Separation Membrane Shutdown Under Controlled Water Vapor Pressure

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for separating substances from a mixture fail to prevent damage on the separation membrane during the stopping process, which may be caused by the stopping process, which may be caused by the stopping process, which may be caused by the stopping process, which may be caused by the stopping process, which may be caused by the stopping process, which may be prevented by the stopping process, which may be prevented by the stopping process, which may be prevented by the stopping process, which may be prevented by the stopping process, which may be prevented by the stopping method for a separation device.

Innovation Solution

A stopping method for a separation device that includes placing the separation membrane under an environment where the water vapor partial pressure P(H2O) and saturation water vapor pressure P sat< (H2O) satisfy a relationship of P(H2O)/P sat< (H2O)≥0.001 and maintaining a temperature of 100°C or higher, followed by gradually reducing the temperature and pressure to prevent damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the separation device is stopped by directly decreasing temperature and pressure, then the stopping process is simple and quick, but the separation membrane may be damaged due to thermal shock and pressure changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestopping timeVSAvoidmembrane integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by first placing the separation membrane under an environment where water vapor partial pressure and saturation water vapor pressure satisfy a specific relationship (P(H2O)/Psat(P(H2O)) ≥ 0.001) before decreasing temperature. This preliminary environmental preparation prevents thermal shock damage to the membrane during subsequent temperature reduction, resolving the contradiction between quick stopping and membrane protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the separation membrane is heated for use under pressure, then the separation membrane can fulfill its separation function, but the membrane becomes vulnerable to damage during temperature decrease when stopped

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation functionVSAvoidthermal damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the water vapor partial pressure and saturation water vapor pressure relationship (P(H2O)/Psat(P(H2O)) ≥ 0.001) as a critical parameter during the stopping process. By maintaining this specific pressure relationship while decreasing temperature, the membrane is protected from thermal damage despite having been heated for separation operations, thus resolving the contradiction between functional reliability and damage vulnerability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If the temperature is rapidly decreased during shutdown, then energy consumption is reduced and stopping is faster, but condensation and damage may occur on the separation membrane

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumption during stoppingVSAvoidcondensation damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by continuously monitoring and controlling the relationship between water vapor partial pressure and saturation water vapor pressure (P(H2O)/Psat(P(H2O)) ≥ 0.001) during the temperature decrease process. This feedback control ensures that temperature reduction does not cause condensation on the membrane, allowing for rapid cooling with minimal energy consumption while preventing damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 effectively prevents damage to the separation membrane by controlling the environment's conditions during shutdown, ensuring the membrane's integrity and longevity.

Implementation Method 1

a separation method using a separation membrane to separate a specific substance from a mixture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

the prevention of damage on the separation membrane, which may be caused along with a decrease in temperature when the separation device is stopped

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal stress: Thermal Shock

Data Source

PatentEP4659849A1Method for stopping separation device
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 NGK INSULATORS LTD
  • EP4659849A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4659849A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4659849A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Provided is a stopping method for a separation device including a separation membrane, which enables prevention of damage on the separation membrane. The stopping method for a separation device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a stopping method for a separation device, which is to be performed after a dehydration step using a separation membrane, the separation device including the separation membrane, the stopping method including: placing the separation membrane under an environment A in which a water vapor partial pressure P(H2O) and a saturation water vapor pressure Psat(H2O) satisfy a relationship of [P(H2O)/Psat(H2O)≥0.001] and a temperature is 100°C or higher; and decreasing a temperature of the environment A.