Gas Exchange System Concentration Zone Scalability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas exchange systems using membrane cartridges face scalability issues due to inefficient gas transfer when the volume of gas and solvent exceeds reasonable cartridge sizes, leading to reduced efficiency and increased weight with multi-cartridge arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A gas exchange system with a concentration zone that directs the solvent flow to be proximate to the hollow membranes within cartridges, ensuring efficient gas transfer by maintaining a confined flow path and utilizing baffle plates to separate the solvent flow from the outlet, thereby enhancing scalability without size limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of stationary object
If multiple membranes are placed into a single module to reduce cartridge weight, then the weight of steel casing is reduced, but the efficiency of gas transfer is substantially reduced due to membranes outside the flow path being subject to low or no flow conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a concentration zone that redirects solvent flow into a different spatial dimension - specifically, directing flow from the inlet chamber through the concentration zone and along the external surface of membranes in a radial or axial path, ensuring all membranes receive adequate solvent flow regardless of their position in the module
Solution Approach 2:
The concentration zone acts as an intermediary structure between the solvent inlet and the membranes. It receives solvent from the inlet chamber and distributes it along the membrane surfaces, ensuring uniform flow distribution across all membranes in the module, thereby maintaining high gas transfer efficiency
2Productivity
If the volume of gas and solvent is increased to meet larger application requirements, then the processing capacity is improved, but the cartridge size becomes unreasonably large and scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple membranes into a single module while maintaining efficient flow distribution through the concentration zone design. This allows the system to handle larger gas and solvent volumes by increasing membrane surface area within a compact configuration, improving processing capacity without proportionally increasing cartridge size
Solution Approach 2:
By redirecting solvent flow through the concentration zone to contact membranes in an optimized flow path, the system maximizes the effective use of membrane surface area. This allows higher processing capacities to be achieved within smaller cartridge volumes compared to conventional parallel cartridge arrangements
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 allows for improved scalability and efficient gas transfer, maximizing membrane utilization and reducing the weight of the system, enabling larger regeneration plants without efficiency loss.
Implementation Method 1
a gas permeable, liquid impermeable, hollow membrane
Implementation Method 2
gas permeable/liquid impermeable hollow membrane
Implementation Method 3
The acidic gas then permeates through the membrane to be absorbed by the solvent
Implementation Method 4
the steam strips the acidic gas from the solvent, which subsequently passes into the membrane and exits the cartridge with the condensed steam
Data Source
AI summary
A gas exchange system, said system comprising: a plurality of cartridges, each having a casing, said casing having a cartridge inlet adjacent to a first end and a cartridge outlet adjacent to an opposed second end; each casing having a bore in which is placed a gas permeable, liquid impermeable, hollow membrane; each hollow membrane having a membrane inlet arranged to receive a gas from an inlet chamber and a membrane outlet for venting said gas; each cartridge inlet in communication with a concentration zone, and arranged to receive a solvent from said concentration zone, so as to exit said solvent through said cartridge outlet; wherein said bore is arranged to flow said solvent adjacent to said hollow membrane so as to permit the exchange of gas through said gas permeable, liquid impermeable membrane.