Gas Separation Membrane Module With Controlled Pore Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas separation membrane modules face issues with defects and deteriorated separation performance due to thinning the channel material, leading to impaired winding stability and loading properties into pressure vessels.
Innovation Solution
The gas separation membrane module design includes separation membranes with specific pore sizes and channel materials bonded in a manner that distributes stress, using materials with controlled breaking tensions and thicknesses to enhance winding stability and loading properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the thickness of the channel material is decreased to increase the filling amount of the separation membrane, then the filling amount increases, but the channel material is broken or wrinkles are generated during winding
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pore size parameter of the channel material to 0.95 μm or less, which fundamentally alters the material's mechanical properties. This parameter change enables the channel material to maintain sufficient strength and flexibility for stable winding while still allowing gas permeation, thus resolving the contradiction between increasing membrane filling amount and maintaining winding stability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite channel materials with specific pore structures that combine the properties of mechanical strength and flexibility. These composite materials can be wound stably around the center pipe while maintaining structural integrity, enabling higher membrane filling amounts without channel material breakage or wrinkling
2Quantity of substance
If the thickness of the channel material is decreased to increase the filling amount of the separation membrane, then the filling amount increases, but fine defects occur due to stress when loaded in a pressure vessel
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the pore size parameter to 0.95 μm or less, the channel material develops enhanced mechanical properties that enable it to withstand the stress of being loaded into a pressure vessel without generating fine defects. This parameter change maintains material reliability while allowing thinner channel material thickness for higher membrane filling
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies beforehand cushioning by designing channel materials with pre-optimized pore structures that can absorb and distribute stress uniformly during loading. This prevents stress concentration that would otherwise cause fine defects, ensuring reliable operation after pressure vessel loading
3Quantity of substance
If the channel material is simply thinned to increase filling amount, then the filling amount increases, but the channel material function is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pore size parameter to a critical value of 0.95 μm or less, which maintains the channel material's functional properties even at reduced thickness. This parameter optimization ensures that the channel material continues to perform its gas conduction function effectively while allowing for thinner design and higher membrane filling amounts
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 design increases the filling amount of gas separation membranes while improving winding stability and loading properties into pressure vessels, reducing physical damage and maintaining separation performance.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane separation method in which a target gas is selectively permeated using a difference in gas permeability of a material
Implementation Method 2
an average pore size on a front surface and an average pore size on a back surface of the feed channel material are each 0.95 μm or less
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
In order to provide a gas separation membrane module in which loading properties to a pressure vessel and winding stability are enhanced while increasing a filling amount of the gas separation membrane, the gas separation membrane module includes: a center pipe; a plurality of separation membranes each having a feed surface and a permeate surface, the separation membranes being arranged such that the feed surfaces face each other and the permeate surfaces face each other; a feed channel material arranged between the feed surfaces; and a permeate channel material arranged between the permeate surfaces, in which the separation membranes, the feed channel material, and the permeate channel material are wound around the center pipe, an average pore size on a front surface and an average pore size on a back surface of the feed channel material are each 950 µm or less, and an average pore size on a front surface and an average pore size on a back surface of the permeate channel material are each 950 µm or less.