Separation Membrane Heating via Dual Gas Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing separation devices with separation membranes face challenges in efficiently heating the membranes during activation, often requiring larger equipment and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A transient operation method for separation devices, involving a separation membrane complex with specific gas flow paths and controlled temperature-difference specific heat coefficients, allows efficient heating of the separation membrane by supplying gases to the flow paths, optimizing heating efficiency without increasing gas flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional heating methods are used to heat the separation membrane during activation, then the membrane can fulfill its separation function, but the heating efficiency is low and energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The heating process is segmented into two distinct flow paths: a first flow path positioned closer to the separation membrane and a second flow path positioned closer to the substrate. This segmentation allows independent control of gas flow and heating parameters in each region, enabling optimized heat distribution to the membrane while reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Different gas flow rates and temperature conditions are applied to different regions: the first flow path near the membrane receives controlled gas flow for efficient heating, while the second flow path near the substrate receives different gas conditions. This local quality approach ensures that heating is concentrated where needed (at the membrane) rather than uniformly distributed, improving heating efficiency and reducing energy waste.
2Productivity
If gas flow rate is increased to improve heating efficiency, then heating performance improves, but equipment size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts gas flow rates and temperature conditions in the two flow paths based on the heating requirements of the separation membrane. By making the gas flow parameters variable rather than fixed, the system achieves high heating performance without requiring oversized equipment, as the gas flow is optimized in real-time to match the actual heating needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes key parameters including gas flow rate, temperature, and the temperature-difference specific heat coefficient (ΔCp/ΔT) to optimize heating efficiency. By controlling these parameters independently in each flow path, particularly maintaining appropriate ΔCp/ΔT ratios, the system achieves effective heating without increasing equipment size or complexity.
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 method enables efficient and controlled heating of the separation membrane, reducing energy consumption and equipment size while maintaining effective separation performance.
Implementation Method 1
heating the separation membrane complex by supplying a gas at least to the second flow path
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a transient operation method for a separation device, which enables efficient heating of the separation membrane. The transient operation method for a separation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a transient operation method for a separation device, the separation device including a separation membrane complex including: a separation membrane; and a substrate arranged on one side of the separation membrane, the separation device having a first flow path and a second flow path, the first flow path being positioned on a side closer to the separation membrane of the separation membrane complex, the second flow path being positioned on a side closer to the substrate of the separation membrane complex, the transient operation method including heating the separation membrane complex by supplying a gas at least to the second flow path. The gas supplied to the second flow path satisfies the formula (1): ΔCp2/ΔT2<0 (J/(mol·K2)) (1) where ΔCp2 represents a difference between a molar specific heat at constant pressure "a" at the separation membrane complex inlet of the second flow path and a molar specific heat at constant pressure "b" at the separation membrane complex outlet of the second flow path, and ΔT2 represents a difference between a gas temperature "a" at the separation membrane complex inlet of the second flow path and a gas temperature "b" at the separation membrane complex outlet of the second flow path.