Mixed Gas Separation Membrane with Side Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixed gas separation apparatuses using monolith-type separation membranes face limitations in improving separation performance due to the ineffectiveness of sweep gas in accelerating permeation for cells distant from the flow path, particularly those near the central portion of the porous support.
Innovation Solution
A mixed gas separation apparatus with a column-like porous support having a matrix of cells, where membrane-formed cells have open ends and an exhaust cell with closed ends, and side flow paths extending from the outer surface to the exhaust cell, allowing a sweep gas to be supplied to the side flow paths to enhance permeation by reducing partial pressure and improve separation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a sweep gas is flowed into the permeate side to accelerate permeation, then the permeation rate of to-be-permeated gas is improved, but the effect is limited for cells distant from the sweep gas flow path
Solution Approach 1:
The porous support is divided into multiple cells (first cells with separation membranes and second cells without), creating segmented flow paths. Sweep gas is supplied to both the feed side and permeate side, allowing different regions of the support to be effectively utilized. This segmentation enables sweep gas to reach cells that would otherwise be distant from the primary flow path, improving uniformity across the entire support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a dual-sided sweep gas supply approach, utilizing both the feed side and permeate side of the separation membrane. This creates additional flow dimensions, allowing sweep gas to approach cells from multiple directions rather than relying solely on a single flow path, thereby improving permeation acceleration for distant cells.
2Reliability
If the concentration of to-be-permeated gas in mixed gas is low, then separation selectivity is improved, but permeation rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operating parameters by introducing sweep gas flow on both the feed side and permeate side of the separation membrane. This dual-parameter adjustment (feed side sweep gas flow rate and permeate side sweep gas flow rate) allows optimization of both selectivity and permeation rate, maintaining high separation performance while improving overall productivity even for low-concentration gases.
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 apparatus achieves improved separation performance by efficiently accelerating the permeation of high-permeability gases through the separation membrane, even for cells distant from the sweep gas flow path, thereby enhancing the overall separation efficiency of mixed gases.
Implementation Method 1
a separation membrane formed on the inner surfaces of the cells... the specific gas (hereinafter, referred to as the 'to-be-permeated gas') in the mixed gas permeates the gas separation membrane structure and flows to the other space
Implementation Method 2
a sweep gas is flowed into the space on the permeate side so as to lower the partial pressure of the to-be-permeated gas in the space on the permeate side and to accelerate the permeation of the to-be-permeated gas
Data Source
AI summary
Each of first cells has both longitudinal ends open and has an inner surface on which a separation membrane is formed. A second cell has both longitudinal ends closed. A slit extends from an outer surface of the support to the second cell. A sweep gas is supplied to the slit. A/C is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 50, and B/C is greater than or equal to 0.5 and less than or equal to 20, where A is a sum of cross-sectional areas of every first cell perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, B is a sum of cross-sectional areas of every second cell perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and C is a sum of opening areas of every slit that is located in one of the longitudinal end portions on the outer surface of the support.