Separation Membrane Drying via Uniform Gas Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drying methods for separation membranes require heating equipment or specialized gas supplies, and often result in uneven gas flow and prolonged drying times due to the use of baffle plates, which complicates the process and reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the supply of a gas with a flow rate distribution of less than or equal to 15% across the membrane surface, using a water-soluble gas with high solubility at 40°C and 1 atmosphere, such as CO2, to facilitate rapid and uniform drying of separation membranes without the need for heating, by ensuring consistent gas flow and efficient evaporation of water from the membrane pores.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heating equipment or specialized gas supplies are used for drying separation membranes, then drying effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and process cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The separation membrane structure itself serves as the drying chamber, using its own geometry and flow paths to achieve uniform drying without external heating equipment. The casing and membrane configuration enable self-drying through controlled gas flow distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas supply system serves multiple functions: it provides drying gas flow, controls humidity through water-soluble gas dissolution, and distributes flow uniformly across the membrane surface. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate heating and flow control devices.
2Manufacturing precision
If baffle plates are used to control gas flow, then flow distribution is improved, but drying time increases due to reduced gas velocity
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using baffle plates that obstruct flow in the same dimension, the invention uses the three-dimensional casing geometry and flow path design to distribute gas uniformly. The flow distribution is achieved through spatial configuration rather than flow obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the drying gas by using water-soluble gases at controlled temperatures and pressures. This enables uniform dissolution throughout the membrane pores without requiring slow, obstructed flow paths, thus maintaining high gas velocity while achieving uniform flow distribution.
3Productivity
If high flow rate gas is supplied to reduce drying time, then productivity is improved, but flow distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The casing and flow path design creates locally optimized flow conditions at different positions on the membrane surface. Each region receives appropriately distributed high-velocity gas flow through the geometric configuration, ensuring uniform drying even at high overall flow rates.
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 approach enables simple, rapid, and efficient drying of separation membranes, reducing the time required for the process and eliminating the need for additional heating equipment, while maintaining membrane performance by ensuring uniform drying across the membrane surface.
Implementation Method 1
contains a water-soluble gas that has a solubility in 1 cm3 of water of greater than or equal to 0.5 cm3
Implementation Method 2
supplying a gas for drying to the separation membrane so that a value obtained by dividing the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the flow rate of the gas for drying on a membrane surface
Data Source
AI summary
A drying method for a separation membrane includes supplying a gas for drying to the separation membrane so that a value obtained by dividing the difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of a flow rate of the gas for drying on a membrane surface of the separation membrane by the minimum value of the flow rate is less than or equal to 15%. The gas for drying is less than or equal to 40 degree C. and contains a water-soluble gas that has a solubility in 1 cm3 of water of greater than or equal to 0.5 cm3 in conditions of 40 degree C. and 1 atmosphere.