Membrane Element Rigid Member Segmentation Gas Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional membrane elements suffer from low gas separation performance due to insufficient partitioning between supply and exhaust regions, leading to gas shortcuts and degradation of sealing members over time.

Innovation Solution

A membrane element with a pleated structure surrounded by a reinforcement frame, featuring a rigid member intersecting the folds and a sealing portion to separate the supply and exhaust regions, ensuring reliable sealing and preventing gas shortcuts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional membrane element without rigid members is used, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the partition between supply and exhaust regions is insufficient causing gas shortcuts and reduced separation performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas separation performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The membrane element is divided into multiple sealed regions using rigid members that segment the opened regions into distinct supply and exhaust zones. This segmentation prevents gas shortcuts by creating clear boundaries between regions, directly resolving the contradiction by improving separation performance through structured division rather than complex overall design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Rigid members act as intermediary elements introduced between the pleated structure and the opened regions. These intermediaries provide the necessary partitioning function without requiring complex modifications to the entire membrane structure, achieving reliable gas separation through simple intermediary components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If sealing members are used to partition supply and exhaust regions, then gas separation performance improves, but the sealing members degrade over time reducing long-term reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas separation performanceVSAvoidsealing member durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameters of sealing members by specifying use of elastic epoxy resin adhesive with particular properties (flexibility, non-flow characteristic). This parameter change enables the sealing member to maintain effective sealing over time while resisting degradation, resolving the contradiction between initial performance and long-term durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing portion is designed with inherent flexibility and non-flow characteristics that provide beforehand protection against degradation. This prior cushioning effect allows the sealing member to withstand operational stresses without degrading over time, ensuring long-term reliability of the gas separation function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the opened region is completely sealed, then gas separation performance is maximized, but the structure becomes more complex and manufacturing becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas separation performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of completely sealing the opened region, the invention applies sealing only where necessary - specifically at the rigid members and along the virtual plane. This local quality approach provides sufficient gas separation performance while maintaining manufacturing simplicity by avoiding unnecessary sealing complexity in other areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 enhances gas separation performance by preventing gas shortcuts and maintaining seal integrity over time, improving the efficiency and reliability of gas separation devices.

Implementation Method 1

a gas separation membrane substrate which has been pleated into a pleated structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelective permeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

a sealing portion provided between the rigid member and the pleated structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentUS9101873B2Membrane element, gas separation device and internal combustion engine

Publication Date: 2015.08.11 ASAHI KASEI CHEM CORP

AI summary

The present invention provides a membrane element, a gas separation device, and an internal combustion engine capable of improving gas separation performance. A gas separation device 1 including membrane elements 2 includes rigid members 32 arranged in a direction intersecting folds of a pleated structure 26 in open regions R1 and R2 of the pleated structure 26 surrounded by a reinforcement frame 27. The open regions R1 and R2 are each separated into a supply region and an exhaust region of gas by an elastic epoxy resin adhesive S provided between the rigid member 32 and the pleated structure 26.