Air Separation Module Jacket Manifold Flow Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air separation modules in gas turbine engines face efficiency issues when air temperatures are not maintained sufficiently high, particularly during certain flight conditions, leading to decreased nitrogen generation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The air separation module design includes a jacket manifold that surrounds the canisters to the downstream end, allowing oxygen to flow and provide additional heat for efficient separation of nitrogen and oxygen along the entire length of the canisters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the air separation module operates under warm-up, cruise, or descent flight conditions, then the module structure remains simple, but the temperature is not maintained sufficiently high to generate nitrogen efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the hot oxygen stream that naturally flows through the canisters to heat the incoming air at the inlet end, creating a self-heating mechanism that maintains temperature without external heating systems. This resolves the temperature insufficiency during warm-up and cruise conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-heats the incoming air at the inlet end of the canisters using the hot oxygen stream before the air reaches the downstream end. This preliminary heating action ensures the air is sufficiently hot for efficient nitrogen generation even during low-temperature flight phases.
2Productivity
If the oxygen flow leaves the oxygen manifold at the inlet end of the module, then the structure is simpler, but the downstream end of the canisters lacks sufficient heat for efficient separation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having oxygen leave at the inlet end as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the flow arrangement by collecting oxygen at the downstream end of the canisters. This inversion allows the hot oxygen to flow back through the canisters, providing heat where it is most needed for efficient separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different thermal conditions to different sections of the canisters by directing hot oxygen flow specifically to the downstream end where heat is most needed. This local quality approach ensures efficient separation at the critical downstream region without requiring uniform heating throughout the entire module.
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 configuration ensures more efficient separation of nitrogen and oxygen by maintaining additional heat at the downstream end of the canisters, enhancing the overall efficiency of the separation process.
Implementation Method 1
Hollow fibers are constructed to connect the tube sheets. The hollow fibers are constructed such that oxygen can permeate the fibers and move into the chamber surrounding the fibers.
Implementation Method 2
The canisters extend from an inlet end that receives hot air, such as from a compressor in a gas turbine engine. The hot air passes through the canisters, and the fibers serve to separate nitrogen and oxygen.
Data Source
AI summary
An air separation module has an inlet for receiving a source of air. The inlet communicates with an inlet manifold and the inlet manifold communicates with a plurality of canisters. The canisters are provided with hollow fibers constructed such that oxygen can permeate the fiber and nitrogen passes through the fiber. A jacket manifold surrounds the canisters and the jacket manifold receives oxygen that has permeated the fibers. The canisters extend to a downstream end, and to an outlet. The jacket manifold communicates with a jacket outlet manifold and an outlet for separated oxygen. The outlet for the jacket manifold is at a downstream end of the canisters.