Alkali Metal-Modified Hydrophilic Membrane for Steam Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steam permselective membranes have limitations in steam permeation rate and selectivity, especially in the presence of other gases like CO2.
Innovation Solution
A steam permselective membrane with a gel-like hydrophilic polymer layer containing a crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol-polyacrylic acid salt copolymer and an alkali metal compound, such as cesium, potassium, or rubidium, which forms a three-dimensional network structure, enhancing steam permeation and selectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional separating membrane with gel layer is used, then steam separation is achieved, but the permeation rate of steam is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the gel layer by incorporating specific alkali metal compounds (cesium, potassium, or rubidium compounds) into the polyvinyl alcohol-polyacrylic acid copolymer gel. This compositional parameter change enhances both the permeation rate and selectivity of steam, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability in steam separation.
2Reliability
If a conventional separating membrane is used, then steam separation is achieved, but the selectivity to permeate steam selectively in the co-presence of other gases such as CO2 is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition of the gel layer by adding alkali metal compounds, which changes the interaction parameters between the membrane and gas molecules. This enables selective permeation of steam over CO2 and other gases while maintaining high permeation rates, thus resolving the selectivity-productivity contradiction.
3Temperature
If an inorganic membrane is used, then high temperature resistance is achieved, but molding processing becomes difficult and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite gel membrane system combining polyvinyl alcohol-polyacrylic acid copolymer with alkali metal compounds. This organic composite material achieves high temperature resistance comparable to inorganic membranes while maintaining the ease of molding and lower cost advantages of organic materials, thus resolving the contradiction between temperature resistance and manufacturability.
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
The membrane achieves high steam permeation rate and selectivity, even at high temperatures, with easy molding processing and lower costs compared to inorganic membranes, making it suitable for separating steam from mixed gases containing CO2.
Implementation Method 1
a steam permselective membrane which comprises a gel-like hydrophilic polymer layer containing a crosslinked hydrophilic polymer
Implementation Method 2
at least one kind of alkali metal compound selected from the group consisting of a cesium compound, a potassium compound and a rubidium compound
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
A steam permselective membrane containing a crosslinked hydrophilic polymer is provided. The steam permselective membrane may further contain at least one alkali metal compound selected from the group consisting of a cesium compound, a potassium compound and a rubidium compound.