Integrated Membrane Module for Aircraft Air Dehydration and Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Membrane-based gas separation systems require separate modules for dehydration and gas separation, which occupy significant space and are impractical in limited environments like aircraft, due to the need for additional components such as dehydration units and carbon beds.
Innovation Solution
An integrated membrane module combining dehydration and gas separation stages with a central core supporting concentric bundles of polymeric fibers, where compressed air is first dehydrated and then processed through a carbon bed before gas separation, with the permeate gas acting as a sweep stream for dehydration, minimizing space and plumbing requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate dehydration module and gas separation module are used, then gas dehydration and separation functions are achieved, but space requirements increase and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the dehydration module and gas separation module into a single integrated module. The dehydration membrane fibers and gas separation membrane fibers are housed together in one module with a common shell, eliminating the need for separate modules and reducing overall space requirements while maintaining both dehydration and separation functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated module serves multiple functions within a single unit: it performs both gas dehydration (removing water vapor) and gas separation (separating oxygen from nitrogen). The module handles multiple process streams (feed gas, permeate, non-permeate) and incorporates both dehydration and separation membranes in one configuration.
2Reliability
If separate dehydration module and gas separation module are used, then gas dehydration and separation functions are achieved, but device complexity and plumbing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the dehydration module and gas separation module into a single integrated module. The dehydration membrane fibers and gas separation membrane fibers are housed together in one module with a common shell, eliminating the need for separate modules and reducing overall space requirements while maintaining both dehydration and separation functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The permeate stream from the gas separation stage is used as a sweep stream for the dehydration stage, eliminating the need for external sweep gas supplies. This self-service arrangement reduces external plumbing requirements and simplifies the overall system configuration.
3Reliability
If external sweep streams are provided for dehydration, then dehydration performance is improved, but plumbing complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The permeate stream from the gas separation stage is used as a sweep stream for the dehydration stage, eliminating the need for external sweep gas supplies. This self-service arrangement reduces external plumbing requirements and simplifies the overall system configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The permeate gas from the gas separation stage, which would otherwise be a waste stream, is recovered and reused as the sweep gas for the dehydration stage. This eliminates the need for separate sweep gas supplies and improves overall system efficiency.
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 integrated module effectively reduces space requirements and eliminates the need for external sweep streams and separate module cases, enhancing gas separation efficiency and reducing the complexity of plumbing in compact environments.
Implementation Method 1
A polymer membrane becomes degraded in the presence of liquid water or water vapor. Therefore, the air directed into the membrane must be substantially free of water. For this reason, it is common to provide some form of dehydration unit which treats the gas before it enters the gas separation module. Polymers have been developed which separate water vapor from a gas.
Implementation Method 2
Various polymers have the property that they allow different gases to flow through, or permeate, the membrane, at different rates. A polymer used in air separation, for example, will pass oxygen and nitrogen at different rates. The selectivity of the membrane is a measure of the degree to which the membrane allows one component, but not the other, to pass through.
Implementation Method 3
The compressed air supplied to a membrane module must also be free of particulates and oil vapor, such as the particles of oil, and the oil vapors, which leak from the compressor. Carbon beds are typically used to remove such particles of oil, and the oil vapor, from the air stream.
Data Source
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AI summary
An integrated fiber membrane module for air dehydration and air separation includes dehydration and separation units disposed concentrically in a generally cylindrical module. Air flows through the outer dehydration unit, becomes dried, and is then directed, in an opposite direction, through the separation unit. The permeate gas from the separation unit serves as a sweep gas for the dehydration unit. A portion of dried gas produced by the dehydration unit may be used as a sweep gas for the separation unit, and al so for the dehydration unit. The module makes it feasible to dry and separate air using a device which occupies relatively little space, and which is therefore especially suited for use in aircraft and in other cramped environments.