Multi-Stage Gas Separation Membrane System for High Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas separation systems with multiple membrane units face challenges in achieving high recovery rates and purity while minimizing membrane area, as using units with high selectivity results in low permeability and increased area requirements, while units with low selectivity reduce recovery rates.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a configuration where the second gas separation membrane unit has higher permeability and the third unit has higher selectivity than the second, allowing for reduced membrane area and maintaining high recovery rates by optimizing the connection and operation of these units within the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a membrane with high gas selectivity is used to recover low-permeability gas, then the recovery rate increases, but the permeability is low requiring increased membrane area or operation pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The gas separation system is divided into multiple stages with different membrane units. The first stage uses a membrane with high permeability for initial separation, while the second stage uses a membrane with high selectivity for final purification. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized for its specific function, achieving high recovery rates without requiring excessively large membrane areas in any single unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Different membrane units are assigned different properties (permeability vs. selectivity) according to their specific position and function in the separation process. The first membrane unit is designed with high permeability characteristics suitable for bulk gas separation, while the second membrane unit is designed with high selectivity characteristics suitable for final gas purification. This local optimization of membrane properties resolves the contradiction between recovery rate and membrane area.
2Area of stationary object
If a membrane with high gas permeability is used, then the membrane area and operation pressure can be reduced, but the gas selectivity is low reducing the recovery rate
Solution Approach 1:
The separation process is segmented into two stages, each using membranes with different properties. The first stage membrane prioritizes high permeability to reduce membrane area requirements, while the second stage membrane prioritizes high selectivity to maintain recovery rate. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both reduced membrane area and high recovery rate by distributing different functional requirements across separate units.
3Productivity
If multiple stages of gas separation membrane units are employed to recover low-permeability gas with high purity and recovery rate, then the separation performance improves, but the system complexity and total membrane area increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each membrane unit in the multi-stage system is designed with specific local qualities (permeability or selectivity) matched to its functional requirements. This targeted design allows the system to achieve high separation performance with a reasonable number of stages, avoiding unnecessary complexity while maintaining optimal separation efficiency at each stage.
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 reduces the total membrane area and initial costs while maintaining high recovery rates and purity, achieving economic efficiency and space savings.
Implementation Method 1
The membrane separation method, which employs the difference in gas permeability with respect to a membrane, is known as a method for separating a gas mixture including at least two different gas species into the respective gases
Implementation Method 2
a gas separation membrane module wherein the gas separation membrane having gas permselectivity is housed inside a container
Data Source
AI summary
In a gas separation system, a retentate gas discharge port of a first unit U1 and a gas inlet port of a second unit U2 are connected by a retentate gas discharge line. A permeate gas discharge port of U1 and a gas inlet port of a third unit U3 are connected by a permeate gas discharge line. A feed gas mixture supply line is connected to a gas inlet port of U1. A permeate gas discharge port of U2 and the feed gas mixture supply line are connected by a permeate gas return line. A retentate gas discharge port of U3 and the feed gas mixture supply line are connected by a retentate gas return line. At least in operation, the gas permeability of U2 is higher than that of U3, and the gas selectivity of U3 is higher than that of U2.