Integrated Adsorbent Membrane Gas Separation Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adsorption processes for gas purification are not 100% efficient, leaving contaminants in the effluent stream, necessitating further purification and the need for additional separation technologies to achieve high-purity gas products.
Innovation Solution
The integration of adsorbents and membranes in a gas separation module, where adsorbents are used to capture contaminants and membranes facilitate the separation of product gases, with specific configurations to optimize pressure differential and flow paths for enhanced separation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional adsorption processes are used for gas purification, then the process is simple and cost-effective, but the separation efficiency is insufficient and contaminants remain in the effluent stream
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines adsorption and membrane separation processes into a single integrated module. The adsorbent layer captures contaminants through adsorption, while the membrane layer simultaneously performs selective gas permeation. This merging of two separation mechanisms in one device achieves high-purity gas separation without requiring separate process units, thereby improving reliability while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas separation module uses composite structure with distinct functional layers: an adsorbent layer (e.g., activated carbon, zeolite) for contaminant capture and a membrane layer (e.g., polyimide, cellulose acetate) for selective gas permeation. This composite material approach enables the single device to perform multiple separation functions, achieving high separation efficiency for both contaminant removal and product gas purification.
2Reliability
If membrane separation systems are added to achieve further purification, then the product gas purity is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding a separate membrane system after adsorption, the patent integrates the membrane layer directly within the same module as the adsorbent layer. The feed gas passes through both layers in sequence within a single device, achieving combined adsorption-membrane separation. This integration improves product gas purity while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate units and interconnections.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated module is segmented into functional zones: an adsorbent zone for contaminant capture and a membrane zone for selective gas permeation. Each zone performs its specific separation function, and the segmentation allows optimized design of each layer's thickness and material properties to maximize overall separation efficiency while maintaining a compact single-device structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This integrated approach significantly improves the efficiency of gas separation, ensuring high-purity product gases by effectively adsorbing contaminants and permeating pure gases through membranes, reducing residual contaminants in the effluent.
Implementation Method 1
the inlet zone being coated with an adsorbent... adsorbing contaminants
Implementation Method 2
the outlet zone being coated with a membrane... permeating pure gases through membranes
Data Source
AI summary
Gas separation modules and methods for use including an integrated adsorbent and membrane. In certain refining applications, it is paramount to obtain high purity product gases. Adsorbent beds are effective at removing certain contaminants, such as CO2, from gas streams containing product and contaminant constituents to form a product-rich stream. The integrated membrane permits a further separation of products from any unadsorbed contaminant to produce a high purity product, such as hydrogen, stream. The gas separation modules described herein include stacked, radial, and spiral arrangements. Each modules includes a configuration of feed and cross-flow channels for the collection of contaminant gases and/or high purity product gases.