Membrane, in particular a gas storage membrane

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas storage membranes have a short service life and poor chemical resistance, particularly when exposed to aggressive gases like those found in coke oven gas, leading to gas leakage and mechanical instability.

Innovation Solution

A membrane composed of at least two individual membrane webs connected by a seam construction, with each web featuring an elastomer layer and an outer layer based on PTFE, along with a scrim or fabric layer, providing enhanced chemical resistance and elasticity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a gas barrier layer is added to prevent gas diffusion, then gas tightness is improved, but service life deteriorates due to permanent elongation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas tightnessVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The membrane uses a composite structure combining an elastomer layer with a PTFE-based outer layer. The elastomer provides elasticity and mechanical flexibility, while the PTFE layer provides gas barrier properties. This composite approach allows the membrane to maintain both gas tightness and elastic recovery, solving the contradiction between gas tightness and service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If PTFE layer is connected directly to fabric layer by hot pressing, then load and bending resistance is improved, but gas tightness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload and bending resistanceVSAvoidgas tightness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The membrane combines multiple material layers with complementary properties: the elastomer layer provides gas tightness and elasticity, while the PTFE-based outer layer provides mechanical strength and chemical resistance. The hot-pressed connection between PTFE and fabric layers maintains structural integrity without compromising the gas barrier function of the elastomer layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If membrane is made more impermeable to gases, then gas tightness is improved, but chemical resistance deteriorates when exposed to aggressive gases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas tightnessVSAvoidchemical resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The membrane uses a composite structure where the elastomer layer provides gas tightness through its dense molecular structure, while the PTFE-based outer layer provides chemical resistance to aggressive gases like coke oven gas. The PTFE layer acts as a protective barrier that is chemically inert, preventing degradation from exposure to corrosive gases while the underlying elastomer maintains the gas barrier function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 improved gas tightness, extended service life, and reduced environmental impact, allowing for flexible reaction to varying gas volumes and pressures without mechanical or chemical losses, making it suitable for sealing coke oven gases in gas storage systems.

Implementation Method 1

it is important that the pressure in the gas is maintained. Therefore, such a membrane must be as impermeable as possible to gases

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion barrier: Diffusion Barrier

Implementation Method 2

the membrane often exhibits permanent elongation after prolonged use, since the gas barrier layer does not generally behave elastically like the surrounding elastomer layers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

at least two individual membrane webs which are connected to one another by at least one seam construction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP2414157B1Membrane, in particular a gas storage membrane
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 CONTITECH ELASTOMER-BESCHICHTUNGEN GMBH
  • EP2414157B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2414157B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a membrane, in particular a gas storage membrane, comprising at least two individual membrane webs that are connected to each other by at least one seam construction, wherein each individual membrane web (4, 4') comprises at least one elastomeric layer and at least one outer layer based on PTFE. The invention further relates to a method for producing a membrane of said kind.