Parallel Gas Separation Membrane Module with Sealing Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas separation membrane modules arranged in series suffer from performance degradation of downstream elements compared to upstream elements, leading to inefficient operation and increased pressure drop, and require access to both ends of the pressure vessel for parallel configurations.
Innovation Solution
A gas separation membrane module with multiple hollow fiber elements arranged in parallel within a tubular pressure vessel, featuring a sealing body with a composite seal that allows for a gap between the circumferential edge and the pressure vessel inner surface, enabling non-permeate gas withdrawal from the middle and maintaining a gas-tight seal without mechanical assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If membrane elements are arranged in series within a pressure vessel, then the module can operate with feed gas entering at one end, but downstream membrane elements experience performance degradation and increased pressure drop compared to upstream elements
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure vessel is segmented into multiple independent chambers, each containing membrane elements that receive feed gas directly. This segmentation allows each segment to operate independently with consistent performance, eliminating the cumulative pressure drop and performance degradation that occurs in series arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional series arrangement (feed gas flowing through elements sequentially along a single path) to a multi-dimensional parallel arrangement where multiple feed gas streams enter simultaneously at different locations along the pressure vessel, creating independent flow paths that maintain consistent performance across all elements.
2Productivity
If membrane elements are arranged in parallel to maintain uniform performance, then access to both ends of the pressure vessel is required for installation and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure vessel is divided into separate chambers that can be independently accessed. Each chamber contains a subset of the parallel membrane elements, allowing maintenance personnel to access and service specific chambers from a single end of the pressure vessel without requiring access to both ends.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate access points or removable sections in the pressure vessel structure that provide access to the membrane elements from one end. These intermediaries allow maintenance operations on parallel elements without requiring simultaneous access to both vessel ends.
3Reliability
If a seal is provided to prevent feed gas leakage in series configurations, then the seal must withstand high pressure differential but is difficult to install without mechanical assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible sealing elements such as elastomeric O-rings or bellows that can be easily compressed and installed into sealing grooves. These flexible seals can withstand the pressure differential while being simple enough to install by hand or with basic tools, eliminating the need for complex mechanical assistance during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system uses materials with appropriate pressure-temperature characteristics that maintain seal integrity under operating conditions. The seal geometry and material properties are selected to provide sufficient sealing force at the operating pressure differential while remaining installable without specialized equipment.
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
This configuration prevents feed gas leakage, maintains efficient operation by evenly distributing pressure, and allows for parallel membrane element arrangement without requiring access to both ends of the pressure vessel, thereby reducing performance degradation and pressure drop.
Implementation Method 1
a composite seal that is disposed around a circumferential edge of the sealing body in a groove formed in between the first and second sealing plates and that is compressed against an inner surface of the pressure vessel to provide a seal between a side thereof that is exposed to feed gas and a side thereof that is exposed to non-permeate gas
Implementation Method 2
More permeable gases permeate across the fiber wall into the fiber bores
Data Source
AI summary
Parallel membrane elements are arranged in parallel within a pressure vessel. A sealing body is disposed within the pressure vessel and is compressed against an inner surface of the pressure vessel to provide a leak-right seal in between a feed gas side of the sealing body and a non-permeate side of the sealing body. The sealing body may be slid within the pressure vessel without damaging the sealing body and in all cases without requiring mechanical assistance.