Systems and methods for evaluating membranes

Abstract

The present invention discloses a membrane module for separating a fluid mixture,a membrane evaluating system and process for separating a fluid mixture. The systems for evaluating the fluid mixture include the use of a membrane module that is configured to accommodate a plurality of membranes configured for separating a feed flow into a retentate flow and a permeate flow. The process includes the use of such system comprising the membrane module in evaluating membranes for use in separating the fluid mixture.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EVALUATING MEMBRANESCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Indian Provisional Patent Application 202341090217, filed December 30, 2023. The contents of the referenced patent application is incorporated into the present application by reference.FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a membrane module for separating fluid mixtures. The present disclosure also relates to a membrane evaluating system and method that comprises using the membrane evaluating system for evaluating different types of membranes for separating fluid mixtures.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In certain industries, fluid mixtures can be separated by processes such as distillation, membrane separation, or a combination of distillation and membrane separation. Traditionally, for a targeted membrane separation, to identify the right membrane, several commercial membranes have to be evaluated by a method of trial and error. Such trial and error method wastes time and resources. For example, after short- sei ection of a membrane in a lab-scale experiment, several trial runs are then carried out in higher scales of operation to optimize or study the effect of various operating parameters. In sum, there are scale-up problems involved in taking a membrane from lab scale, to bench scale, to pilot scale, and to demo scale.

[0004] Commercially available membrane systems are not equipped to quickly evaluate all the different types of membranes or to monitor or study key process parameters of interest. Further, most of the available membrane systems work for only one particular type of membranes such as one of the tubular membrane, flat-sheet membrane, plate and frame membrane or hollow-fiber membrane or work only for one particular type of a phenomena-based membrane system such as pervaporation, vapor permeation, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration or reverse osmosis.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present disclosure addresses at least some of the above issues identified with currently available membrane systems by providing membrane module, systems and methods that aid scale-up and provide a quick screening of various membrane structure types and phenomena- based membranes whilst tuning the operating parameters to aid optimization of the process conditions and successfully scale-up the membrane operations.

[0006] One of the embodiments of the disclosure includes a membrane module comprising a plurality of membranes configured for separating a feed flow into a retentate flow and a permeate flow, wherein the plurality of membranes are connected in series and / or parallel with each other, wherein the plurality of membranes are coupled to each other with one or more O-rings, and wherein the plurality of membranes are selected from a group consisting of a tubular membrane, a flat-sheet membrane, a plate and frame membrane, a hollow-fiber membrane, or a combination thereof.

[0007] Another embodiment of the disclosure includes a membrane evaluating system comprising, one or more membrane modules for separating a fluid mixture, a pump in fluid communication with an inlet of one of the one or more membrane modules configured to feed the fluid mixture into the one or more membrane modules, one or more instruments comprising one or more sensors configured to sense and / or monitor one or more operating parameters of a permeate flow and / or a retentate flow that flows from one or more membrane modules and, a control module comprising a modeling and simulation platform, wherein each of the one or more membrane modules comprising a plurality of membranes configured for separating a feed flow into the retentate flow and the permeate flow, wherein the plurality of membranes are connected in series and / or parallel with each other, wherein the plurality of membranes are coupled to each other with one or more O-rings, and wherein the plurality of membranes are selected from a group consisting of a tubular membrane, a flat-sheet membrane, a plate and frame membrane, a hollow-fiber membrane, or a combination thereof.

[0008] Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a process for separating a fluid mixture using the membrane evaluating system as disclosed in the above mentioned embodiment, wherein the process comprises, circulating the fluid mixture through one or more membrane modules, sensing and / or monitoring one or more operating parameters of the permeate flow and / or the retentate flow, tuning one or more operating parameters to aid optimization of the process conditions, and separating the fluid mixture into a permeate flow and a retentate flow under said tuned one or more operating parameters, wherein the operating parameters are selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, feed flow rate, pressure, vacuum pressure, temperature, feed concentration, pH, run time, cooling / condenser temperature, pre-heat soaking temperature or a combination thereof.

[0009] The following includes definitions of various terms and phrases used throughout this specification.

[0010] The terms “about” or “approximately” are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In one non-limiting embodiment the terms are defined to be within 10%, preferably, within 5%, more preferably, within 1%, and most preferably, within 0.5%.

[0011] The terms “wt. %”, “vol. %” or “mol. %” refer to a weight, volume, or molar percentage of a component, respectively, based on the total weight, the total volume, or the total moles of material that includes the component. In a non-limiting example, 10 moles of component in 100 moles of the material is 10 mol. % of component.

[0012] The term “substantially” and its variations are defined to include ranges within 10%, within 5%, within 1%, or within 0.5%.

[0013] The terms “inhibiting” or “reducing” or “preventing” or “avoiding” or any variation of these terms, when used in the claims and / or the specification, include any measurable decrease or complete inhibition to achieve a desired result.

[0014] The term “effective,” as that term is used in the specification and / or claims, means adequate to accomplish a desired, expected, or intended result.

[0015] The use of the words “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” or “having” in the claims or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.”

[0016] The words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

[0017] The process of the present invention can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of particular ingredients, components, compositions, etc., disclosed throughout the specification.

[0018] The term “primarily,” as that term is used in the specification and / or claims, means greater than any of 50 wt. %, 50 mol. %, and 50 vol. %. For example, “primarily” may include 50.1 wt. % to 100 wt. % and all values and ranges there between, 50.1 mol. % to 100 mol. % and all values and ranges there between, or 50.1 vol. % to 100 vol. % and all values and ranges there between.

[0019] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following figures, detailed description, and examples. It should be understood, however, that the figures, detailed description, and examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only and are not meant to be limiting. Additionally, it is contemplated that changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. In further embodiments, features from specific embodiments may be combined with features from other embodiments. For example, features from one embodiment may be combined with features from any of the other embodiments. In further embodiments, additional features may be added to the specific embodiments described herein.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] For a more complete understanding, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 A shows a membrane evaluating system for use in separating a fluid mixture, according to embodiments of the disclosure; FIGS. IB to 1G show membrane modules configured according to embodiments of the disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a process for evaluating membranes for use in separating a fluid mixture, according to embodiments of the disclosure;

[0023] FIGS. 3A-3C show results of pervaporation experiments, according to embodiments of the disclosure; and

[0024] FIG. 4A shows an O-ring configured for direct flow and FIG. 4B shows an O-ring configured for elbow flow.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The separation of certain fluids can be so challenging that a combination of different methods need to be used to get acceptable results. For example, multi-stage distillation and multi -effect evaporators are commercially employed for dehydration of diols such as alcohols (separation of diol and water). But this unit operation is a very energy intensive process and has several stages, that is, a plurality of distillation columns are required to effect the separation. To improve the separation process provided by multi-stage distillation, the multi-effect evaporators are operated in combination with membranes. The membrane separation process used in diols- water separation is a very low energy intensive process compared to distillation and utilizes the driving mechanism of permeation as well as evaporation / separation (permeation and evaporationprocess intensification). As noted above, to identify the right membrane, several commercial membranes have to be evaluated by a method of trial and error.

[0026] FIG. I A shows system 10 for evaluating membranes for use in separating a fluid mixture, according to embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 2 shows method 20 for evaluatingmembranes for use in separating a fluid mixture, according to embodiments of the disclosure. In embodiments of the disclosure, method 20 is implemented using system 10.

[0027] FIG. IB to 1G disclose various types of membrane modules that comprises a plurality of membranes configured for separating a feed flow into a retentate flow and a permeate flow. The plurality of membranes are connected in series and / or parallel with each other and are coupled to each other with one or more O-rings. The plurality of membranes are selected from a group consisting of a tubular membrane, a flat-sheet membrane, a plate and frame membrane, a hollow-fiber membrane, or a combination thereof.

[0028] In a further embodiment, a membrane module comprising the plurality of membranes comprising 2 to 25 membranes, preferably 2-20 membranes, preferably 2-15 membranes, more preferably 2-10 membranes or more preferably 2-5.

[0029] In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, a membrane module comprising one or more O-rings are selected from a group consisting of an elbow flow O-ring, a concave O-ring, a convex O-ring, or a combination thereof.

[0030] In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, a membrane module comprising the plurality of membranes that can be selected from a polymeric membrane, a ceramic membrane, a zeolite membrane, a hybrid membrane, or a combination thereof.

[0031] In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, a membrane module comprises a fluid mixture inlet, a first outlet to collect the permeate flow and, a second outlet to collect the retentate flow.

[0032] FIG. IB discloses a membrane module 100, in embodiments of the disclosure, having disposed therein tubular membranes 109 and O-rings 110 for connecting one tubular membrane 109 to another tubular membrane 109. FIG. IB shows membrane module 100 configured for parallel flow. FIG. 1C shows membrane module 100, in embodiments of the disclosure, having disposed therein tubular membranes 109 and O-rings 110 for connecting one tubular membrane 109 to another tubular membrane 109. FIG. 1C shows membrane module 100 configured for series flow. According to embodiments of the disclosure, membrane module 100 can be changed from parallel flow (FIG. IB) to series flow (FIG. 1C) or to series-parallel flow(FIG. IB and FIG. 1C simultaneously) because of O-rings 110. According to embodiments of the disclosure, O-rings 110 are used to change membrane module 100 from parallel flow to series flow or to parallel-series flow. For example, different configurations and / or combinations of O-rings, such as one or more O-rings with direct flow, as shown in FIG. 4A and one or more O-rings with elbow flow, as shown in FIG. 4B (where two or more elbow flow O-rings placed at different angles can achieve parallel flow), and / or one or more connectors can be used to implement the change from parallel flow to series flow or parallel-series flow.

[0033] FIG. ID shows membrane module 100, in embodiments of the disclosure, having disposed therein tubular membranes 109, a flat sheet membrane 112, and a convex shaped O-ring 111 to accommodate cross-flow dynamics (series and parallel) across tubular membranes 109 and flat sheet membrane 112. FIG. ID shows membrane module 100 configured for parallel flow. FIG. IE shows membrane module 100, in embodiments of the disclosure, having disposed therein tubular membranes 109, flat sheet membrane 112, and convex shaped O-ring 111 to accommodate cross-flow dynamics (series and / or parallel) across tubular membranes 109 and flat sheet membrane 112. FIG. IE shows membrane module 100 configured for series flow. According to embodiments of the disclosure, membrane module 100 can accommodate parallel flow (FIG. ID), series flow (FIG. IE), or parallel-series flow (FIG. ID and FIG. IE simultaneously) because of convex shaped O-ring 111. According to embodiments of the disclosure, convex shaped O-ring I l l is used to allow membrane module 100 to accommodate parallel flow, series flow, or parallelseries flow. For example, different configurations and / or combinations of O-rings, such as one or more O-rings with direct flow (as shown in FIG. 4A) and one or more O-rings with elbow flow (as shown in FIG. 4B) (where two or more elbow flow O-rings placed at different angles can achieve parallel flow), and / or one or more connectors can be used to implement the change from parallel flow to series flow or parallel-series flow.

[0034] FIG. IF shows membrane module 100, in embodiments of the disclosure, having disposed therein tubular membranes 109, a hollow fiber membrane module 114, and a concave shaped O-ring 113 to accommodate cross-flow dynamics (series and parallel) across tubular membranes 109 and hollow fiber membrane module 114. FIG. IF shows membrane module 100 configured for parallel flow. FIG. 1G shows membrane module 100, in embodiments of the disclosure, having disposed therein tubular membranes 109, hollow fiber membrane module 114,and concave shaped O-ring 113 to accommodate cross-flow dynamics (series and parallel) across tubular membranes 109 and hollow fiber membrane module 114. FIG. 1G shows membrane module 100 configured for series flow. According to embodiments of the disclosure, membrane module 100 can accommodate parallel flow (FIG. IF), series flow (FIG. 1G), or parallel-series flow (FIG. IF and FIG. 1G simultaneously) because of concave shaped O-ring 113. According to embodiments of the disclosure, concave shaped O-ring 113 is used to allow membrane module 100 to accommodate parallel flow, series flow, or parallel-series flow. For example, different configurations and / or combinations of O-rings, such as one or more O-rings with direct flow (as shown in FIG. 4A and one or more O-rings with elbow flow, as shown in FIG. 4B (where two or more elbow flow O-rings placed at different angles can achieve parallel flow), and / or one or more connectors can be used to implement the change from parallel flow to series flow or parallel-series flow.System for evaluating membranes for use in separating a fluid mixture

[0035] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, discloses a flexible, modular rapid membrane screening set-up that can reach steady state quickly to effectively evaluate and study membrane operations in a cost-effective manner. Embodiments of the disclosure involve a system that can easily accommodate one or more membrane modules. It discloses a membrane evaluating system comprising, one or more membrane modules for separating a fluid mixture, wherein the fluid mixture is a mixture comprising of glycols and water, or monoethylene glycol and water, or diethylene glycol and water, or triethylene glycol and water, or alcohols and water, or methanol and water, or ethanol and water, a pump in fluid communication with an inlet of one of the one or more membrane modules configured to feed the fluid mixture into the one or more membrane modules, one or more instruments comprising one or more sensors configured to sense and / or monitor one or more operating parameters of a permeate flow and / or a retentate flow that flows from one or more membrane modules, and a control module comprising a modeling and simulation platform wherein each of the one or more membrane modules comprises a plurality of membranes configured for separating a feed flow into the retentate flow and the permeate flow, wherein the plurality of membranes are connected in series and / or parallel with each other, wherein the plurality of membranes are coupled to each other with one or more O-rings, and wherein the plurality of membranes are selected from a group consisting ofa tubular membrane, a flat-sheet membrane, a plate and frame membrane, a hollow-fiber membrane, or a combination thereof.

[0036] FIG. 1 A shows a membrane evaluating system 10 for evaluating membranes for use in separating a fluid mixture, according to embodiments of the disclosure. In embodiments of the disclosure, system 10 comprises a membrane module 100. System 10 further comprises a pump 103 in fluid communication with an inlet of membrane module 100. Pump 103, in embodiments of the disclosure, is configured to pump a fluid mixture 102 into membrane module 100. Membrane module 100 is configured to separate fluid mixture 102 into permeate105 and retentate 106. It should be noted that the fluid separated in embodiments of the disclosure can be a liquid, gas, or a combination of both. System 10 also includes, in embodiments of the disclosure, equipment, including a one or more instruments (108), which are configured to sense / monitor one or more parameters of permeate flow 105 and / or retentate flow106 that flows from membrane module 100 and a control module (107) comprising a modeling and simulation platform.

[0037] In embodiments of the disclosure, the membrane evaluating system 10 comprises a membrane module 100. System 10 further comprises a pump 103 in fluid communication with an inlet of membrane module 100. Pump 103, in embodiments of the disclosure, is configured to pump a fluid mixture 102 into membrane module 100. Membrane module 100 is configured to separate fluid mixture 102 into permeate 105 and retentate 106. According to embodiments of the disclosure, fluid mixture 102 is a mixture of a diol (e.g., alcohol) and water. Permeate 105 has a higher concentration of diol than fluid mixture 102 and retentate 106 has a lower concentration of diol than fluid mixture 102. It should be noted that the fluid separated in embodiments of the disclosure can be a liquid, gas, or a combination of both. System 10 also includes, in embodiments of the disclosure, equipment, including one or more instruments (108), which are configured to sense / monitor one or more parameters of permeate flow 105 and / or retentate flow 106 that flows from membrane module 100 and a control module (107) comprising a modeling and simulation platform.

[0038] Membrane evaluating system 10 includes, in embodiments of the disclosure, equipment, such as one or more instruments 108 for measuring operating parameters of amembrane being evaluated. The operating parameters include but not limited to, feed flow rate, pressure, vacuum pressure, temperature, feed concentration, pH, run time, cooling / condenser temperature, pre-heat soaking temperature or a combination thereof. In embodiments of the disclosure, one or more sensors of one or more instruments 108 is in electronic communication with control module 107, which comprises an automated modeling and simulation platform. According to embodiments of the disclosure, system 10 is configured to transmit values of the monitored parameters of permeate 105 and / or retentate 106 to the automated modeling and simulation platform. System 10 also includes a feed vessel 101 for storing fluid mixture 102 and a retentate vessel 104 for storing retentate 106, in embodiments of the disclosure.

[0039] According to embodiments of the disclosure, one or more sensors of one or more instruments 108 are configured to measure each of the operating parameters and the equipment is configured such that measurements from one or more sensors of one or more instruments 108 are transmitted to the automated modeling and simulation platform. The automated modeling and simulation platform, in embodiments of the disclosure, comprises one or more of the following: Aspen Custom Modeling, GAMS, JMP, and Origin. The automated modeling and simulation platform is configured to auto-change operating parameters of the membrane module based on a model predicted output, in embodiments of the disclosure. The automated modeling and simulation platform, in embodiments of the disclosure, is configured to identify the optimum operating parameters for a particular membrane being evaluated and can calculate scale-up parameters.

[0040] Membrane module 100 is configured to accommodate each of the following types of membranes for evaluation: a tubular membrane, a flat-sheet membrane, a plate and frame membrane, a hollow-fiber membrane, or a combination thereof. Membrane module 100, according to embodiments of the disclosure, has adaptable and changeable slots of tubular, a flat-sheet membrane, a plate and frame membrane, a hollow-fiber membrane configurations with O-rings adapted to be arranged in series and / or parallel. FIGS. IB to 1G show membrane modules adapted according to embodiments of the disclosure. In FIGS. IB to 1G, according to embodiments of the disclosure, O-rings are made flexible and can be adapted in this skid configuration in such a way that allows for membrane cross-flow to happen. Cross-flow dynamics are achieved when the flow inside selected modules are in the tubular regime and different series-parallel combinations can be achieved. Embodiments of the present disclosureallow for testing various series-parallel network combinations by accommodating different membrane configurations. The different combinations can be studied simultaneously by recording flux vs. time history, which helps in screening of membranes for a particular application, accommodating combinations of membrane configuration (e.g., hollow fiber, tubular, flat-sheet, a plate and frame) as well as which series-parallel network combination achieves the maximal flux and / or optimal steady state (wherein the higher flux achieved is maintained over time). The skid design, according to embodiments of the disclosure, allows changing multiple configurations of membranes in different series-parallel arrangements. This helps in achieving cross-flow dynamics across the membrane modules wherein a controlled flow-regime (laminar, intermittent and turbulent regimes) can be achieved in selected membrane tubes / modules. According to embodiments of the disclosure, the best optimal configuration with best series-parallel scheme, flow conditions, and tuning operating parameters for a particular membrane application can be arrived at with minimal trials and design of experiments with tool interfaces of Minitab, JMP, which can be integrated with the membrane skid. This enables easy scale-up from lab to commercial trials by arriving at the best scheme, configuration, and operating conditions desired for a particular membrane application wherein both flux (CAPEX) and permeate purity (product purity, OPEX / energy savings) are achieved.Method for evaluating membranes for use in separating a fluid mixture

[0041] According to embodiments of the disclosure and as depicted in FIG. 2, method 20 comprises, at block 200, circulating fluid mixture 102 to membrane module 100, which is configured to accommodate each of the following types of membranes for evaluation: tubular, flat-sheet, plate and frame, hollow-fiber , polymeric, zeolite, hybrid, ceramic, nanofiltration based, ultra-filtration based, pervaporation based, vapor permeation based, and reverse osmosis based, wherein membrane module 100 has disposed therein one of the types of membranes.

[0042] At block 201, in embodiments of the disclosure, method 20 includes sensing / monitoring parameters of permeate and / or retentate that flows from membrane module 100. According to embodiments of the disclosure, method 20 includes, at block 202, measuring operating parameters of membrane module 100, for example by one or more sensors of one ormore instruments 108. The measured operating parameters, in embodiments of the disclosure, are selected from the list consisting of feed flow rate, pressure, vacuum pressure, temperature, feed concentration, pH, run time, cooling / condenser temperature, pre-heat soaking temperature or a combination thereof..

[0043] At block 203 of method 20, in embodiments of the disclosure, values of the measured operating parameters and values of the monitored parameters are transmitted to an automated modeling and simulation platform of control module 107. At block 204, in embodiments of the disclosure, scale-up parameters are calculated by the modeling and simulation platform.

[0044] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to blocks of FIG. 2 it should be appreciated that operation of the present invention is not limited to the particular blocks and / or the particular order of the blocks illustrated in FIG. 2. Accordingly, embodiments of the disclosure may provide functionality as described herein using various blocks in a sequence different than that of FIG. 2.

[0045] The systems and processes described herein can also include various equipment that is not shown and is known to one of skill in the art of chemical processing. For example, some controllers, piping, computers, valves, pumps, heaters, thermocouples, pressure indicators, mixers, heat exchangers, and the like may not be shown.

[0046] As part of the present disclosure, specific examples are included below. The examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize parameters that can be changed or modified to yield essentially the same results.EXAMPLEPervaporation experiments in single and multimember setup

[0047] Experiments were run under the following operational conditions:Results

[0048] FIG. 3 A shows results of flux versus time for the pervaporation experiments. FIG. 3B shows results in a graph of total flux versus time (adjusted for temperature) for the pervaporation experiments. FIG. 3C shows results in a graph of total flux versus time (measured) for the pervaporation experiments. From these graphs, it can be seen which combination of membrane modules in series-parallel configuration (especially which configuration) gives maximal flux and wherein optimal steady state is reached (the resultant flux is maintained over time). Higher flux leads to minimizing CAPEX (capital expenses) as lower membrane area is needed to achieve the separation and additionally maintain the flux over time - achieving optimal steady state ensures membrane lifetime is increased.

[0049] In the context of the present invention, at least the following embodiments are described. Embodiment 1 relates to a membrane module that is configured to (1) accommodate the plurality of the following types of membranes. Embodiment 2 includes a system for evaluating membranes for use in separating a fluid mixture. The system includes amembrane module that is configured to (1) accommodate each of the following types of membranes and (2) to simultaneously accommodate at least two of the following types of membranes for evaluation: tubular, flat-sheet, hollow-fiber, polymeric, zeolite, hybrid, ceramic, nanofiltration based, ultra-filtration based, pervaporation based, vapor permeation based, and reverse osmosis based. The system further includes a pump in fluid communication with an inlet of the membrane module, the pump configured to pump the fluid mixture into the membrane module. The system still further includes equipment configured to monitor parameters of permeate and / or retentate that flows from the membrane module. Embodiment 2 is the system comprising the embodiment 1, wherein the membrane module has adaptable and changeable slots of tubular, fiber, a plate and frame and / or flatsheet membranes with O-rings such that the slots of tubular, fiber, a plate and frame and flatsheet membranes can be arranged in series or parallel. Embodiment 3 is the system of embodiment 2, wherein the equipment is configured for measuring operating parameters of a membrane being evaluated, the operating parameters including one or more of feed flow rate, pressure drop, vacuum pressure, temperature, cooling / condenser water temperature, feed concentration, pH (feed side), pre-heat soaking temperature, and time of run. Embodiment 4 is the system of any of embodiments 2 to 3, wherein the equipment includes an automated modeling and simulation platform. Embodiment 5 is the system of embodiment 4, wherein the equipment is configured to transmit values of the monitored parameters to the automated modeling and simulation platform. Embodiment 6 is the system of embodiment 4 or embodiment 5, wherein the equipment includes one or more sensors for measuring each of the operating parameters and the equipment is configured such that measurements from the one or more sensors are transmitted to the automated modeling and simulation platform. Embodiment 7 is the system of any of embodiments 4 to 6, wherein the automated modeling and simulation platform includes one or more of the following: Aspen Custom Modeling, GAMS, JMP, and Origin. Embodiment 8 is the system of either of embodiments 4 or 7, wherein the automated modeling and simulation platform is configured to auto-change operating parameters of the membrane module based on a model predicted output. Embodiment 9 is the system of any of embodiments 4 to 8, wherein the automated modeling and simulation platform is configured to identify optimum operating parameters for a membrane being evaluated. Embodiment 10 is the system of any of embodiments 4 to 9, wherein the automated modeling and simulation platform is configured to calculate scale-up parameters.

[0050] Embodiment 11 is a method of evaluating membranes for use in separating a fluid mixture. The method includes circulating the fluid mixture to a membrane module that is configured to accommodate each of the following types of membranes for evaluation: tubular, flat-sheet, hollow-fiber, polymeric, zeolite, hybrid, ceramic, nanofiltration based, ultra-filtration based, pervaporation based, vapor permeation based, and reverse osmosis based, wherein the membrane module has disposed therein one of the types of membranes. The method further includes monitoring parameters of permeate and / or retentate that flows from the membrane module. Embodiment 12 is the method of embodiment 11, further including measuring operating parameters of the membrane module. Embodiment 13 is the method of embodiment 12, wherein the measured operating parameters are a selection from the list consisting of: feed flow rate, pressure drop, vacuum pressure, temperature, cooling / condenser water temperature, feed concentration, pH (feed side), pre-heat soaking temperature, and time of run. Embodiment 14 is the method of embodiment 13, further including transmitting values of the measured operating parameters and values of the monitored parameters to an automated modeling and simulation platform. Embodiment 15 is the method of embodiment 14, further including calculating scale-up parameters by the modeling and simulation platform. Embodiment 16 is the method of any of the embodiments 11-15, wherein one or more membrane modules are configured to perform a separation process selected from the group consisting of pervaporation, vapor permeation, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, or a combination thereof. Embodiment 17 is the method of any of the embodiments 11-15, wherein the fluid mixture is a mixture comprising of glycols and water, or monoethylene glycol and water, or diethylene glycol and water, or triethylene glycol and water, or alcohols and water, or methanol and water, or ethanol and water.

[0051] All embodiments described above and herein can be combined in any manner unless expressly excluded.

[0052] Although embodiments of the present application and their advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means,methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the above disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A membrane module for separating a fluid mixture, comprising; a plurality of membranes configured for separating a feed flow into a retentate flow and a permeate flow; wherein the plurality of membranes are connected in series and / or parallel with each other; wherein the plurality of membranes are coupled to each other with one or more O-rings; and wherein the plurality of membranes are selected from a group consisting of a tubular membrane, a flat-sheet membrane, a plate and frame membrane, a hollow-fiber membrane, or a combination thereof.

2. The membrane module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of membranes comprises 2 to 25 membranes, preferably 2-20 membranes, preferably 2-15 membranes, more preferably 2-10 membranes.

3. The membrane module as claimed in any of the proceeding claims, wherein the one or more O-rings are selected from a group consisting of an elbow flow O-ring, a concave O-ring, a convex O-ring, or a combination thereof.

4. The membrane module as claimed in any of the proceeding claims wherein the plurality of membranes comprises a polymeric membrane, a ceramic membrane, a zeolite membrane, a hybrid membrane, or a combination thereof.

5. The membrane module as claimed in any of the proceeding claims, comprises a fluid mixture inlet, a first outlet to collect the permeate flow, and a second outlet to collect the retentate flow.

6. A membrane evaluating system comprising: one or more membrane modules for separating a fluid mixture; a pump in fluid communication with an inlet of one of the one or more membrane modules configured to feed the fluid mixture into the one or more membrane modules; one or more instruments comprising one or more sensors configured to sense and / or monitor one or more operating parameters of a permeate flow and / or a retentate flow that flows from one or more membrane modules; and a control module comprising a modeling and simulation platform; wherein each of the one or more membrane modules comprises a plurality of membranes configured for separating a feed flow into the retentate flow and the permeate flow; wherein the plurality of membranes are connected in series and / or parallel with each other; wherein the plurality of membranes are coupled to each other with one or more O- rings; and wherein the plurality of membranes are selected from a group consisting of a tubular membrane, a flat-sheet membrane, a plate and frame membrane, a hollow-fiber membrane, or a combination thereof.

7. The membrane evaluating system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plurality of membranes comprises a polymeric membrane, a ceramic membrane, a zeolite membrane, a hybrid membrane, or a combination thereof.

8. The membrane evaluating system as claimed in claim 6-7, wherein the one or more membrane modules comprises 1-10 membrane modules, preferably 1-7 membrane modules and more preferably 1-5 membrane modules.

9. The membrane evaluating system as claimed in claims 6-8, wherein the one or more membrane modules are connected in series and / or parallel with each other.

10. The membrane evaluating system as claimed in claims 6-9, wherein one or more instruments comprising one or more sensors configured to sense and / or monitor one or more operating parameters of the system selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, feed flow rate, pressure, vacuum pressure, temperature, feed concentration, pH, run time, cooling / condenser temperature, pre-heat soaking temperature or a combination thereof.

11. The membrane evaluating system as claimed in claims 6-10, wherein one or more instruments comprising one or more sensors are in electronic communication with the control module.

12. The membrane evaluating system as claimed in claims 6-11, wherein the the control module comprising the modeling and simulation platform configured to collect values of one or more operating parameters.

13. A process for separating a fluid mixture using the membrane evaluating system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the process comprises: circulating the fluid mixture through one or more membrane modules;sensing and / or monitoring one or more operating parameters of the of the permeate flow and / or the retentate flow; tuning one or more operating parameters to aid optimization of the process conditions; and separating the fluid mixture into the permeate flow and the retentate flow under said tuned one or more operating parameters; wherein the operating parameters are selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, feed flow rate, pressure, vacuum pressure, temperature, feed concentration, pH, run time, cooling / condenser temperature, pre-heat soaking temperature or a combination thereof.

14. The process for separating a fluid mixture as claimed in claim 12, wherein one or more membrane modules are configured to perform a separation process selected from the group consisting of pervaporation, vapor permeation, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, or a combination thereof.

15. The process for separating a fluid mixture as claimed in claims 12-13, wherein the fluid mixture is a mixture comprising of glycols and water, or monoethylene glycol and water, or diethylene glycol and water, or triethylene glycol and water, or alcohols and water, or methanol and water, or ethanol and water.

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