Membrane gas separator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating and cooling systems face challenges in efficiently separating inflammatory gases from the fluid circulation in heat transfer media, which can lead to ignition mixtures and system malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A membrane gas separator using a composite membrane composed of a ceramic zeolite layer and a rubber-like polymer membrane is employed to selectively separate gas bubbles containing flammable gases from the aqueous fluid, with a vacuum pump collecting the separated gas components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional air vent valve with a diaphragm permeable to gaseous media is used, then air can be removed from the system, but flammable gases can also pass through leading to ignitable mixtures
Solution Approach 1:
The venting function is divided into two separate components: a membrane gas separator that removes flammable gases selectively, and a conventional air vent valve that removes air. This segmentation ensures that the air vent only handles non-flammable air while flammable gases are captured separately, eliminating the risk of ignitable mixtures.
Solution Approach 2:
A membrane gas separator is introduced as an intermediary component between the heating circuit and the air vent valve. This separator acts as a selective barrier that allows air to pass through to the vent while blocking flammable gases, thereby protecting the venting system from handling flammable mixtures.
2Reliability
If double-walled stainless steel heat exchangers are used to contain flammable refrigerants, then safety is improved, but heat transfer efficiency decreases due to thermal insulation effect
Solution Approach 1:
The flammable gas containment function is extracted from the heat exchanger walls and relocated to a separate membrane gas separator. This allows the heat exchanger to use thin-walled construction for optimal heat transfer, while the separator provides selective containment and removal of flammable gases without compromising thermal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The approach changes from preventing gas release through physical barriers (double walls) to actively removing gases through selective permeation. By changing the containment strategy from passive thermal insulation to active gas separation, heat transfer efficiency is maintained while safety is achieved through continuous gas removal.
3Ease of operation
If manual vent valves are used, then simple operation is achieved, but automatic removal of air is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The venting system is designed to accommodate both manual and automatic operating modes through the air vent valve, which can function in either mode. The membrane gas separator enhances this by automatically separating flammable gases regardless of the venting mode, providing universal safety coverage while maintaining operational flexibility.
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 separates flammable gases from the heat transfer medium, preventing the formation of ignition mixtures and ensuring safe operation of heating and cooling systems, while also improving the efficiency of gas separation.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one layer of the ceramic layer of zeolite is provided in the flow path of the gas to be separated as the first layer in which the flammable gas is adsorbed either from the gas phase or from the liquid phase
Implementation Method 2
the further layer being formed subsequently in the flow path of the gas to be separated as a diffusion layer
Implementation Method 3
The chamber for collecting separated gas components is connected to a fume hood operating under negative pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Membrane gas separator for air conditioning, heating and ventilation technology, comprising means for separating gas bubbles, which may contain a flammable gas, from a flowing aqueous liquid, and at least one chamber for collecting separated gas components, wherein a composite membrane is provided in the flow path of the gas to be separated, which is composed of at least two layers, of which at least one layer is formed from a ceramic layer of zeolite and at least one further layer from a rubber-like polymer membrane, and the at least one layer of the ceramic layer of zeolite is provided in the flow path of the gas to be separated as the first layer in which the flammable gas is adsorbed either from the gas phase or from the liquid phase, subsequently in the flow path of the gas to be separated the further layer is formed as a diffusion layer,The chamber for collecting separated gas components is arranged downstream in the flow path, wherein the chamber for collecting separated gas components is connected to a fume hood operating under negative pressure.