Segmented Hollow Fiber Module for Larger Membrane Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for increasing membrane area in hollow fiber modules, such as scaling up fiber bundles or connecting standard modules in parallel, face production challenges and risks of incorrect assembly or leakage, especially with large bundles of fibers.
Innovation Solution
A hollow fiber module design comprising a plurality of cartridges with end caps, connectors, and a cover tube, utilizing a central rod for stability, and alternating tube arrangements for improved mechanical stability and even fluid distribution, with sealing members to prevent leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the number of hollow fibers in the bundle is increased to obtain higher membrane area, then the membrane area is improved, but the production process becomes complicated and difficult to pot uniformly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large bundle of hollow fibers into multiple smaller sub-bundles, each contained within its own shell. This segmentation allows each sub-bundle to be potted independently using standard centrifugal potting processes, avoiding the complications of handling excessively large bundles while achieving the required total membrane area through aggregation of multiple cartridges.
2Manufacturing precision
If centrifugal potting is used for large bundles of fibers, then uniform casting can be achieved, but the method becomes infeasible above a certain threshold size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large module into multiple smaller cartridges, each with its own shell containing a manageable bundle of fibers. This allows centrifugal potting to be applied effectively to each small cartridge individually, maintaining manufacturing precision while achieving adaptability to large overall module sizes through the aggregation of multiple segmented units.
3Ease of manufacture
If static potting is used for large bundles of fibers, then the production process is simpler, but uniform casting and avoidance of air bubbles becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the large bundle into multiple smaller sub-bundles within separate shells, the patent enables the use of centrifugal potting for each small cartridge. This segmentation transforms the difficult task of uniformly potting a large bundle into the manageable task of uniformly potting multiple small cartridges, thereby improving manufacturing precision while keeping the overall production process relatively simple.
4Area of stationary object
If standard modules are connected in parallel to increase membrane area, then the membrane area is increased, but the process is laborious and increases the risk of incorrect assembly or leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple hollow fiber cartridges into a single integrated module with a common first end cap and common second end cap. This unified structure eliminates the need for multiple external connections between separate modules, thereby reducing assembly complexity and minimizing the risk of leakage at connection points while achieving the desired total membrane area.
Data Source
AI summary
A hollow fiber module includes hollow fiber cartridges. A port receives a second solution to be treated in a shell side volume and another port for discharging the treated second solution. A first end cap has an inlet for a first solution and a distributer for distributing the first solution to a first end of the hollow fiber cartridges. A second end cap has a collector for collecting the treated first solution from the second end of the hollow fiber cartridges and an outlet for the treated first solution. A first connector has an inlet for the second solution and a distributer for distributing the second solution to a port of the hollow fiber cartridges. A second connector has a collector for collecting the treated second solution from the other port of the hollow fiber cartridges and an outlet for the treated second solution.