Gas Separation Module With Removable Hollow Fibre Insert
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas separation devices face efficiency deterioration over time, requiring replacement of the entire module, including the housing and membrane, which is inconvenient and costly, especially when access is limited.
Innovation Solution
A gas separation device design where the insert with hollow fibres is temporarily fastened to an end cap, allowing for easy removal and replacement without disturbing the connections to the gas mixture, retentate, and permeate conduits, enabling servicing even in restricted access locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire gas separation module (housing and membrane) is replaced to maintain separation efficiency, then the separation efficiency is maintained, but the maintenance complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gas separation module is divided into separable components: a housing and an insert comprising the hollow fibre membrane bundle. The insert can be removed from the housing by separating the end cap from the body portion, allowing the membrane to be replaced independently without replacing the entire module. This segmentation enables maintenance of separation efficiency while reducing maintenance complexity.
2Reliability
If the entire gas separation module is replaced, then separation efficiency is maintained, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The module is segmented into a housing and a removable insert. The insert can be quickly removed from the housing by separating the end cap, enabling rapid replacement of the membrane without dismantling the entire module. This reduces downtime during maintenance while maintaining separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow fibre membrane bundle is extracted as a separate insert that can be removed from the housing. This extraction allows the membrane to be replaced independently, reducing the time required for maintenance compared to replacing the entire module, while ensuring separation efficiency is maintained.
3Reliability
If the housing and membrane are replaced together, then separation efficiency is maintained, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas separation system is segmented into a reusable housing and a replaceable insert containing the hollow fibre membrane. This allows the expensive membrane to be replaced independently without replacing the housing, reducing maintenance costs while maintaining separation efficiency through regular membrane replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow fibre membrane insert is designed to be discarded and replaced independently when worn, while the housing is recovered and reused. This approach maintains separation efficiency through periodic membrane replacement while significantly reducing maintenance costs compared to replacing the entire module.
4Adaptability or versatility
If access to the device is limited, then installation flexibility is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a housing and a removable insert with the end cap separable from the body portion. This segmentation allows the membrane insert to be accessed and replaced even when the device is installed in locations with limited access, as only the end cap needs to be separated rather than dismantling the entire housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow fibre membrane bundle is extracted as a removable insert that can be accessed independently through the separable end cap. This extraction enables maintenance operations even in restricted access locations, as the insert can be removed without requiring access to the entire housing or complex disassembly procedures.
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
Facilitates efficient replacement of the insert within the device while maintaining intact connections, reducing downtime and maintenance complexity, and allowing for continued operation without full module replacement, thus extending the device's operational life and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of hollow fibres made from a material which is more permeable to the first component of the mixture than it is to the second component of the mixture
Data Source
AI summary
A device for separating components of a gas mixture includes a hollow housing having a body portion at a first end, a separable end cap at a second end, and at least one side wall. The housing has an inlet port for the gas mixture, a permeate outlet port for gas mixture enriched with a first component of the mixture, and a retentate outlet port for gas mixture enriched with a second component of the mixture. An insert within the housing comprises a plurality of hollow fibres of a material which are more permeable to the first component than the second. The housing defines passageways for gas to flow between the inlet port and the permeate and retentate outlet ports. The insert is fastened to the end cap at least temporarily so that the insert is withdrawn from within the housing when the end cap is removed.