Hollow Fiber Degassing Module for Stable Chemical Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chemical analyzers face challenges in maintaining high measurement accuracy due to air bubbles in reverse osmosis water, which require efficient dissolved gas removal methods, while existing hollow fiber degassing modules suffer from performance degradation and bacterial proliferation over time.
Innovation Solution
A chemical analyzer equipped with a hollow fiber degassing module featuring a housing, hollow fiber membrane, and heating units to maintain temperature and depressurize internal spaces, ensuring compact design, low pressure loss, and effective gas removal with reduced bacterial growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a hollow fiber degassing module is continuously used for a long period to remove dissolved gas, then degassing performance is improved, but volatilized water accumulates in the vacuum portion and performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic heating cycles of the hollow fiber membrane to evaporate and remove accumulated volatilized water. The heating element is activated periodically to raise the temperature of the membrane and surrounding vacuum portion, causing water vapor to evaporate and be removed through the vacuum pump, thereby preventing performance deterioration over extended operation periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the hollow fiber membrane by introducing a heating element that can raise the membrane temperature to a level above the ambient temperature. This parameter change enables the evaporation of accumulated water vapor from the vacuum portion, effectively removing the harmful accumulation that would otherwise degrade performance over time.
2Productivity
If a hollow fiber degassing module is continuously used for a long period, then gas removal efficiency is improved, but bacteria proliferate and cause performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic heating cycles that create thermal stress and environmental changes unfavorable for bacterial survival. The repeated heating and cooling cycles, combined with the evaporation of water (which reduces moisture available for bacterial growth), creates conditions that suppress bacterial proliferation in the vacuum portion during continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the hollow fiber membrane and surrounding environment to levels that are hostile to bacterial survival. By raising the temperature during heating cycles, the patent creates an environment where bacteria cannot thrive, thereby preventing performance deterioration caused by bacterial proliferation.
3Reliability
If the hollow fiber membrane is heated to prevent water accumulation, then performance stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies heating only periodically rather than continuously, using the heating element to evaporate accumulated water vapor at specific intervals. This periodic heating approach prevents performance deterioration while minimizing energy consumption compared to continuous heating, as the heating element is activated only when water accumulation becomes problematic.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is designed to heat the hollow fiber membrane and surrounding vacuum portion to a temperature sufficient for water vapor evaporation. The system uses the membrane's own thermal mass and the vacuum environment to facilitate water removal, reducing the amount of external energy required compared to heating a large volume of water or using more powerful heating systems.
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 solution maintains excellent degassing performance over extended use periods, preventing bacterial proliferation and ensuring consistent measurement accuracy by effectively removing dissolved gases with minimal pressure loss.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heating unit provided at the at least one first gas discharge unit is further provided
Implementation Method 2
the at least one heating unit is further provided
Implementation Method 3
a mechanism of separating only gas in the liquid from the wall surface of the hollow fiber when the liquid passes through the inner side or the outer side of the hollow fiber membrane by applying a negative pressure
Implementation Method 4
at least one first gas discharge unit for connecting the internal space of the housing and the outside of the housing to each other, and for depressurizing the internal space of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a chemical analyzer equipped with a hollow fiber degassing module that can maintain the original degassing performance even after long periods of continuous use, and can also suppress the proliferation of bacteria and the like. More specifically, a hollow fiber degassing module includes a housing and a hollow fiber membrane disposed in an internal space of the housing. The housing includes a liquid supply unit for connecting an outside of the housing and an internal space of the hollow fiber membrane to each other, and for supplying constant temperature water W, a liquid discharge unit for connecting the internal space of the hollow fiber membrane and the outside of the housing to each other, and for discharging constant temperature water, and a gas discharge unit for connecting an internal space of the housing and the outside of the housing to each other, and for depressurizing the internal space.