Membrane Spacer With Mixing Elements For Mass Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spacers in membrane modules often face challenges in achieving high turbulence and mass transfer efficiency while maintaining low flow resistance, which is crucial for efficient separation processes.
Innovation Solution
A spacer with mixing elements is designed as a three-dimensional net with polygon-shaped meshes, featuring support beams and connectors that create turbulence by forcing fluid to flow around the partition in multiple ways, thereby enhancing mixing without significantly increasing flow resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional spacers with simple three-dimensional net structure are used, then flow resistance is low, but turbulence and mass transfer efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is divided into multiple functional segments: support beams for structural integrity, connectors for joining, and mixing elements for turbulence generation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall low flow resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional two-dimensional flat spacers to three-dimensional net structures with polygon-shaped meshes. This dimensional enhancement creates additional flow paths and turbulence zones, significantly improving mass transfer efficiency while maintaining acceptable flow resistance
2Productivity
If spacers with complex mixing elements are added to enhance turbulence, then mass transfer efficiency improves, but flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
Mixing elements are strategically positioned at specific locations within the spacer structure where turbulence is most beneficial for mass transfer. The mixing elements are not uniformly distributed but placed locally to create eddies and enhance mixing in critical zones without obstructing overall flow
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer utilizes a porous three-dimensional net structure with polygon-shaped meshes that allows fluid to pass through multiple paths. This porous design reduces flow resistance by distributing flow across numerous channels while the mixing elements create localized turbulence to enhance mass transfer
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 spacer effectively promotes fluid mixing and mass transfer while maintaining low flow resistance, leading to improved efficiency in membrane separation processes and reduced energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
A typical mixing element comprises a beam in contact with the membrane which narrows the cross section of the flow causing turbulence which enhances dispersion
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a spacer with mixing elements, particularly for membrane modules. The spacer comprises a three-dimensional net with mesh (1) having the shape of polygons with number of sides n≥5, with at least one pair of sides made of support beams (2) which are not in contact with one another, parallel to one another, preferably inclined from the axis defining the direction of the flow, each of which fits in the volume of a cylinder and is in contact with the surface of membranes (4), with at least one pair of vertices of the sides made of support beams (2) is connected with one another by means of two connectors (3) comprising mixing elements which are not in contact with the surface of both membranes (4) and forming between them an angle β<180°, each of the connectors (3) fits in the volume of a solid formed by twisting a cylinder along its longitudinal axis by 90°, the spacer having, at least on part of its surface, mixing elements fixed in the net mesh, each of which is made of two beams (101) of the height of 0.1-10 mm, preferably 0.3 mm, being support points of the membrane (103), which are in contact with the membrane (103) and comprise side edges of a polyhedron being a mesh of the net and are connected by at least two connectors (102a) and (102b), intersecting at an angle (γ) in the range of 0-180°, preferably 30°, or interweaving in at least one point of a flat projection on a plain defined by axes of the beams (101). The spacer makes it possible to minimize fluid flow resistance and operate with a high linear flow velocity in constant conditions.