Gripping member, separation membrane module having the same, and method for assembling the separation membrane module

Abstract

To prevent entry of a separated gas or raw material by sealing a gap between a through-hole of a flange of a hydrogen gas separator and a cylindrical gas separator, to exhibit a function even under high temperature, and to fix and secure the cylindrical gas separator without applying large external force to the cylindrical gas separator.SOLUTION: A separation film module 1 includes: a plurality of cylindrical gas separators 2, each having an open end 2b exposed from a device body and having a gas separation film; a flange 3 having a plurality of flange through-holes 3a; and a sealing structure 10 that seals a gap between an open end 2b of each cylindrical gas separator 2 and an inside wall of each flange through-hole 3a. The sealing structure 10 includes: an O-ring 4 fitted in an O-ring groove portion 3b formed in an inner peripheral edge of an open end 2b side of the flange through-hole 3a; and a resin-made holding member 5 that is fitted into a groove portion 3c for a gripping member having a trapezoidal cross section formed in an inner peripheral edge on a side opposite to the open end 2b of the flange through-hole 3a, grips the cylindrical gas separator 2, is higher in rigidity than the O-ring 4 and has an approximately trapezoidal cross section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a holding member, a separation membrane module including the same, and an assembling method for a separation membrane module. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, as schematically shown in Fig. 7, a hydrogen gas separator 110 or a membrane reactor has an internal space in a cylindrical container 130 where the catalytic reaction of a raw material proceeds. A gas separator 123, which is constituted by a cylindrical hollow porous substrate and a gas separation membrane supported on the porous substrate, is arranged in the container 130. One end 123a of the gas separator 123 is arranged inside the container 130, and the other end 123b is arranged outside the container 130. Hydrogen gas separated from the raw material by catalytic reaction passes through the gas separation membrane into the gas separator 123, and only hydrogen gas is discharged from the one end 123b outside the container 130 to a hydrogen gas extraction portion 140 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] As shown in an enlarged view in Fig. 8, the one end 123b of the gas separator 123 passes through a through-hole 134a formed in a flange 134 of the container 130, and has a structure that seals the gap therebetween. [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2020-142160 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] In the hydrogen gas separator 110, the requirements for the seal are as follows.

[0006] 1) Having sealing performance that prevents raw materials, hydrogen gas and the like in the reaction container 130 from entering the hydrogen gas extraction portion 140 2) The inside of the container 130 is heated by the heater 150 to promote the catalytic reaction, and the seal portion 135 is subjected to a maximum temperature of approximately 200°C, so the seal performance must be maintained at that temperature. 3) Because pressure is applied inside the reaction vessel 130, generating a force that pushes the gas separator outwards, the seal portion is designed to fix the gas separator 123 in place so that it does not move. 4) The gas separation membrane on the surface of the gas separator 123 is brittle, and if a large external force is applied, cracks may form, potentially causing hydrogen gas or raw material liquid to leak along the cracks. Therefore, avoid applying large external forces to the gas separator 123. 5) In order to efficiently recover the hydrogen gas generated in the reaction vessel 130, it is necessary to maximize the proportion of the surface area of ​​the gas separator 123 within the reaction vessel 130. Therefore, it is possible to arrange multiple gas separators 123 as close together as possible.

[0007] Conventionally, an inorganic adhesive (glass seal) was used for the sealing portion 135. The inorganic adhesive is heat-resistant, can fix the gas separator 123, and does not apply external force to the gas separation membrane.

[0008] However, it is difficult to uniformly apply the adhesive to the gap between the flange 134 and the gas separator 123, and the adhesive needs to be heated at a high temperature in another location to cure, resulting in poor workability. Furthermore, the adhesive layer is not formed uniformly, which leads to problems in obtaining sufficient sealing performance.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and its purpose is to seal the gap between the through-hole of the flange of the hydrogen gas separation device and the cylindrical gas separator to prevent the intrusion of the gas to be separated and the raw materials, to ensure that it functions even at high temperatures, and to fix the cylindrical gas separator in place without applying a large external force. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve the above objective, this invention incorporates improvements to the gripping structure of the cylindrical gas separator.

[0011] Specifically, the first invention is used in a hydrogen gas separation apparatus comprising a separation membrane module and an apparatus body having an internal space in which a mixed gas accumulates and a window portion to which the internal space is exposed, wherein the separation membrane module has an open end exposed from the apparatus body and is used in a hydrogen gas separation apparatus comprising a plurality of cylindrical gas separators having a gas separation membrane and a flange having a plurality of flange through holes, The open ends of each of the cylindrical gas separators are inserted into the flange through-holes, and a gripping member is positioned between the open ends and the inner wall of the flange through-holes to grip the cylindrical gas separators, A gripping member body having a substantially trapezoidal cross-section is fitted into a groove for a gripping member, which is recessed in the inner peripheral edge of the flange through-hole and has a trapezoidal cross-section. The gripping member has a configuration that includes a protruding contact surface having a curved cross-section that extends from the main body of the gripping member toward the outer circumference of the cylindrical gas separator.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the cylindrical gas separator is inserted through the flange through-hole with the open end exposed from the main body of the device free and fixed to the gripping member. However, the protruding contact surface of the gripping member is in close contact with the outer circumference of the cylindrical gas separator, so the cylindrical gas separator is held stably. Furthermore, the cross-section of the gripping member is approximately trapezoidal, and when fitted into the groove for the gripping member, the effect of pressing the protruding contact surface toward the cylindrical gas separator is obtained. For this reason, the cylindrical gas separator does not move even if the pressure in the internal space increases. Heat resistance can be easily ensured by molding the gripping member with a resin molded product such as PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), which has high heat resistance.

[0013] In the second invention, in the first invention, The gripping member body is an annular member made of molded resin.

[0014] According to the above configuration, because it is a resin molded product, complex shapes can be molded, and its hardness is not too high, making it less likely to damage the cylindrical gas separator, while still possessing appropriate rigidity to firmly hold the cylindrical gas separator. Furthermore, by selecting a material with high heat resistance, such as PPS, heat resistance can be easily ensured.

[0015] In the third invention, in the first or second invention, Multiple recesses are formed at intervals on the outer circumference of the gripping member body.

[0016] With the above configuration, the gripping member deforms appropriately, making it less likely to damage the cylindrical gas separator.

[0017] In the fourth invention, The present invention relates to a separation membrane module attached to a device body having an internal space in which a mixed gas accumulates and a window portion that exposes the internal space, The separation membrane module is A plurality of cylindrical gas separators having open ends exposed from the main body of the apparatus and having gas separation membranes, A flange having multiple flange through holes, The cylindrical gas separator has a sealing structure that seals the gap between each of its open ends and the inner wall of the flange through hole, The aforementioned sealing structure is An O-ring is fitted into an O-ring groove formed on the inner periphery of the flange through hole opposite to the open end, The configuration includes a gripping member having a substantially trapezoidal cross-section and higher rigidity than the O-ring, which is fitted into a groove for a gripping member having a trapezoidal cross-section formed on the inner peripheral edge of the open end side of the flange through-hole, and which grips the cylindrical gas separator.

[0018] According to the above configuration, the O-ring side can block the passage of the mixed gas in the internal space, and the holding member having higher rigidity than the O-ring can reliably hold the cylindrical gas separator that tends to become unstable. Furthermore, the required heat resistance can be easily ensured by forming the O-ring from fluorine-based rubber with high heat resistance, or molding the holding member from a resin molded product such as PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) with high heat resistance.

[0019] In the fifth invention, in the fourth invention, comprising an upper plate and a lower plate which have gas separator insertion holes corresponding to the flange through-holes and sandwich the flange from above and below, the lower plate is configured to press all of the O-rings respectively against the corresponding O-ring grooves, and the upper plate is configured to press all of the holding members respectively against the corresponding holding member grooves.

[0020] According to the above configuration, tightening the upper plate and / or the lower plate allows the flange through-holes to be easily sealed by the O-rings and / or the holding members, resulting in good workability. In addition, since only a small number of fasteners such as bolts are required to tighten the upper plate and / or the lower plate, the installation space for these fasteners can be reduced, and as a result, a plurality of gas separators can be arranged with the interval therebetween as small as possible.

[0021] In the sixth invention, in the fourth or fifth invention, the holding member is configured to comprise: a holding member main body having a substantially trapezoidal cross section fitted into the holding member groove; and a protruding contact surface having a curved cross section extending from the holding member main body toward the outer circumference of the cylindrical gas separator so as to expand outward.

[0022] According to the above configuration, the cylindrical gas separator is inserted through the flange through-hole with the open end exposed from the main body of the device free and fixed to the gripping member. However, the protruding contact surface of the gripping member is in close contact with the outer circumference of the cylindrical gas separator, so the cylindrical gas separator is held stably. In addition, the cross-section of the gripping member is approximately trapezoidal, and when fitted into the groove for the gripping member, the effect of pressing the protruding contact surface toward the cylindrical gas separator is obtained. For this reason, the cylindrical gas separator does not move even if the pressure in the internal space increases.

[0023] In the seventh invention, The device comprises a separation membrane module and a main body having an internal space in which a mixed gas accumulates and a window portion that exposes the internal space. The separation membrane module, A plurality of cylindrical gas separators having open ends exposed from the main body of the apparatus and having gas separation membranes, A flange having multiple flange through holes, A method for assembling the separation membrane module in a hydrogen gas separation apparatus having bolt insertion holes corresponding to the flange through holes and an upper plate and a lower plate that sandwich the flange from above and below, the apparatus comprising: Insert each cylindrical gas separator into the gas separator insertion hole in the lower plate. The O-ring is inserted and attached from the end side through which the cylindrical gas separator is inserted. The lower plate is fixed in contact with the flange so that the cylindrical gas separator is inserted into the flange through-hole, and the O-ring is made to fit tightly into the O-ring groove on the inner periphery of the flange through-hole. The gripping member is inserted and attached from the end side through which all of the aforementioned cylindrical gas separators are inserted. The upper plate is fixed in contact with the flange so that the cylindrical gas separator is inserted into the gas separator insertion hole of the upper plate, and a gripping member with higher rigidity than the O-ring is made to fit tightly into the groove for the gripping member on the inner periphery of the flange through hole.

[0024] With the above configuration, the O-ring can prevent the passage of the mixed gas in the internal space, and the gripping member, which is more rigid than the O-ring, can securely hold the cylindrical gas separator, which tends to be unstable. Furthermore, the required heat resistance can be easily ensured by using a highly heat-resistant fluororubber for the O-ring or molding the gripping member with a highly heat-resistant resin molded product such as PPS (polyphenylene sulfide).

[0025] In the eighth invention, in the seventh invention, By fastening the lower plate to the flange while the lower plate is in contact with the flange, all O-rings are brought into close contact with the O-ring grooves on the inner periphery of the flange through-holes, and / or By fastening the upper plate to the flange while the upper plate is in contact with the flange, all gripping members are brought into close contact with the grooves for gripping members on the inner periphery of the flange through-hole at the same time.

[0026] With the above configuration, the flange through-holes can be easily sealed with O-rings and / or gripping members by tightening the upper and / or lower plates, resulting in good workability. Furthermore, since fewer bolts or other fasteners are needed to tighten the upper and / or lower plates, the space required for their placement can be reduced, and as a result, it is possible to arrange multiple gas separators as close together as possible. [Effects of the Invention]

[0027] As described above, according to the present invention, the gap between the through-hole of the flange of the hydrogen gas separation apparatus and the cylindrical gas separator can be sealed to prevent the intrusion of the gas to be separated and the raw materials, and the apparatus can function even at high temperatures and fix the cylindrical gas separator in place without applying a large external force to it. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0028] [Figure 1] This is a top-down perspective view of the separation membrane module. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the separation membrane module from below. [Figure 3] This is a magnified cross-sectional view of the separation module. [Figure 4] This is a disassembled perspective view of the separation module. [Figure 5] The gripping member is shown, with (a) being an enlarged cross-sectional view of the Va-Va line in (d), (b) being a plan view, (c) being a front view, and (d) being a bottom view. [Figure 6] This table shows the results of comparing the example with comparative examples 1 and 2. [Figure 7] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional hydrogen gas separation apparatus. [Figure 8] This is a magnified cross-sectional view showing the seal portion of a conventional hydrogen gas separation device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0030] This embodiment focuses on a separation membrane module 1 attached to a device body of a known hydrogen gas separation apparatus 110, as shown in Figure 7, which has an internal space where the mixed gas accumulates and a window portion that exposes the internal space. For this reason, a description of the hydrogen gas separation apparatus 110 itself will be omitted.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the separation membrane module 1 comprises a plurality of cylindrical gas separators 2, each having a lower end 2a positioned within the internal space and an open end 2b protruding towards the upper end, and a gas separation membrane (not shown) on its outer surface. In this embodiment, six cylindrical gas separators 2 are provided, but the number is not particularly limited. The cylindrical gas separators 2 have a cylindrical porous substrate, and the material of the porous substrate is not particularly limited, but for example, it may be made of a ceramic material such as α-alumina. The gas separation membrane may be made of a silica membrane, zeolite membrane, palladium membrane, etc. The cylindrical gas separators 2 themselves do not have as much rigidity or strength as metals such as steel.

[0032] The separation membrane module 1 is equipped with a disc-shaped flange 3 having multiple flange through-holes. This seals the upper end of the container 130 of the hydrogen gas separation device 110 and is made of, for example, titanium or a titanium alloy. In this embodiment, six flange through-holes 3a are opened at 60° intervals in the circumferential direction. The number and arrangement of the flange through-holes 3a are determined by the number of cylindrical gas separators 2, but it is desirable to arrange them as densely as possible. On the upper and lower surfaces of the flange through-holes 3a, grooves for O-rings 3b and gripping members 3c, respectively, are formed so as to enlarge the inner circumferential surface.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, a sealing structure 10 is provided to seal the gap between each open end 2b of the cylindrical gas separator 2 and the inner wall of the flange through hole 3a.

[0034] In this embodiment, the seal structure 10 is provided at two locations, upper and lower, of each flange through-hole 3a. Specifically, it includes an O-ring 4 fitted into an O-ring groove 3b formed on the inner peripheral edge of the lower end 2a side of the flange through-hole 3a, and a resin gripping member 5 with a substantially trapezoidal cross-section and higher rigidity than the O-ring 4, fitted into a gripping member groove 3c with a trapezoidal cross-section formed on the inner peripheral edge of the open end 2b side (upper end side) of the flange through-hole 3a. The O-ring 4 mainly performs a sealing function between the raw material and hydrogen gas inside the container 130. Since the O-ring 4 alone may be insufficient for fixing the cylindrical gas separator 2, the resin gripping member 5 is used separately from the O-ring 4.

[0035] Flange 3 is heated by the heater 150 of the hydrogen gas separator 110, and may reach temperatures of around 200°C. Therefore, the seal structure 10 needs to be made of a material with high heat resistance.

[0036] The shape of the O-ring 4 is, for example, a standard circular cross-section O-ring 4. By making the O-ring 4 out of a highly heat-resistant fluororubber, such as fluororubber (FKM), perfluoroelastomer (FFKM), or silicone rubber, the required heat resistance can be easily ensured. In addition to heat resistance, fluororubber (FKM) is suitable because it does not allow hydrogen gas to pass through. The groove 3b for the O-ring is, for example, triangular in cross-section with a 45° inclined surface.

[0037] The resin gripping member 5 is an annular member made of a resin molded product with higher rigidity than the O-ring 4. The open ends 2b of the cylindrical gas separator 2 are inserted into the flange through holes 3a, and the gripping member is positioned between the open ends 2b and the inner wall of the flange through holes 3a to grip the cylindrical gas separator 2. For example, the resin gripping member 5 is a resin molded product made of a highly heat-resistant material such as PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) or PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). Because the resin gripping member 5 is a resin molded product, it can be molded into complex shapes, and its hardness is not too high, making it less likely to damage the cylindrical gas separator 2. By constructing it from a highly heat-resistant resin molded product as described above, the required heat resistance can be easily ensured.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5, the resin gripping member 5 has a resin gripping member body 5a with a substantially trapezoidal cross-section that fits into a groove 3c for a gripping member, which is recessed in the inner peripheral edge of the flange through hole 3a and has a trapezoidal cross-section.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, when viewed in an enlarged cross-section, the gripping member groove 3c has an upper edge that opens to the upper surface of the flange 3, a lower edge that is parallel to it and shorter than the upper edge, and a side edge that connects them, the inner diameter of which decreases from the upper edge to the lower edge. For example, the height of the resin gripping member 5 is slightly shorter than the depth of the gripping member groove 3c.

[0040] On the other hand, the resin gripping member 5 has a protruding contact surface 5b with a curved cross-section that extends from the resin gripping member body 5a toward the outer circumference of the cylindrical gas separator 2 (radially inward). That is, as shown in an enlarged view in Figure 5(a), the protruding contact surface 5b has a circular arc cross-section with its center located toward the center of the resin gripping member 5, and its upper and lower ends are the first to contact the outer surface of the cylindrical gas separator 2. This protruding contact surface 5b ensures sealing performance by adhering tightly to the outer surface of the cylindrical gas separator 2 without damaging it.

[0041] As shown in Figures 5(b) to (d), the resin gripping member 5 has, for example, circular grooves 5c on its upper and lower surfaces, and five radial grooves 5d extending radially intersect these circular grooves 5c, provided at equal intervals, for example, with a 72° gap in the circumferential direction. Since the radial grooves 5d are positioned offset from each other on the upper and lower surfaces and extend to the tapered surface of the outer circumference, as shown in Figure 5(c), the outer surface appears to have radial grooves 5d arranged as recesses, extending from above and below at a 36° gap in the circumferential direction. The other ends of the radial grooves 5d on the upper and lower surfaces extend to the protruding contact surface 5b. These circular grooves 5c and radial grooves 5d are intended to make the resin gripping member body 5a and the protruding contact surface 5b easily deformable and to give them appropriate flexibility.

[0042] The shape and material of the resin gripping member 5 are not limited to those described above, but essentially, they should have appropriate flexibility and strength, and high heat resistance.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the separation membrane module 1 has gas separator insertion holes 6a and 7a, respectively, corresponding to the flange through hole 3a, and includes an upper plate 6 and a lower plate 7 that sandwich the flange 3 from above and below.

[0044] The upper plate 6 and the lower plate 7 are made of, for example, disc-shaped titanium or titanium alloy, and have six gas separator insertion holes 6a and 7a arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, through which the open end 2b of the cylindrical gas separator 2 is inserted.

[0045] The upper plate 6 has bolt insertion holes 6b (shown only in Figure 4) for fastening the upper plate 6 to the upper surface of the flange 3 with fastening bolts 8, which are densely arranged in the area where there are no gas separator insertion holes 6a. By fastening these fastening bolts 8 and bringing the upper plate 6 into close contact with the upper surface of the flange 3, the upper plate 6 presses all the resin gripping members 5 against the corresponding trapezoidal gripping member grooves 3c, causing the resin gripping member body 5a to contract in the inner diameter direction and the protruding contact surface 5b to come into close contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical gas separator 2. The protruding contact surface 5b that contacts the cylindrical gas separator 2 is curved, making it less susceptible to variations in the diameter of the cylindrical gas separator 2. The fastening bolts 8 are made of hexagon socket head bolts so that they can be positioned as close together as possible, but are not limited to this, and hexagon bolts or other types may also be used.

[0046] The lower plate 7 has a thicker wall thickness towards the center than towards the outer circumference, and a screw hole 7b (shown only in Figure 3) is provided in the center. A fastening bolt 8, inserted from the top surface into the bolt insertion hole 3d of the flange 3, is fastened to this screw hole 7b. In addition, an O-ring 4' similar to the O-ring 4 may be provided on the underside of this screw hole 7b to ensure sealing performance. Furthermore, for example, bolts 8 can be inserted into each of the six bolt insertion holes 7c of the lower plate 7 and tightened into the screw holes 3e of the flange 3. By fastening these fastening bolts 8 and pressing the lower plate 7 tightly against the underside of the flange 3, the lower plate 7 presses all the O-rings 4 against the corresponding triangular cross-section O-ring grooves 3b, creating a tight seal under pressure.

[0047] -Method for assembling the separation membrane module- Next, a method for assembling the separation membrane module according to this embodiment will be described.

[0048] Although not shown in detail in the diagram, first, prepare the components of the hydrogen gas separation apparatus, including the separation membrane module 1.

[0049] As shown in Figure 4, first, all six cylindrical gas separators 2 are inserted into the gas separator insertion holes 7a of the lower plate 7.

[0050] Next, the O-ring 4 is inserted and attached from the end (open end 2b) side that has passed through the gas separator insertion hole 7a of the cylindrical gas separator 2.

[0051] Next, the lower plate 7 is fixed in contact with the flange 3 so that the cylindrical gas separator 2 is inserted into the flange through-hole 3a, and the O-ring 4 is pressed tightly against the O-ring groove 3b on the inner periphery of the flange through-hole 3a. Specifically, a fastening bolt 8 is inserted from the top into the bolt insertion hole 3d in the center of the flange 3, and the O-ring 4' is inserted through the tip of the bolt and fastened into the screw hole 7b. Then, a bolt 8 is inserted into the bolt insertion hole 7c of the lower plate 7 and tightened into the screw hole 3e of the flange 3. As these fastening bolts 8 are screwed in, the lower plate 7 presses down on all the O-rings 4, pressing them against the inclined surfaces of the corresponding triangular cross-section O-ring grooves 3b, so that the O-rings 4 are pressed tightly against the inclined surfaces under pressure. This provides sealing performance and reliably prevents the passage of the mixed gas in the internal space at the O-ring 4 side.

[0052] Next, the resin gripping members 5 are inserted and attached to all the cylindrical gas separators 2 from the inserted end (open end 2b) side.

[0053] Next, the upper plate 6 is fixed in contact with the flange 3 so that the cylindrical gas separator 2 is inserted into the gas separator insertion hole 6a of the upper plate 6, and the resin gripping members 5 are brought into close contact with the gripping member grooves 3c on the inner periphery of the flange through hole 3a. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, fastening bolts 8 are inserted sequentially from the upper surface side of the upper plate 6 into the bolt insertion holes 6b of the upper plate 6 and fastened to the screw holes (not shown) of the flange 3, bringing the upper plate 6 into close contact with the upper surface of the flange 3, thereby pressing all of the resin gripping members 5 against the trapezoidal gripping member grooves 3c. As a result, the resin gripping member body 5a shrinks in the inner diameter direction, and the protruding contact surface 5b comes into close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical gas separator 2. This ensures that the resin gripping members 5 can reliably hold the cylindrical gas separator 2, which tends to be unstable. Furthermore, because the tightening is performed by a flexible resin gripping member 5, a large force is not applied to the cylindrical gas separator 2, making it less likely for cracks to occur in the gas separation membrane.

[0054] In this way, by tightening the upper plate 6 and the lower plate 7, the flange through-hole 3a can be easily sealed with the O-ring 4 and the resin gripping member 5, resulting in good workability. Furthermore, since fewer fastening bolts 8 and other fasteners are needed to tighten the upper plate 6 and the lower plate 7, the space required for their placement can be reduced, and as a result, it is possible to arrange multiple cylindrical gas separators 2 as close together as possible. To prevent problems caused by overtightening, it is preferable that both the O-ring 4 and the resin gripping member 5 are designed so that they cannot be tightened beyond a certain point. For example, the fastening bolts 8 can be stepped bolts, or the upper plate 6 can be made to make surface contact with the upper surface of the flange 3, and the lower plate 7 can be made to make surface contact with the lower surface of the flange 3.

[0055] This fastening structure makes it possible to reduce the number of fastening bolts 8 and other parts, and to arrange multiple cylindrical gas separators 2 at a shorter distance, resulting in a hydrogen gas separation device that is easy to work with and has high hydrogen gas separation efficiency.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cylindrical gas separator 2 is inserted through the flange through-hole 3a with its lower end 2a opposite the open end 2b free and fixed to the resin gripping member 5. However, since the protruding contact surface 5b of the resin gripping member 5, which is more rigid than the O-ring 4, is in close contact with the outer circumference of the cylindrical gas separator 2, the cylindrical gas separator 2 is held stably while maintaining the sealing performance of the gap between the open end 2b and the inner wall of the flange through-hole 3a. Moreover, it can be reliably attached without dripping like glass adhesive, and there is no need to heat it elsewhere for bonding.

[0057] Furthermore, the resin gripping member 5 has a roughly trapezoidal cross-section, and when fitted into the groove 3c for the gripping member, it has the effect of pressing the protruding contact surface 5b toward the cylindrical gas separator 2. As a result, the cylindrical gas separator 2 does not move even when the pressure in the internal space increases.

[0058] In this embodiment, the required heat resistance can be easily ensured by using a highly heat-resistant fluororubber for the O-ring 4, or by molding the resin gripping member 5 with a highly heat-resistant resin molded product such as PPS.

[0059] -Examples- Figure 6 is a table showing the results of comparing the example with Comparative Examples 1 and 2. Comparative Example 1 is a sealing structure for a cylindrical gas separator 2 using an inorganic adhesive as described in Patent Document 1, Comparative Example 2 is a sealing structure using only an O-ring 4, and the example is a sealing structure 10 using the O-ring 4 and a resin gripping member 5 as described above.

[0060] As described above, with the inorganic adhesive of Comparative Example 1, it is difficult to apply it uniformly to the gap between the flange 3 and the cylindrical gas separator 2. Furthermore, because the inorganic adhesive needs to be heated at a high temperature in a separate location for curing, it is difficult to work with, and sufficient sealing performance cannot be obtained because the adhesive layer is not formed uniformly. In addition, because the fixation is insufficient, there is a problem that the seal portion 135 or the cylindrical gas separator 2 may be damaged when transporting it for assembly.

[0061] On the other hand, as in Comparative Example 2, a seal structure consisting only of an O-ring 4 and crimping does not provide sufficient fixing effect. Furthermore, if each cylindrical gas separator 2 is crimped individually, the workability is poor, and since they must be spaced apart, the space-saving effect cannot be obtained.

[0062] As described above, the separation membrane module 1 of the above embodiment provides excellent benefits, including high sealing performance in the cylindrical gas separator 6, secure fixation to the flange 3, heat resistance, resistance to external pressure, and a shorter distance between the cylindrical gas separators 2.

[0063] Therefore, according to the seal structure 10 of this embodiment, the gap between the flange through hole 3a of the flange 3 of the hydrogen gas separation device and the cylindrical gas separator 2 is sealed to prevent the entry of separated hydrogen gas and raw materials, and it can function even at high temperatures of up to about 200°C, and has the function of fixing the cylindrical gas separator 2 so that it does not move without applying a large external force.

[0064] The embodiments described above are essentially preferred examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications, or uses. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] 1 Separation membrane module 2. Cylindrical gas separator 2a Bottom edge 2b open end 3 flanges 3a Flange through hole 3b O-ring groove 3c Groove for gripping member 3D bolt insertion holes 3e screw hole 4 O-rings 4' O-ring 5. Resin gripping member 5a Resin gripping member body 5b Protruding contact surface 5c circular groove 5d Radial groove (concave) 6. Upper plate 6a Gas separator insertion hole 6b Bolt insertion hole 7. Lower plate 7a Gas separator insertion hole 7b Screw hole 7c Bolt insertion hole 8 fastening bolts 10. Seal structure 110 Hydrogen gas separation device 123 Gas Separator 123a One end 123b One end 130 Container 134 Flange 134a Through hole 135 Seal part 135 Adhesive part 140 Hydrogen gas extraction section 150 Heater

Claims

1. Separation membrane module, It comprises a container having an internal space in which a mixed gas accumulates, The separation membrane module, A flange having multiple flange through holes and closing the upper end of the container, The system comprises a plurality of cylindrical gas separators, each having an open end exposed through the flange through-hole and a gas separation membrane. The flange is used in a hydrogen gas separation apparatus in which hydrogen gas is discharged from the open end of the cylindrical gas separator by a hydrogen gas outlet. The open end of each of the cylindrical gas separators is inserted into the flange through-hole, and a gripping member is positioned between the open end and the inner wall of the flange through-hole to grip the cylindrical gas separator, A gripping member body having a substantially trapezoidal cross-section is fitted into a groove for a gripping member, which is recessed in the inner peripheral edge of the flange through-hole and has a trapezoidal cross-section. The gripping member body has a protruding contact surface having a curved cross-section that extends outward toward the outer circumference of the cylindrical gas separator. A gripping member characterized by the following features.

2. The gripping member body is an annular member made of a resin molded product. The gripping member according to feature 1.

3. Multiple recesses are spaced apart on the outer circumference of the gripping member body. The gripping member according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A separation membrane module attached to a container having an internal space in which a mixed gas accumulates, A flange having multiple flange through holes and closing the upper end of the container, Multiple cylindrical gas separators, each having an open end exposed through the flange through-hole and a gas separation membrane, The cylindrical gas separator has a sealing structure that seals the gap between each of its open ends and the inner wall of the flange through hole, The aforementioned sealing structure is An O-ring is fitted into an O-ring groove formed on the inner periphery of the flange through hole opposite to the open end, The gripping member, which has a substantially trapezoidal cross-section and is more rigid than the O-ring, is fitted into a groove for a gripping member, which has a trapezoidal cross-section, formed on the inner peripheral edge of the open end side of the flange through-hole, and grips the cylindrical gas separator. A separation membrane module characterized by the following features.

5. It has a gas separator insertion hole corresponding to the flange through hole, and an upper plate and a lower plate that sandwich the flange from above and below, The lower plate presses all of the O-rings into the corresponding O-ring grooves, The upper plate is configured to press all of the gripping members against the corresponding grooves for the gripping members. The separation membrane module according to feature 4.

6. The gripping member is, A gripping member body having a substantially trapezoidal cross-section that fits into the groove for the gripping member, The gripping member body has a protruding contact surface having a curved cross-section that extends outward toward the outer circumference of the cylindrical gas separator. The separation membrane module according to claim 4 or 5.

7. Separation membrane module, It comprises a container having an internal space in which a mixed gas accumulates, The separation membrane module, A flange having multiple flange through holes and closing the upper end of the container, Multiple cylindrical gas separators, each having an open end exposed through the flange through-hole and a gas separation membrane, The system comprises an upper plate and a lower plate that sandwich the flange from above and below, each having bolt insertion holes corresponding to the flange through holes, A method for assembling the separation membrane module in a hydrogen gas separation apparatus in which the flange is covered by a hydrogen gas extraction section from which hydrogen gas is discharged from the open end of the cylindrical gas separator, Insert each cylindrical gas separator into the gas separator insertion hole in the lower plate. The O-ring is inserted and attached from the end side through which the cylindrical gas separator is inserted. The lower plate is fixed in contact with the flange so that the cylindrical gas separator is inserted into the flange through-hole, and the O-ring is made to be in close contact with the O-ring groove on the inner periphery of the flange through-hole. The gripping member is inserted and attached from the end side through which all of the aforementioned cylindrical gas separators are inserted. The upper plate is fixed in contact with the flange so that the cylindrical gas separator is inserted into the gas separator insertion hole of the upper plate, and a gripping member with higher rigidity than the O-ring is brought into close contact with the groove for the gripping member on the inner periphery of the flange through hole. A method for assembling a separation membrane module, characterized by the following:

8. By fastening the lower plate to the flange while the lower plate is in contact with the flange, all O-rings are brought into close contact with the O-ring grooves on the inner periphery of the flange through-holes, and / or By fastening the upper plate to the flange while the upper plate is in contact with the flange, all gripping members are brought into close contact with the gripping member grooves on the inner periphery of the flange through-hole at once. The method for assembling a separation membrane module according to feature 7.

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