing.
2. The venting system of claim 1 , wherein the reservoir provides a tortuous flow path for the liquid.
3. The venting system of claim 2 , wherein the reservoir includes at least one baffle to create the tortuous flow path.
4. The venting system of claim 1 , wherein the non-porous membrane is coupled to the housing with a pinch seal.
5. The venting system of claim 1 , wherein the non-porous membrane is constructed of at least a thermoset polymer.
6. The venting system of claim 1 , wherein the non-porous membrane is constructed of at least a silicone.
7. The venting system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the housing and the reservoir is constructed as part of at least one of a liquid pumping system, a liquid transport system, and a liquid storage system.
8. The venting system of claim 1 , wherein the upper portion of the housing includes at least one outlet, and wherein the single non-porous membrane is positioned adjacent to the at least one outlet.