Membrane Gas Separator Built-in Valve Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing membrane gas separators face challenges in maintaining stable pressure differences between fibres and their surroundings, especially in applications with significant pressure and flow changes, while also preventing leakage of the flushing medium.
Innovation Solution
A membrane gas separator with a built-in combined valve, featuring a throttling section and a sealing section, is integrated into the separator's body. This valve is designed to control the flow of the final product and the flushing medium, ensuring reduced backflow and zero leakage when the inlet medium flow is closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If an integrated inner valve is used to control flushing medium flow, then the device complexity is reduced, but continuous small leakage occurs through the valve bypass even when closed
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into two independent sections: a first section (throttling valve) that controls flushing medium flow to the fibres, and a second section (sealing valve) that prevents leakage. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other, eliminating the bypass leakage problem while maintaining integration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If connection is made in the part of the manifold with major pressure changes, then the separator can handle pressure variations, but natural leakage from fibre permeability cannot be compensated and pressure difference fluctuates
Solution Approach 1:
The first valve section (throttling valve) operates as a feedback mechanism that automatically adjusts flushing medium flow based on the pressure difference across the fibres. When pressure difference fluctuates due to system pressure changes, the valve dynamically compensates by adjusting flow, thereby maintaining stable pressure difference and compensating for natural fibre permeability leakage.
3Loss of substance
If the valve is closed to prevent final product leakage, then leakage is prevented, but the flushing medium flow is also stopped affecting fibre cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is segmented into two independent sections: the first section controls flushing medium flow to maintain fibre cleaning, while the second section prevents final product leakage. This allows the system to simultaneously achieve both objectives - the first section keeps fibres clean during operation, and the second section prevents leakage when the valve is closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve system dynamically adjusts the opening degree of the first section based on operating conditions. During normal operation, the first section is partially open to allow flushing medium flow for fibre cleaning. When closure is required to prevent leakage, the second section closes while the first section maintains controlled flow to preserve cleaning efficiency.
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 maximizes the service life of membrane separator fibres by maintaining a stable pressure difference and preventing pressure equalization, while also ensuring zero leakage of the flushing medium, even under conditions of significant pressure and flow changes.
Implementation Method 1
The sealing section is open due to increased differential pressure of the final product between the interspace and the outlet chamber which results in the flexible membrane deformation and potential push-down of the inner flexible element
Implementation Method 2
The throttling section is open and deactivated due to a further increase in differential pressure of the final product between the interspace and the outlet chamber which results in the push-down of the outer flexible element and the valve plate movement
Implementation Method 3
Hollow selective fibres are used to feed the inlet medium and for separated component leakage from the inlet medium to the flushing space through fibre walls
Implementation Method 4
a check valve located at the pneumatic connection between the inlet manifold and the inlet chamber to stop the backflow of the inlet medium and the final product from the inlet chamber, fibres and outlet chamber back in the inlet manifold
Data Source
AI summary
A membrane gas separator with a built-in valve along with a method of open and closing the membrane gas separator are disclosed herein. The membrane separator contains an inlet chamber, hollow selective fibres, an outlet chamber, a central core element and a flushing space. The membrane separator contains a built-in combined valve in the outlet chamber and a the central space and a check valve at an inlet manifold. The built-in valve contains a throttling section to ensure a reduced backflow of a final product from the outlet manifold to the inner space of hollow fibres, and the sealing section to stop the flow of the flushing medium from the outlet chamber to the flushing space when no inlet medium flows through the separator. The method of opening of the membrane separator includes opening of the sealing section and subsequent opening and deactivation of the throttling section. The method of closing of the membrane separator includes closing and activation of the throttling section and closing of the sealing section.