Separation Membrane Element with High-Crystalline Polypropylene Channel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Separation membrane elements face issues with curling and poor handleability during production, which affects their performance and efficiency, especially under pressure conditions.

Innovation Solution

A separation membrane element with a permeate-side channel member composed of high-crystalline polypropylene and a porous supporting layer, where the high-crystalline polypropylene content ranges from 40 to 95% by weight and has a melting endothermic energy amount of 20 to 70 J/g, and a sheet channel member with projections containing the same composition, ensuring stability and handleability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If separation membrane or sheet channel member is used to achieve high-performance water production under pressure, then water production performance is improved, but the separation membrane or sheet channel member curls and handleability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater production performanceVSAvoidhandleability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the channel member material by specifying a melting point of 160°C or higher and a melting endothermic energy amount of 30 J/g or more. These parameter changes ensure the channel member maintains structural stability under pressure (improving water production performance) while preventing curling during production (improving handleability).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite material composition requirements, specifying that the channel member contains 40-95 wt% high-crystalline polypropylene and 5-60 wt% low-crystalline α-olefin polymer. This composite structure combines the high melting point and structural stability of high-crystalline polypropylene with the flexibility and processability of low-crystalline α-olefin polymer, resolving the contradiction between performance and handleability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If separation membrane or sheet channel member is used to achieve high-performance water production under pressure, then water production performance is improved, but the separation membrane or sheet channel member curls and manufacturing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater production performanceVSAvoidcurling control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the thermal parameters of the channel member material by specifying a melting point of 160°C or higher and a melting endothermic energy amount of 30 J/g or more. These parameter changes ensure the channel member maintains structural stability under pressure (improving water production performance) while preventing curling during production (improving manufacturing precision).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite material composition requirements, specifying that the channel member contains 40-95 wt% high-crystalline polypropylene and 5-60 wt% low-crystalline α-olefin polymer. This composite structure combines the high melting point and structural stability of high-crystalline polypropylene with the flexibility and processability of low-crystalline α-olefin polymer, resolving the contradiction between performance and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution prevents curling and enhances handleability, allowing for stable performance under pressure conditions and improved water production efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the permeate-side channel member includes a composition containing at least a high-crystalline polypropylene (A) and satisfies the following requirements (a) and (b): (a) a content of the high-crystalline polypropylene (A) in the composition is from 40 to 95% by weight; and (b) the permeate-side channel member has a melting endothermic energy amount (ΔH) of from 20 to 70 J/g

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Data Source

PatentEP3064266B1Separation membrane element
Publication Date: 2020.04.15 TORAY INDUSTRIES INC
  • EP3064266B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3064266B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3064266B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention provides a separation membrane and a separation membrane element which are capable of exhibiting good water production performance and excellent in handleability and process passage. A separation membrane of the present invention is a separation membrane including: a separation membrane main body having a feed-side face and a permeate-side face; and a permeate-side channel member adhered to the permeate-side face of the separation membrane main body, in which the permeate-side channel member includes a composition containing at least a high-crystalline polypropylene (A) and satisfies the following requirements (a) and (b): (a) a content of the high-crystalline polypropylene (A) in the composition is from 40 to 95% by weight; and (b) the permeate-side channel member has a melting endothermic energy amount (ΔH) of from 20 to 70 J/g.