Baffle for multi-tube separation membrane module

Abstract

The present invention provides a baffle for a separation membrane module having multiple separation membranes that facilitates the installation of the separation membranes and prevents damage to the surface when inserting the separation membranes. [Solution] A baffle for improving the contact efficiency between a fluid and a tubular separation membrane in a multi-tube separation membrane module, wherein the baffle is provided with an insertion hole for inserting a tubular separation membrane, and the inner diameter of the insertion hole narrows in the direction of insertion of the tubular separation membrane, thereby facilitating the installation of the tubular separation membrane into the module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for improving the workability during the insertion of a membrane into a multi-tubular separation membrane module.

Background Art

[0002] The separation membrane element used in a multi-tubular separation membrane module is formed by making a porous separation membrane made of zeolite or the like having micropores of the order of the size of molecules of the substance to be separated into a tubular shape. In order to separate a specific component from a fluid such as a solution or a mixed gas, a method of separating a specific component by vaporizing it by bringing the supply-side fluid into contact with one side (outer tube surface) of the separation membrane element and keeping the other side (inner tube surface) at a low pressure, a method of separating a specific component by vaporizing a solution and bringing it into contact with the separation membrane element in a gaseous state and keeping the non-contact surface side at a low pressure, a method of separating a specific component by bringing a mixed gas in a pressurized state into contact with the separation membrane element, etc. are known. In such a multi-tubular separation membrane module, in order to enhance the separation efficiency, it is necessary for the fluid to be efficiently contacted throughout the module.

[0003] In conventional multi-tubular separation membrane modules, mainly double-tubular types have been used. However, in order to reduce costs, the development of notch-type baffles and orifice-type baffles has been underway. In Patent Document 1, a design method for an orifice-type baffle has been proposed, and it has been reported that the fluidization is promoted by the treated fluid passing through the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole of the baffle and the outer peripheral surface of the tubular separation membrane at a high flow rate, and the membrane separation efficiency is improved.

[0004] However, when using a notch-type baffle or an orifice-type baffle, since the gap between the baffle insertion hole and the tubular separation membrane is very narrow at about 1 mm, the workability when inserting the tubular separation membrane into the baffle is poor, and there is a problem that the membrane surface is damaged due to contact between the tubular separation membrane and the baffle insertion hole.

[0005] Patent Document 2 employs a method in which a sheath tube is used when inserting a tubular separation membrane into the baffle insertion hole, and the sheath tube is removed after the tubular separation membrane is fixed, thereby avoiding contact between the membrane surface and the baffle during module assembly. However, this method has the problem of increasing the working time due to the addition of extra steps and increased complexity during module assembly.

[0006] There is a need for a baffle that can improve the ease of inserting tubular separation membranes into baffle insertion holes while reducing the risk of damage to the membrane surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-247107 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-007569 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The present invention aims to improve the workability when inserting tubular separation membranes into baffle insertion holes in conventional multi-tube separation membrane modules, and to reduce the risk of damage to tubular separation membranes. In particular, it focuses on providing a new baffle that facilitates the insertion of tubular separation membranes and enhances the function of protecting the membrane surface. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the above objective, the first embodiment is a baffle for improving the contact efficiency between a fluid and a tubular separation membrane in a multi-tube separation membrane module, characterized in that the baffle is provided with an insertion hole for inserting a tubular separation membrane, and the inner diameter of the insertion hole decreases in the direction in which the tubular separation membrane is inserted, thereby facilitating the installation of the tubular separation membrane into the module.

[0010] The second embodiment is characterized by having a tapered insertion hole.

[0011] The third embodiment is characterized by having a cushioning material on the surface of the insertion hole, the cushioning material mitigating the impact when inserting the tubular separation membrane. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The first embodiment improves the ease of inserting tubular separation membranes in a multi-tube separation membrane module and reduces the risk of damage to the membrane surface. With conventional baffles, inserting tubular separation membranes into the baffle's insertion holes requires a high degree of precision, and even a slight deviation in the center position can cause the membrane surface to come into contact with the baffle and be damaged. However, by adopting the insertion holes of the embodiment of the present invention, the insertion opening is wider than that of conventional insertion holes and narrows in the direction of insertion of the tubular separation membrane, making it easier to adjust the center position of the tubular separation membrane and thus solving these problems.

[0013] In the second embodiment, the baffle has a tapered insertion hole, which allows the tip of the tubular separation membrane to be guided toward the center of the taper.

[0014] In the third embodiment, the baffle allows the cushioning material on the surface of the insertion hole to mitigate the impact when the tubular separation membrane is accidentally inserted and comes into contact with the inner wall of the insertion hole, thereby preventing damage to the surface of the tubular separation membrane.

[0015] This invention provides a multi-tube separation membrane module with a novel tapered insertion hole that prioritizes ease of handling of the separation membrane and protection of the membrane surface. It is expected to extend the lifespan of the separation membrane, reduce the operating costs of the multi-tube separation membrane module, and bring about advancements in the industrial application of separation technology. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the baffle of an embodiment in a multi-tube membrane module. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram comparing the through-holes of baffles, where (a) is an orifice baffle with a conventional through-hole, (b) is an orifice baffle with a tapered through-hole according to the embodiment, and (c) is an orifice baffle with a cushioning material bonded to the tapered through-hole. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] The baffle for a multi-tube separation membrane module according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0018] The left side of Figure 1 (overall view) schematically shows the internal structure of the assembled multi-tube separation membrane module 1. This multi-tube separation membrane module 1 comprises a cylindrical housing 2 with the cylindrical axis direction as vertical, a plurality of tubular separation membranes 5 arranged parallel to the axis of the housing 2, a support plate 4 provided at the top of the housing 2, a top cover 7 attached to the upper end of the housing 2 and a bottom cover 8 attached to the lower end, and an orifice baffle 3 having tapered insertion holes arranged in six stages parallel to the support plate 4 between the support plate 4 and the bottom cover 8. The number of stages of the orifice baffle 3 can be changed according to the size of the multi-tube separation membrane module 1, and is not limited thereto.

[0019] The orifice baffle 3, which has tapered insertion holes, has the same number of insertion holes (orifice holes) as the tubular separator membrane 5. As shown in the enlarged view on the right (longitudinal section along the housing axis), the tubular separator membrane 5 is fixed to the support plate 4 at a position where a gap is secured between it and the inner wall of the insertion hole. An end cap 6 is connected to the lower end of the tubular separator membrane 4, and the upper end (transmission side outlet) is slightly fitted and fixed to the outside of the support plate 4, thereby maintaining the airtightness of the space sandwiched between the support plate 4 and the bottom cover 8. Note that the end cap is a part that does not affect the separation performance. The orifice baffle 3 is fixed inside the housing by integrating with the support plate 4 via multiple metal rods or the like (not shown).

[0020] In this embodiment, the fluid to be treated flows into the housing from the fluid-to-be-treated introduction pipe 9, passes through the gap between the insertion hole of the orifice baffle 3 and the tubular separation membrane 5, and is discharged from the non-permeating fluid discharge pipe 10. The fluid that has permeated through the tubular separation membrane 5 is discharged from the permeating fluid discharge pipe 11. Note that the flow direction of the fluid to be treated with respect to the baffle may be changed by a method such as introducing the fluid to be treated from the side of the non-permeating fluid discharge pipe 10.

[0021] FIG. 2 schematically shows longitudinal cross-sections along the housing axis direction of an orifice baffle having a conventional type insertion hole (FIG. 2(a)) and an orifice baffle having a tapered insertion hole of the embodiment (FIG. 2(b)). The white arrow indicates the insertion direction of the tubular separation membrane 5. In the tapered insertion hole 3b of the embodiment, the inner diameter shrinks in the insertion direction of the tubular separation membrane 5 and gradually becomes the same inner diameter as the conventional insertion hole 3a. Note that the inner wall of the insertion hole may be rounded by rounding processing.

[0022] FIG. 2(c) schematically shows a state in which a buffer material 12 is adhered to the inner wall of the tapered insertion hole by a process such as heat fusion. Note that the adhesion range is not limited to the illustrated form. By widening the inner diameter before adhesion by the thickness equivalent of the buffer material to be adhered, the inner diameter of the insertion hole 3c to which the buffer material is adhered can be adjusted to be the same as that of the insertion hole 3b, but additional taper processing may be performed for stepwise adjustment. The thickness of the buffer material depends on the type of synthetic resin. The thickness of the buffer material is not particularly limited as long as the impact during membrane insertion can be mitigated and the strength of the baffle against the fluid can be ensured. For the buffer material, a soft material, for example, a sponge-like synthetic resin or the like can be used. For the synthetic resin, fluororesin, polyimide, polypropylene, polyurethane, etc. can be used, but it is not particularly limited as long as it can be adhered to the inner wall of the insertion hole. Note that in fixing the buffer material to the insertion hole, a method of fitting a cylindrical buffer material processed to cover the tapered portion into the insertion hole may be adopted.

[0023] In this embodiment, in the operation of inserting the membrane into the baffle, the tip of the tubular separation membrane 5 can be easily directed toward the center of the insertion hole, reducing the risk of the tubular separation membrane 5 accidentally contacting the edge of the baffle. Further, by adhering a buffer material to the inner wall of the insertion hole, even if the center position is displaced during the insertion operation and the tubular separation membrane 5 rubs against or collides with the inner wall, the friction reduction effect and the shock mitigation effect will work to avoid damage to the membrane surface. The present invention can also be used for baffles having insertion holes for inserting tubular separation membranes other than the orifice baffle, such as notch-type baffles, etc.

Industrial Applicability

[0024] According to the embodiment of the present invention, in addition to improving the workability when installing the tubular separation membrane in the multi-tubular separation membrane module, the long life of the tubular separation membrane can be realized by reducing the risk of membrane damage, thus contributing to cost reduction and productivity improvement in the industrial field.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0025] 1 Multi-tubular separation membrane module 2 Housing 3 Orifice baffle 3a Conventional insertion hole 3b Tapered insertion hole 3c Tapered insertion hole (with buffer material adhered) 4 Support plate 5 Tubular separation membrane 6 End cap 7 Top cover 8 Bottom cover 9 Process fluid inlet pipe 10 Non-permeating fluid discharge pipe 11 Permeated fluid discharge pipe 12 Buffer material

Claims

1. A baffle for improving the contact efficiency between a fluid and a tubular separation membrane in a multi-tube separation membrane module, The baffle is provided with an insertion hole for inserting the tubular separation membrane, The inner diameter of the insertion hole decreases in the direction in which the tubular separation membrane is inserted, thereby facilitating the installation of the tubular separation membrane into the module. A baffle characterized by the following features.

2. The baffle according to claim 1, characterized in that the insertion hole is a tapered insertion hole.

3. The baffle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a cushioning material is provided on the surface of the insertion hole, and the cushioning material mitigates the impact when the tubular separation membrane is inserted.

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