Nitrogen Separation Using Inorganic Membrane and Pressure Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for nitrogen separation using organic and inorganic membranes face performance issues due to low-temperature gas effects and lack of detailed separation condition examination, leading to inefficient nitrogen depletion and enrichment.

Innovation Solution

A nitrogen separation system comprising a pressurizing apparatus, temperature regulation apparatus, and a nitrogen separation apparatus using a nitrogen selective permeation membrane made from inorganic material, which pressurizes the raw material gas to enhance nitrogen partial pressure and regulate temperature to optimize separation performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If an organic membrane is used for nitrogen separation, then the membrane can be manufactured with existing technology, but the membrane performance is adversely affected by supply of low-temperature gas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane manufacturingVSAvoidmembrane performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the membrane from organic to inorganic, fundamentally altering the membrane's temperature resistance properties. This allows the membrane to maintain stable performance at low temperatures while still being manufacturable with emerging inorganic membrane technologies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structures combining inorganic materials with selective permeability characteristics, creating a membrane that integrates both low-temperature stability and nitrogen separation functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If an inorganic membrane is used for nitrogen separation, then adverse effects on membrane performance by low-temperature gas are inhibited, but separation performance is insufficient due to lack of detailed separation condition examination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane performanceVSAvoidseparation performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent systematically examines and optimizes multiple separation parameters including temperature, pressure, and gas composition ratios. By adjusting these parameters, the inorganic membrane achieves enhanced nitrogen separation performance and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of operating conditions such as temperature and pressure based on feed gas composition, allowing the separation system to adapt and maximize nitrogen depletion efficiency under varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If nitrogen separation is performed without optimized pressure control, then the system complexity is reduced, but nitrogen depletion efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidnitrogen depletion efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the pressure ratio parameter (P1/P2) within a specific range to achieve efficient nitrogen separation. This parameter optimization enhances depletion efficiency while avoiding excessive system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies a moderate pressure ratio within an optimized range rather than extreme values, achieving sufficient nitrogen depletion efficiency without requiring overly complex pressure control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 system efficiently produces nitrogen-depleted and nitrogen-enriched gases by enhancing nitrogen separation performance and reducing methane loss, while maintaining energy efficiency and membrane stability.

Implementation Method 1

separate nitrogen contained in the pressurized raw material gas by use of a nitrogen selective permeation membrane configured from an inorganic material to produce a nitrogen-depleted gas and a nitrogen-enriched gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelective permeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS10449485B2Method of producing nitrogen-depleted gas, method of producing nitrogen-enriched gas, method of nitrogen separation, and system of nitrogen separation

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 NGK INSULATORS LTD

AI summary

A nitrogen separation system includes a pressurizing apparatus, a temperature regulation apparatus, a nitrogen separation apparatus. The pressurizing apparatus is configured to pressurize a raw material gas to configure a pressurized raw material gas which is in a vapor-liquid equilibrium state with a liquefied gas and contains methane as a principal component and greater than or equal to 1 mol % nitrogen. The nitrogen separation apparatus is configured to separate nitrogen contained in the pressurized raw material gas by use of a nitrogen selective permeation membrane configured from an inorganic material. The pressurization apparatus pressurizes the raw material gas so that a partial pressure of nitrogen in the pressurized raw material gas is greater than or equal to 2 times and less than or equal to 5 times a pressure of the nitrogen-enriched gas.