Monolithic Separation Membrane With Variable Partition Wall Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
The monolithic separation membrane structure experiences durability issues due to pressure accumulation near the discharge flow path, particularly where it joins the water collecting cell, leading to a need for improved pressure resistance characteristics.
Innovation Solution
The structure features a porous support body with filtration cells on both end surfaces and water collecting cells closed on these surfaces, with discharge flow paths opening on the outer peripheral surface. The base body has a thicker partition wall between filtration cells and water collecting cells, enhancing pressure resistance by varying the partition wall thickness to distribute load more evenly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the partition wall thickness is made uniform throughout the base body, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the pressure resistance characteristics deteriorate due to load accumulation near the discharge flow path
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall thickness is varied locally within the base body. Specifically, the partition wall between the filtration cell and water collecting cell (first partition wall) has a different thickness than the partition wall between adjacent filtration cells (second partition wall). This local variation in thickness allows the structure to better distribute and withstand pressure loads in critical areas without requiring a complete redesign of the entire base body, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and pressure resistance.
2Strength
If the partition wall thickness between filtration cell and water collecting cell is increased, then the pressure resistance characteristics are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly increasing the thickness of all partition walls throughout the base body, the invention selectively increases the thickness only of the first partition wall between the filtration cell and water collecting cell. This localized approach improves pressure resistance where it is most needed (at the discharge flow path location) while minimizing the increase in overall structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty.
Data Source
AI summary
A monolithic separation membrane structure according to the present invention includes a porous support body and a separation membrane. The porous support body has a plurality of filtration cells opening at both end surfaces, a plurality of water collecting cells closed on the both end surfaces, a plurality of discharge flow paths running through the plurality of water collecting cells and opening on an outer peripheral surface, and a monolithic base body including the outer peripheral surface. The separation membrane is formed on inside surfaces of the plurality of filtration cells. The plurality of filtration cells includes a first filtration cell and a second filtration cell which are adjacent to each other. The plurality of water collecting cells include water collecting cell which is adjacent to the first filtration cell and are separated from the second filtration cells. A thickness of a first partition wall of the base body between the first filtration cell and the water collecting cell is thicker than a thickness of a second partition wall of the base body between the first filtration cell and the second filtration cell.