Multi-element Spiral-wound Membrane Separator for Compact CO2 Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional membrane separators with single elements result in inefficient use of membrane housing materials, complex layouts, and high equipment costs due to extensive connecting pipelines, limiting the economic viability and space utilization in industrial-scale gas separation, particularly for CO2 capture.
Innovation Solution
A multi-element membrane separator design incorporating multiple spiral-wound membrane elements within a single housing, utilizing baffles, perforated plates, and modular connections to reduce material usage and enhance packing density, with a compact arrangement that allows for flexible assembly and reduced pressure loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional single-element membrane separators are used, then each separator has simple structure and easy manufacturing, but the equipment investment and floor space increase significantly due to needing hundreds or thousands of separators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple spiral-wound membrane elements (at least 3 elements) into a single membrane separator housing, merging what would traditionally require hundreds or thousands of individual separators into one compact unit. This reduces the total number of separators needed from hundreds/thousands to just one or a few multi-element units, significantly reducing equipment investment and floor space while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular design
2Ease of operation
If conventional single-element membrane separators are used, then each separator has simple connection requirements, but numerous connecting pipelines and complex layout are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple membrane elements within a single housing, eliminating the need for numerous connecting pipelines between separate separators. The integrated design allows feed gas to enter through a single feed gas interface and permeate gas to exit through a single permeate gas interface, dramatically simplifying the pipeline layout from hundreds of connections to minimal connections while maintaining operational ease
3Ease of operation
If conventional single-element membrane separators are used, then there is considerable gap between separators for installation, but space utilization rate is lower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple membrane elements into a single compact housing unit, eliminating the need for gaps between numerous separate separators. This integration maximizes space utilization by removing the considerable gaps that would exist between multiple individual separators, reducing the overall floor space required while maintaining ease of installation through modular housing design
4Quantity of substance
If conventional single-element membrane separators are used, then material usage per separator is minimal, but membrane housing materials are wasted due to inefficient use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple membrane elements into a single housing, optimizing the utilization of membrane housing materials. Instead of using minimal but wasted material for hundreds of separate single-element separators, the integrated design efficiently uses materials for one or a few multi-element units, reducing overall material consumption and waste while maintaining the necessary structural requirements
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 multi-element design achieves a higher CO2 recovery rate of 66.9%-67.8% with reduced equipment costs and energy consumption, while increasing CO2 content in permeate gas from 36.3%-37.0% to 51.0%, and allows for modular assembly and efficient space utilization.
Implementation Method 1
Gas components with a fast permeation rate preferentially permeate through the membrane under the driving force of the pressure difference
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a multi-element membrane separator and separation method based on spiral-wound membrane elements. It includes a membrane housing, spiral-wound membrane elements, and baffles on both sides of the membrane housing, designed to secure the spiral-wound membrane elements. The permeate tubes of the spiral-wound membrane elements are connected to the openings in the perforated plates. Sealing rings are respectively provided at the connections of the permeate tubes and the perforated plate openings. This multi-element membrane separator enables a more compact arrangement of membrane elements, reducing the footprint of the membrane separation device. It also reduces the use of materials such as membrane housing, pipelines, and connecting fittings, thereby lowering equipment costs and the difficulty of membrane device assembly.