Humidification and selective permeation module

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing separation processes using facilitated-transport membranes face challenges in maintaining consistent humidity levels and permeability throughout the length of the permeation module, leading to reduced efficiency due to separate humidification and selective permeation units, which results in uneven hydration of the membrane.

Innovation Solution

A module design that integrates humidification and selective permeation within the same unit operation using two sets of hollow fibers, where humidification hollow fibers containing liquid water within their cores continuously humidify the feed stream, maintaining consistent humidity levels and enhancing the performance of facilitated-transport hollow fibers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If humidification and selective permeation are performed in separate unit operations, then the feed stream can be humidified before entering the permeation module, but the humidity level drastically decreases in early stages of the module and is reduced throughout the remaining length, leading to reduced permeability and selectivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistency of humidity levelVSAvoidpermeability and selectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines humidification and selective permeation into a single integrated module where humidification hollow fibers and facilitated-transport hollow fibers are intermingled. This allows continuous humidification of the feed stream throughout the entire length of the module, maintaining consistent humidity levels and thereby consistent permeability and selectivity, resolving the contradiction between reliability of humidity consistency and productivity through enhanced mass transfer efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Quantity of substance

If water vapor permeability is high in the facilitated-transport membrane, then water vapor can easily permeate through the membrane, but it becomes difficult to keep the gaseous feed stream sufficiently humidified and the facilitated-transport membrane sufficiently hydrated throughout the entire length of the permeation module

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater vapor content in feed streamVSAvoidhydration consistency of membrane

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces humidification hollow fibers as an intermediary component that contains liquid water in its hollow core and releases water vapor through its microporous walls. These humidification fibers are intermingled with facilitated-transport hollow fibers to provide continuous local humidification, acting as a mediator that maintains both sufficient water vapor content in the feed stream and consistent hydration of the facilitated-transport membrane throughout the module length

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If more membrane area is used to compensate for reduced permeability and selectivity, then the separation performance can be maintained, but the module size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation performanceVSAvoidmembrane area requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges humidification and selective permeation functions into a single integrated module, enabling continuous humidification throughout the feed stream path. This maintains optimal membrane hydration and permeability characteristics along the entire module length, achieving reliable separation performance with a compact membrane area and simplified module design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This integrated approach maintains uniform hydration of the facilitated-transport membrane, resulting in consistent permeability and selectivity throughout the module length, improving separation efficiency and reducing the need for precise temperature control between separate units.

Implementation Method 1

water vapor permeability is usually similar or higher than all other gases permeating the facilitated-transport membrane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

The separation of components in a gaseous feed stream through selective permeation using a facilitated-transport membrane is a promising technology for industrial separations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFacilitated transport: Permeation

Implementation Method 3

The carrier agent selectively and reversibly interacts with certain component(s) in the feed stream with resulting higher permeation of the interacting component(s) and higher selectivity over non interacting components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReversible complexation: Adsorption

Implementation Method 4

Humidification, such as through addition of water vapor to the gaseous feed stream, hydrates the facilitated-transport membrane and enhances permeance and selectivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHumidification: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12357948B2Humidification and selective permeation module

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 COMPACT MEMBRANE SYST INC

AI summary

A humidification and selective permeation module in which humidification of a gaseous feed stream and selective permeation of components in the gaseous feed stream using a facilitated-transport membrane occurs within the same unit operation is disclosed. A process for separation of components in a gaseous feed stream using the humidification and permeation module combines continuous humidification of the feed stream and selective permeation using the facilitated-transport membrane.