Membrane Gas-Liquid Contactor for Uniform Flow Degassing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid degassing systems in HPLC applications face challenges in achieving low flow restriction, high efficiency, small size, and low cost, with existing configurations failing to utilize the full potential of flat sheet-form membranes for uniform fluid flow and effective degassing.
Innovation Solution
A gas-liquid contactor using a semi-permeable, non-porous, planar membrane with a fluid distribution arrangement that ensures uniform fluid flow across the membrane surface, minimizing frictional flow restrictions and optimizing contact area for efficient degassing, comprising a permeate chamber, porous support mesh, and fluid distribution chamber secured with screws or similar mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional tubular membrane systems are used for degassing, then degassing efficiency is achieved, but device size and flow resistance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from tubular membranes (one-dimensional flow through lumen) to flat sheet-form membranes (two-dimensional flow across surface), maximizing membrane surface area within a compact footprint. This dimensional change enables superior degassing performance in a minimized volume by allowing fluid to flow across the entire membrane surface area rather than through a narrow tube interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The flat sheet membrane is divided into multiple flow channels separated by spacers, creating a segmented flow path that distributes fluid uniformly across the membrane surface. This segmentation increases the effective membrane contact area and maintains low flow resistance while achieving high degassing efficiency.
2Volume of moving object
If flat sheet-form membranes are used without optimized flow distribution, then device size is reduced, but uniform fluid flow and degassing efficiency are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Spacers are strategically positioned at specific locations within the flow channel to create localized flow distribution zones. These spacers divide the flow path into multiple smaller channels, ensuring uniform fluid distribution across the membrane surface. This local structural modification maintains compact device size while achieving uniform fluid flow and high degassing efficiency.
3Reliability
If membrane surface area is increased for better degassing, then degassing efficiency improves, but flow restriction increases
Solution Approach 1:
By transitioning to flat sheet membranes with two-dimensional flow distribution, the system achieves large membrane surface area without proportionally increasing flow path length or resistance. Fluid flows across the broad membrane surface rather than through a narrow tube, maintaining low flow restriction while maximizing degassing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow channel is segmented into multiple parallel paths by spacers, distributing fluid flow across the entire membrane surface. This segmentation prevents flow concentration in single regions, reducing overall flow restriction while utilizing the full membrane area for efficient degassing.
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 achieves superior degassing performance in a minimized volume, matching or exceeding the efficiency of tubular membrane systems while reducing the overall size and flow resistance, ensuring uniform fluid flow and effective removal of dissolved gases.
Implementation Method 1
a first side of an inert, gas permeable membrane is in contact with an HPLC mobile phase... while the opposite, second side of the membrane is in contact with a gas
Implementation Method 2
A gas-liquid contactor using a semi-permeable, non-porous, planar membrane
Data Source
AI summary
A membrane gas-liquid contactor is arranged to define a fluid flow path for contact with a membrane in a manner to improve degassing efficiency. A degassing module housing the membrane is arranged with flow fields for distributing the fluid flow throughout the membrane contact area. The distributed fluid flow may have a uniform membrane contact opportunity.