Membrane Conduit Residence Time Enhancing Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional selectively permeable membrane devices for fuel deoxygenation, such as polymeric hollow-fibers, are inefficient due to their limited surface area and the unsuitability of ceramic membranes in large tube forms, which require heavy systems and do not effectively enhance residence time for fluid separation.
Innovation Solution
A selectively permeable membrane device with a membrane conduit featuring a residence time enhancing structure, such as a double helix screw, that increases the contact length between the membrane and fluid, and includes eddy promoting features to enhance mixing, allowing for improved separation of oxygen from fuel, using materials like zeolite or stainless steel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If ceramic membranes are used in large tube form, then membrane surface area is increased, but system weight and size increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the membrane structure into hollow fibers with internal spiral flow paths. This segmentation allows the membrane to provide large surface area while maintaining a compact, lightweight overall structure. The hollow fiber configuration enables oxygen permeation through the fiber walls without requiring large external tube volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spiral flow path dimension within the hollow fibers, transforming the conventional straight-through flow. This spiral configuration increases the effective membrane contact length and surface area utilization without increasing the external dimensions or weight of the membrane module.
2Area of stationary object
If conventional hollow-fibers are used, then membrane surface area is limited, but system complexity and weight increase when using ceramic alternatives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow path geometry parameter from straight-through to spiral configuration within the hollow fibers. This parameter change increases the effective membrane contact length and surface area utilization factor, allowing conventional hollow fiber structures to achieve performance levels previously requiring complex ceramic configurations.
3Duration of action of moving object
If residence time is increased for better separation, then membrane surface area must be increased, but this leads to larger and heavier systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the spiral flow path dimension to extend the residence time within the membrane structure. The spiral configuration allows the fluid to traverse a longer path length within the hollow fibers, increasing contact time with the membrane surface without increasing the external volume or weight of the system.
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 effectively increases the effective membrane length, enhancing oxygen transfer and overall membrane performance, enabling the use of ceramic membranes with higher surface area per unit volume and improving fuel stabilization and fluid quality.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane conduit configured to receive the flow and to allow permeation of the first fluid therethrough
Implementation Method 2
a residence time enhancing structure disposed within the membrane conduit and configured to increase residence time of the flow within the membrane conduit
Implementation Method 3
The screw can be attached to or formed on a center rod. The screw can include a double helix shape
Implementation Method 4
The device can include one or more eddy promoting features disposed on an inner diameter of the membrane conduit to enhance mixing
Data Source
AI summary
A selectively permeable membrane device for separating a first fluid from a second fluid in a flow can include a membrane conduit configured to receive the flow and to allow permeation of the first fluid therethrough, and configured to not allow permeation of the second fluid. The device can include a residence time enhancing structure disposed within the membrane conduit and configured to increase residence time of the flow within the membrane conduit.