Hollow fiber membrane module

Abstract

Provided is a hollow fiber membrane module with which it is possible to limit manufacturing costs.　The present invention is characterized in that: a case 100 has a first pipe part 111 and a second pipe part 112, and a holding member 210 which holds a plurality of hollow membranes 220 is provided in the case 100; the holding member 210 comprises a first plate part 211 and a second plate part 212 which are provided to as to sandwich the plurality of hollow fiber membranes 220 therebetween, and a connection part 215 which connects the plate parts; and a path from the first pipe part 111 to the first plate part 211 is formed between the first plate part 211 and the case 100, and a path from the second pipe part 112 to the second plate part 212 is formed between the second plate part 212 and the case 100.

Description

Hollow fiber membrane module

[0001] The present invention relates to a hollow fiber membrane module.

[0002] Humidifiers used in fuel cells for automobiles are equipped with hollow fiber membrane modules. In such devices, there is an increasing demand for high-power systems, and the hollow fiber membrane modules tend to become larger. A hollow fiber membrane module according to the prior art will be described with reference to FIG. 7 . FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a hollow fiber membrane module according to the prior art, where FIG. 7(a) is a front view of the hollow fiber membrane module and FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 7(a).

[0003] A hollow fiber membrane module 500 according to the prior art comprises a hollow fiber membrane module main body 510 and a pair of cover members 520, 530 attached to the hollow fiber membrane module main body 510. The hollow fiber membrane module main body 510 comprises a case 511 and a plurality of hollow fiber membranes 512 housed within the case 511. The case 511 has an interior housing that is open at both ends, and the plurality of hollow fiber membranes 512 are housed within this housing interior. The pair of cover members 520, 530 are provided with openings 521, 531, respectively, which serve as inlets and outlets for fluids. The case 511 also has a plurality of through-holes 511a that communicate the internal spaces of the cover members 520, 530 with the housing interior of the case 511.

[0004] Furthermore, the hollow fiber membrane module body 510 is provided with a pair of seal fixing parts 513, 514 at one end and the other end of the case 511, which seal the gaps between the plurality of hollow fiber membranes 512 while leaving the hollow interiors of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes 512 open. The annular gaps between the inner peripheral surface of the case 511 and the pair of seal fixing parts 513, 514 are sealed with liquid gaskets.

[0005] In the hollow fiber membrane module 500 configured as described above, for example, wet gas is caused to flow from opening 521 to opening 531 so as to pass through the outside of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes 512, and dry gas is caused to flow from the sealing and fixing part 514 side to the sealing and fixing part 513 side so as to pass through the hollow interiors of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes 512, whereby the dry gas is humidified and the wet gas is dried.

[0006] Furthermore, the spaces inside the cover members 520 and 530 ensure passages for the fluid (wet gas in the above example), allowing the fluid to flow throughout the entire interior of the case 511 .

[0007] In this configuration, it is necessary to prevent fluid from leaking to the outside from the space between the case 511 and the cover members 520 and 530. Therefore, gaskets G1 and G2 are provided to seal the gap between the case 511 and the cover member 520 and the gap between the case 511 and the cover member 530, respectively. Here, the case 511 and the cover members 520 and 530 are both molded resin products. In the case of a large hollow fiber membrane module 500, the case 511 and the cover members 520 and 530 also become large. Therefore, in order to obtain the desired sealing performance, additional cutting or other processes must be performed after molding to increase the flatness of the areas of the case 511 and the cover members 520 and 530 where the gaskets G1 and G2 are in close contact. This makes it difficult to reduce manufacturing costs.

[0008] JP 2015-181986 A

[0009] The present invention provides a hollow fiber membrane module that can reduce manufacturing costs.

[0010] The present invention employs the following means to solve the above problems.

[0011] The hollow fiber membrane module of the present invention comprises: a plurality of hollow fiber membranes; a case having openings at both ends and containing the plurality of hollow fiber membranes; and a pair of sealing fasteners at one end and the other end of the case for sealing gaps between the plurality of hollow fiber membranes while leaving the hollow interiors of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes open, wherein the case has: a first piping section that communicates between the inside and outside of the case and serves as a passage for fluid flowing outside the plurality of hollow fiber membranes; and a second piping section that communicates between the inside and outside of the case and serves as a passage for fluid flowing outside the plurality of hollow fiber membranes, on both sides of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes; and a holding member that holds the plurality of hollow fiber membranes is provided within the case, and the holding member comprises: a pair of plate-like sections that are arranged to sandwich the plurality of hollow fiber membranes and have a plurality of through-holes that serve as passages for fluid passing outside the plurality of hollow fiber membranes; a connecting section that connects the pair of plate-like sections; a passage from the first piping section to the first plate-shaped section is formed between a first plate-shaped section of one of the pair of plate-shaped sections and the case, and a passage from the second piping section to the second plate-shaped section is formed between a second plate-shaped section of the other of the pair of plate-shaped sections and the case.

[0012] According to the present invention, since the first piping section and the second piping section are provided in the case, there is no need to provide a gasket or the like, as is the case when a configuration is adopted in which a cover member is attached to the case. Furthermore, since a passage is formed between the case and a pair of plate-like sections provided on a holding member provided inside the case, it is possible to allow fluid to flow throughout the entire area where the multiple hollow fiber membranes are provided.

[0013] The plurality of hollow fiber membranes may be fixed to the holding member by the pair of sealing and fixing portions.

[0014] This makes it possible to prevent the pair of seal fixing portions from moving independently of each other.

[0015] The first plate-shaped portion may be provided with a plurality of first support portions that abut against the inner peripheral surface of the case and maintain the distance between the first plate-shaped portion and the inner peripheral surface of the case, and the second plate-shaped portion may be provided with a plurality of second support portions that abut against the inner peripheral surface of the case and maintain the distance between the second plate-shaped portion and the inner peripheral surface of the case.

[0016] The annular gap between the pair of sealing fasteners and the case may be sealed by a seal made of an elastic material.

[0017] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs.

[0018] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a hollow fiber membrane module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a hollow fiber membrane module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a holding member according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a manufacturing process diagram of a hollow fiber membrane module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a manufacturing process diagram of a hollow fiber membrane module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an application example of a hollow fiber membrane module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a hollow fiber membrane module according to the prior art.

[0019] The following detailed description of the present invention will be given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, although the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions, etc. of the components described in the examples are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified.

[0020] (Example) A hollow fiber membrane module according to an example of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a hollow fiber membrane module according to an example of the present invention, where Figure 1(a) is a front view of the hollow fiber membrane module and Figure 1(b) is a plan view of the hollow fiber membrane module. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a hollow fiber membrane module according to an example of the present invention, where Figure 2(a) is a side view of the hollow fiber membrane module and Figure 2(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along A1-A1 in Figure 1(a) (a cross-sectional view taken along A2-A2 in Figure 1(b)). Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a holding member according to an example of the present invention, where Figure 3(a) is a front view of the holding member, Figure 3(b) is a plan view of the holding member, and Figure 3(c) is a side view of the holding member. Figures 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating the manufacturing process of a hollow fiber membrane module according to an example of the present invention. 4(a) is a front view of an intermediate product during the manufacturing process, and FIGS. 4(b), 4(c) and 5 are partial cross-sectional views of the intermediate product during the manufacturing process (corresponding to the A1-A1 cross-sectional view in FIG. 1(a) (the A2-A2 cross-sectional view in FIG. 1(b))).

[0021] <Hollow Fiber Membrane Module> The hollow fiber membrane module 10 according to this embodiment includes a case 100 and a hollow fiber membrane unit 200 housed in the case 100. The case 100 includes a cylindrical case body 110 and a pair of pipes (hereinafter referred to as a first pipe section 111 and a second pipe section 112) provided in the case body 110. The case 100 is a resin molded product obtained using a mold, and the case body 110, the first pipe section 111, and the second pipe section 112 are integrally configured. The case body 110 is open at both ends, and its interior serves as a housing interior for housing a plurality of hollow fiber membranes 220. The case body 110 according to this embodiment is composed of a pair of flat plate-shaped portions and a pair of curved portions connecting the two sides of the flat plate-shaped portions, and has an oval shape when viewed from the front.

[0022] The first piping section 111 and the second piping section 112 communicate between the outside of the case 100 and the inside of the case main body 110, and form a passage for fluid flowing outside the plurality of hollow fiber membranes 220. Furthermore, the first piping section 111 and the second piping section 112 are provided on the outer walls of a pair of flat plate-shaped sections of the case main body 110, respectively. As described above, the first piping section 111 and the second piping section 112, which communicate between the inside and outside of the case and serve as passages for fluid flowing outside the plurality of hollow fiber membranes 220, are provided on both sides of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes 220.

[0023] The hollow fiber membrane unit 200 includes a holding member 210, a plurality of hollow fiber membranes 220 held by the holding member 210, and a pair of sealing and fixing parts 231, 232. The pair of sealing and fixing parts 231, 232 are configured to seal the gaps between the plurality of hollow fiber membranes 220 at one end and the other end of the case 100 while leaving the hollow interiors of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes 220 open. Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) can be suitably used as the material for the hollow fiber membranes 220, and epoxy resin can be suitably used as the material for the sealing and fixing parts 231, 232.

[0024] The holding member 210 may be made of a resin material. The holding member 210 includes a pair of plate-shaped portions (hereinafter referred to as the first plate-shaped portion 211 and the second plate-shaped portion 212) that sandwich the plurality of hollow fiber membranes 220, and a connecting portion 215 that connects the first plate-shaped portion 211 and the second plate-shaped portion 212. The first plate-shaped portion 211 and the second plate-shaped portion 212 are provided with a plurality of through-holes 211a, 212a that serve as passages for fluid passing outside the plurality of hollow fiber membranes 220. The first plate-shaped portion 211 and the second plate-shaped portion 212 are configured to face a pair of flat plate-shaped portions of the case body 110 when the holding member 210 is housed inside the case (inside the case body 110). This forms a passage from the first piping portion 111 to the first plate-shaped portion 211 between the first plate-shaped portion 211 and the case 100 (case body 110). Similarly, a passage is formed between the second plate-shaped portion 212 and the case 100, from the second piping portion 112 to the second plate-shaped portion 212. This passage allows fluid to flow throughout the plurality of hollow fiber membranes 220 housed between the pair of plate-shaped portions 211, 212.

[0025] Furthermore, the first plate-shaped portion 211 is provided with a plurality of pin-shaped first support portions 213 that abut against the inner peripheral surface of the case 100 (case main body 110) and maintain the distance between the first plate-shaped portion 211 and the inner peripheral surface of the case 100. Similarly, the second plate-shaped portion 212 is provided with a plurality of pin-shaped second support portions 214 that abut against the inner peripheral surface of the case 100 and maintain the distance between the second plate-shaped portion 212 and the inner peripheral surface of the case 100. This suppresses deformation of the first plate-shaped portion 211 and the second plate-shaped portion 212, and ensures a stable gap between the pair of flat plate-shaped portions of the case main body 110 and the pair of plate-shaped portions (the first plate-shaped portion 211 and the second plate-shaped portion 212).

[0026] <Method for manufacturing hollow fiber membrane module> The method for manufacturing the hollow fiber membrane module 10 will be described in the order of the manufacturing steps. First, the holding member 210 is inserted into the interior of the case 100 (case body 110). Then, a plurality of hollow fiber membranes 220 are filled between the first plate-shaped portion 211 and the second plate-shaped portion 212, on both sides of the connecting portion 215. Figure 4(a) shows the state after a plurality of hollow fiber membranes 220 have been filled. Next, seal fixing portions 231, 232 are formed. While Figures 4 and 5 show the process for forming the seal fixing portion 232, the same applies to the seal fixing portion 231.

[0027] First, a jig 400 for filling a liquid potting material such as epoxy resin is attached to the end of the case body 110. In this state, the liquid potting material 232a is filled (see FIG. 4(b)). The liquid potting material 232a may be poured through an injection port provided in the jig 400, or may be poured through a tube or the like in the first piping section 111. Furthermore, by applying centrifugal force or the like from the time the liquid potting material 232a is poured until the potting material 232a hardens, the liquid level of the potting material 232a can be maintained at a predetermined position.

[0028] After the potting material 232a has hardened, the jig 400 is removed (see FIG. 4(c)). Then, a portion of the hardened potting material 232a is cut off along with a portion of the tip ends of the hollow fiber membranes 220. The dashed-dotted line C in FIG. 4(c) indicates the cut surface. As a result, the hollow interiors of the hollow fiber membranes 220 are opened, while the gaps between the hollow fiber membranes 220 are sealed. This results in the formation of a sealing and fixing portion 232 (see FIG. 5(a)). Note that in this embodiment, both ends of the holding member 210 are configured to have a complex structure. This allows the sealing and fixing portion 232 to be hooked onto the end of the holding member 210 even if forces act on the hardened sealing and fixing portion 232 in various directions. For example, as shown in FIG. 5(a), a portion of the sealing and fixing portion 232 is present on the end face side and the interior side of the case 100 via the portions of the end of the holding member 210 that protrude upward and downward in the figure. Therefore, the sealing and fixing portion 232 does not shift in the left-right direction in the figure relative to the holding member 210. Therefore, the sealing and fixing portion 232 does not come off the holding member 210.

[0029] After the sealing and fixing portion 232 is formed, the adhesive portion between the case body 110 and the sealing and fixing portion 232 is peeled off. For example, the intermediate product after the sealing and fixing portion 232 is provided can be placed in a constant temperature bath and heated for a predetermined period of time to peel off the adhesive portion between the case body 110 and the sealing and fixing portion 232. Thereafter, a liquid gasket 310 such as a silicone adhesive is injected into the annular gap between the case body 110 and the sealing and fixing portion 232 (see FIG. 5B). As the liquid gasket 310 hardens, the annular gap between the case body 110 and the sealing and fixing portion 232 is sealed. In other words, the annular gap between the sealing and fixing portion 232 and the case 100 (case body 110) is sealed by the hardened liquid gasket 310 (a sealing portion made of an elastic material).

[0030] Here, we will briefly explain why the adhesive portion between the case body 110 and the seal fixing portion 232 is peeled off and the annular gap therebetween is sealed with the liquid gasket 310. Because the case body 110 and the seal fixing portion 232 have different linear expansion coefficients, a force that peels the case body 110 and the seal fixing portion 232 away from each other is generated depending on the ambient temperature. As a result, there is a risk that the adhesive portion between the case body 110 and the seal fixing portion 232 will peel off over time. In particular, when the hollow fiber membrane module 10 is large, the difference in linear expansion coefficients cannot be ignored. Therefore, in this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the adhesive portion between the case body 110 and the seal fixing portion 232 is peeled off and the annular gap therebetween is sealed with the liquid gasket 310, which remains elastically deformable even after hardening.

[0031] <Application Examples of the Hollow Fiber Membrane Module> An application example of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 according to this embodiment will be described. The hollow fiber membrane module 10 according to this embodiment can be used as a humidifier or a dehumidifier. This will be briefly described.

[0032] The hollow fiber membrane module 10 includes an intra-membrane flow path that passes through the interior of the hollow fiber membranes 220 and an extra-membrane flow path that passes outside the hollow fiber membranes 220. For example, the intra-membrane flow path is configured so that dry gas flows from one end of the case 100 through the hollow interiors of the hollow fiber membranes 220 to the other end of the case 100 (see the solid arrow in FIG. 2(b)). Furthermore, for example, the extra-membrane flow path is configured so that wet gas, which has a higher humidity than the dry gas, flows from the first piping section 111 through the interior of the case 100 to the second piping section 112 (see the dotted arrow in FIG. 2(b)).

[0033] Although not specifically shown, lids equipped with inlets and outlets for allowing fluid to flow through the intra-membrane flow paths are attached to both ends of the case 100. These lids more reliably suppress movement of the hollow fiber membrane unit 200 relative to the case 100.

[0034] With the above configuration, the membrane separation action of the hollow fiber membrane causes moisture in the wet gas to move into the dry gas, thus humidifying the dry gas and dehumidifying the wet gas, making the device usable as both a humidifier and a dehumidifier.

[0035] The hollow fiber membrane module 10 according to this embodiment can be suitably used as a humidifier for humidifying an electrolyte membrane included in a fuel cell 50. A configuration in which the hollow fiber membrane module 10 is used as such a humidifier will be described with reference to FIG. 6 . As shown in the figure, dry air is sent to the intra-membrane flow path of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 by a compressor 60 (see arrow R1). As described above, the dry air flowing through the intra-membrane flow path is humidified and discharged from the hollow fiber membrane module 10. This humidified wet air is sent to the fuel cell 50 (see arrow R2). This keeps the electrolyte membrane included in the fuel cell 50 moist. The wet air generated within the fuel cell 50 is then sent to the extra-membrane flow path of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 (see arrow R3), and the dry air dehumidified by the membrane separation action of the hollow fiber membrane is discharged from the hollow fiber membrane module 10 (see arrow R4). Although the temperature of the moist air generated in the fuel cell 50 is high, the temperature of the dry air sent from the compressor 60 is low, and therefore the temperature of the moist air discharged from the hollow fiber membrane module 10 is low. In this way, the hollow fiber membrane module 10 also exhibits a heat exchange function.

[0036] <Advantages of the hollow fiber membrane module according to this embodiment> According to the hollow fiber membrane module 10 according to this embodiment, the case 100 is provided with a first piping section 111 and a second piping section 112. Therefore, there is no need to provide a gasket or the like, as is the case when a configuration is adopted in which a cover member is attached to the case. This not only eliminates the need for bolts or the like for fastening the gasket and the case to the cover member, reducing the number of parts, but also obviates the need for processing to improve the flatness of the portion of the molded product with which the gasket comes into close contact. Therefore, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs.

[0037] Furthermore, a passage is formed between the case 100 and a pair of plate-like portions (first plate-like portion 211 and second plate-like portion 212) provided on the holding member 210 provided inside the case 100, so that the fluid can flow throughout the entire area provided with the plurality of hollow fiber membranes 220. Therefore, the humidification efficiency and dehumidification efficiency can also be improved.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the plurality of hollow fiber membranes 220 are fixed to the holding member 210 by a pair of sealing and fixing portions 231, 232. This makes it possible to prevent the pair of sealing and fixing portions 231, 232 from moving independently. Therefore, the hollow fiber membranes 220 are prevented from being pulled or crushed, and the load on the hollow fiber membranes 220 can be reduced.

[0039] (Other) In the above-described holding member 210, it is also preferable to provide a hollow portion 215a inside the connecting portion 215, thereby connecting the passage between the first plate-shaped portion 211 and the case body 110 and the passage between the second plate-shaped portion 212 and the case body 110. By adopting such a configuration, a passage is formed that leads directly from the first piping portion 111 to the second piping portion 112 without passing through the area filled with multiple hollow fiber membranes 220. This reduces pressure loss and the load on the hollow fiber membranes 220, for example, when flowing wet gas from the first piping portion 111 to the second piping portion 112. Of course, depending on the usage conditions, the hollow portion 215a may not necessarily be provided. In the above-described embodiment, the hollow fiber membrane module 10 was described as being used as a humidifier or dehumidifier. However, the hollow fiber membrane module of the present invention may also be used in other applications, such as filtration devices (e.g., devices that perform crossflow filtration).

[0040] 10: Hollow fiber membrane module 100: Case 110: Case body 111: First piping section 112: Second piping section 200: Hollow fiber membrane unit 210: Holding member 211: First plate-shaped section 212: Second plate-shaped section 211a, 212a: Through-hole 213: First support section 214: Second support section 215: Connecting section 215a: Cavity section 220: Hollow fiber membrane 231, 232: Sealing and fixing section 232a: Potting material 310: Liquid gasket 400: Jig

Claims

1. A plurality of hollow fiber membranes; a case having both ends open and containing the plurality of hollow fiber membranes; a pair of sealing and fixing parts at one end and the other end of the case, which seal the gaps between the plurality of hollow fiber membranes while leaving the hollow interiors of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes open; A hollow fiber membrane module comprising: The case is a first piping section that communicates the inside and outside of the case and serves as a passage for a fluid flowing outside the plurality of hollow fiber membranes; and second piping sections that communicate the inside and outside of the case and serve as passages for fluids flowing outside the hollow fiber membranes, on both sides of the hollow fiber membranes, a holding member that holds the plurality of hollow fiber membranes is provided within the case, The holding member is a pair of plate-like portions disposed so as to sandwich the plurality of hollow fiber membranes and having a plurality of through holes serving as passages for fluid passing outside the plurality of hollow fiber membranes; a connecting portion that connects the pair of plate-shaped portions; Equipped with The plurality of hollow fiber membranes are sandwiched between the pair of plate-like portions and arranged on both sides of the connecting portion, a passageway from a first piping section to the first plate-like section is formed between a first plate-like section that is one of the pair of plate-like sections and the case, and a passageway from a second piping section to the second plate-like section is formed between a second plate-like section that is the other of the pair of plate-like sections and the case, a hollow fiber membrane module characterized in that

2. 2. The hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of hollow fiber membranes are fixed to the holding member by the pair of sealing fixing parts.

3. the first plate-shaped portion is provided with a plurality of first support portions that abut against the inner peripheral surface of the case and maintain a gap between the first plate-shaped portion and the inner peripheral surface of the case; The second plate-shaped portion abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the case, and the second plate-shaped portion and the inner peripheral surface of the case 3. The hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of second support parts for maintaining a distance between the first support part and the second support part.

4. 3. The hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 1, wherein an annular gap between the pair of sealing fixing parts and the case is sealed by a seal part made of an elastic material.