generated which forms complexes with the oil and other contaminants. Hydrogen is produced at the cathode, and this flocculates the aluminium hydroxide complex. The flocculated complex can then be skimmed off for further treatment or disposal.

Membrane Bioreactor It is reported in Membrane News (ESTMS) that Mitsui Petrochemical Industry Co Ltd, Japan, has a membrane bioreactor under development for various enzyme reactions. The reactor has apparently given good results in the continuous production of sorbitol and sodium gluconate. The entire process involves supply of enzymes by cell cultivation, the enzyme-catalysed reaction itself, and a subsequent refinery operation involving solvent extraction with ethanol to separate the sorbitol from the sodium gluconate. The steps are incorporated in a continuous reaction loop.

Award for MTR In September, Membrane Technology & Research, Menlo Park, California, USA received an R&D 100 Award for its membrane process to separate fluorinated hydrocarbons from gas streams. Each year the R & D Award scheme recognises the 100 most significant new technical products and processes.

The company received a patent for the process in March 1990.

Joint marketing Polymer Laboratories Ltd, Church Stretton, Shropshire, England, has concluded a joint marketing agreement with Sepracor Inc, Marlborough Massachusetts, USA. Under the agreement Sepracor has the right to market worldwide Polymer Laboratories' full range of products, including polymer chromatography media and protein purification process, while

Polymer Laboratories will be free to market new products developed by Sepracor. Both companies will continue to develop new products in the field.

More air separation in Japan Air Liquide has announced a number of air separation investments in Japan, through its subsidiary Teisan. The projects include a 380 t/d oxygen, nitrogen and argon plant at Yokkaichi, a 120 t/d argon plant near Nagoya and a 100 t/d high purity nitrogen plant on Kyushu. In total, 1370 t/d of new capacity is planned through the joint venture.

Sartorius announces price freeze Sartorius Filtration in the UK has announced that prices for its most popular products will be frozen for 1991 at 1990 prices. Tony Capocci, chief executive, said that this is made possible by the company's vastly increased turnover in 1990. "It's always been our policy to pass on benefits of this kind to our customers," he added, which " . . . they deserve . . . in these difficult times."

Prices of some items will rise by 3-10%, however.

Ultra-thin membranes Membrane Technology & Research, Menlo Park, California, USA, has been developing a sputtering technique for production of ultrathin (300-500 A) metal membranes. MTR has said that such membranes can be up to ten times more permeable to hydrogen and appreciably more selective to hydrogen over other gases than polymeric types currently avialable. Higher selectivities could be achieved if the membrane could be produced without defects and the company is attempting to

Membrane Technology 3