Hollow Fiber Membrane Module Parallel Flow Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hollow fiber membrane modules for degassing or gas supply suffer from increased pressure loss and reduced flow volume due to liquid flowing in right-angled or obliquely traversing directions, resulting in shortened flow path lengths and ineffective use of the membranes.
Innovation Solution
A hollow fiber membrane module design that includes a hollow fiber membrane bundle housed in a case with partition plates dividing the space into regions, allowing the liquid to flow parallel to the membrane length, with inlets and outlets strategically positioned to maintain flow direction and reduce pressure loss, and featuring a U-shaped membrane bundle with a restriction fiber string for enhanced contact and flow management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the liquid flows in a right-angled or obliquely traversing direction of the hollow fiber membrane, then the membrane contact area is increased, but the pressure loss increases and flow volume decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The module divides the flow path into multiple segments using partition plates, creating multiple regions that guide liquid flow sequentially along the membrane length. This segmentation allows the liquid to maintain parallel flow direction while still achieving comprehensive membrane contact through staged processing regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional transverse flow across the membrane to three-dimensional parallel flow along the membrane length. By utilizing the longitudinal dimension of the hollow fiber membranes, the liquid flows in the same direction as the membrane orientation, dramatically reducing pressure loss while maintaining effective contact time.
2Device complexity
If a short pass is formed in the flow path, then the device complexity is reduced, but the flow path length is shortened and contact time with membranes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is divided into multiple processing regions by partition plates, each contributing to the overall contact time. While individual regions are compact, the cumulative effect of sequential passage through multiple regions achieves sufficient total contact time without requiring an excessively long single-pass flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition plates are configured with inlet/outlet positioning that ensures continuous liquid flow through all regions without dead zones or short-circuiting. This continuous action through multiple staged regions maximizes the utilization of membrane surface area while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
3Device complexity
If a short pass is formed, then the device structure is simplified, but dead space is formed and hollow fiber membrane effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The partition plates create regions with optimized local flow characteristics, ensuring that liquid flows through areas with high membrane density while avoiding dead spaces. Each region is locally configured to maximize membrane utilization, with inlet/outlet positions strategically placed to maintain uniform flow distribution across the membrane bundle.
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 design decreases pressure loss and enables sufficient degassing or gas supply by maintaining a longer flow path and effective contact time with the membranes, improving the overall efficiency of the degassing process.
Implementation Method 1
a hollow fiber membrane module for removing a gas from a liquid to be processed or supplying a gas to the liquid to be processed
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a hollow fiber membrane module provided with a hollow fiber membrane bundle, a case in which the hollow fiber membrane bundle is contained, a fixation part which affixes the hollow fiber membrane bundle within the case and divides the space inside the case into a first space that is outside the hollow fiber membranes and a second space that is in communication with the insides of the hollow fiber membranes, and a partition plate which divides the first space into a first region and a second region.