Hollow-Fibre Membrane Permeation Testing Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the permeation properties of hollow-fibre membranes, particularly diffusive clearance, are time-consuming and inefficient, requiring the assembly of filter modules and prolonged analysis, which can lead to significant waste in production.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allow for the direct measurement of permeation properties, including diffusive clearance, by introducing a hollow-fibre membrane bundle into a housing with open and closed ends, using test liquids with varying concentrations to measure the permeation of substances through the membrane without the need for potting or forming filter modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If hollow-fibre membrane bundles are assembled into filter modules before testing, then permeation properties can be determined, but the process becomes time-consuming and produces significant waste
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential testing function from the complete filter module assembly process. By using a housing that directly receives the hollow-fibre membrane bundle without requiring full module construction (potting, terminal sealing), the method isolates and tests only the permeation-relevant portion of the system, thereby reducing time while maintaining measurement validity
Solution Approach 2:
The testing process is segmented into a simplified housing configuration that separates the permeation testing function from the complete filter module assembly. The housing is designed with specific inlet and outlet arrangements that enable independent testing of the membrane bundle's permeation properties without requiring the entire filter module to be constructed and sealed
2Measurement precision
If filter modules are constructed and analyzed after production, then permeation properties are determined, but production output may be discarded due to time delays
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables preliminary testing of hollow-fibre membrane bundles immediately after they are produced and bundled, but before they are assembled into complete filter modules. By using the simplified housing method, quality control can be performed in advance, allowing production batches to be validated quickly and preventing non-conforming products from entering further processing or final inventory
3Measurement precision
If complete filter modules are assembled for testing, then permeation properties can be measured, but the device complexity and assembly requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the permeation testing function from the complete filter module assembly process. By using a housing that directly receives the hollow-fibre membrane bundle without requiring full module construction (potting, terminal sealing), the method isolates and tests only the permeation-relevant portion of the system, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining measurement validity
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed as a universal testing device that can accommodate hollow-fibre membrane bundles with different configurations and permeation properties. The standardized housing with inlet and outlet arrangements serves multiple testing purposes, eliminating the need for custom assembly for each test scenario
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
Enables rapid and reliable determination of permeation properties, allowing for prompt process control and reducing waste by eliminating the need for extensive module assembly and analysis, thereby ensuring compliance with defined permeation property ranges.
Implementation Method 1
determining a permeation property of the hollow-fibre membranes
Implementation Method 2
diffusive clearance of hollow-fibre membranes
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of determining a permeation property of hollow-fibre membranes wherein the permeation property of the hollow-fibre membrane is determined on a hollow-fibre membrane bundle which has been introduced into a housing and has terminally open hollow-fibre membranes at a first end of the hollow-fibre membrane bundle and terminally closed hollow-fibre membranes at a second end of the hollow-fibre membrane bundle. The invention more particularly relates to a method of determining the clearance, more particularly the diffusive clearance of hollow-fibre membranes.