Separation Membrane Gas Mixing for Precise Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing separation membrane systems face challenges in achieving rapid and precise temperature control, which can lead to breakage due to sudden temperature changes.

Innovation Solution

A separation membrane system that includes a heating device, a temperature measurement device, and a supply line for mixing a first and second gas upstream, allowing precise temperature control by adjusting the flow rate of the second gas based on measured temperature, and using a mixing ratio to control temperature increase/decrease rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If temperature adjustment of the separation membrane is performed to fulfill predetermined function, then separation performance is improved, but the separation membrane may break when temperature change is sudden

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation membrane durabilityVSAvoidtemperature control speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary temperature adjustment by mixing gases with different temperatures before they contact the separation membrane. The temperature control unit adjusts the mixing ratio in advance to achieve the target temperature gradually, preventing sudden temperature changes that would cause membrane breakage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the temperature parameter of the gas stream by controlling the mixing ratio between first gas (from heating unit) and second gas (from cooling unit). By adjusting this parameter dynamically, the system achieves precise temperature control of the separation membrane without sudden transitions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If temperature control precision is increased to prevent breakage, then reliability is improved, but temperature adjustment speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement precisionVSAvoidtemperature adjustment speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature measurement unit continuously monitors the temperature of the gas stream and provides feedback to the temperature control unit. This closed-loop feedback system adjusts the gas mixing ratio in real-time to maintain the target temperature, achieving both high precision and rapid response

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If gas mixing is performed upstream of temperature measurement, then temperature control precision is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoidsystem structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the temperature control function with the existing gas supply system by mixing the first gas (heated) and second gas (cooled) through a mixing unit that integrates with the supply line. This approach achieves precise temperature control without requiring separate complex temperature control equipment for each gas stream

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables rapid and precise temperature control of the separation membrane, reducing the risk of breakage and facilitating easy and highly precise control of temperature changes.

Implementation Method 1

a supply line configured to allow the first gas and the second gas to be mixed together upstream of the heating device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

mixing a first gas, which has been heated by the heating device, with a second gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a temperature measurement device installed between the separation membrane and the heating device; The temperature measurement device is configured to measure a temperature of the mixed gas supplied to the separation membrane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal detection: Thermocouple

Data Source

PatentEP4667086A1Separation membrane system and separation membrane temperature raising and lowering method

Publication Date: 2025.12.24 NGK INSULATORS LTD

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AI summary

Provided is a separation membrane system including a separation membrane, which enables rapid and precise temperature control of the separation membrane. The separation membrane system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a separation membrane; a heating device; a temperature measurement device installed between the separation membrane and the heating device; and a supply line that allows a first gas and a second gas serving as a temperature adjusting gas to be mixed upstream of a position at which the temperature measurement device is installed, and allows a mixed gas of the first gas and the second gas to be supplied to the separation membrane. The temperature measurement device is configured to measure a temperature of the mixed gas supplied to the separation membrane. The temperature of the mixed gas is controlled by adjusting a flow rate of the second gas based on the temperature measured by the temperature measurement device.