Spiral Membrane Element With Distributed Permeate Outlets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spiral membrane elements are inefficient in recovering permeated fluids due to long fluid movement distances and significant pressure losses, limiting their effectiveness in separating gases like carbon dioxide from mixtures.
Innovation Solution
The spiral membrane element design includes a central tube with a separation membrane wound around it, separating feed and permeation spaces, allowing permeated fluid to be delivered through both the outer circumferential surface and central tube outlets, reducing fluid movement distance and pressure loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If permeated fluid is guided through the central tube opening only, then the structure is simple, but the fluid movement distance is long and pressure loss is significant
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the single central tube outlet into multiple outlet openings distributed along the central tube. This segmentation allows permeated fluid to exit at multiple locations rather than traveling the full length to a single outlet, significantly reducing the average fluid movement distance and pressure loss while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-point outlet (0D) to a distributed linear array of outlets (1D) along the central tube. This dimensional change allows permeated fluid to exit at multiple positions along the tube length, reducing the maximum fluid travel distance and pressure drop without adding complex three-dimensional structures
2Device complexity
If permeated fluid is guided through the central tube opening only, then the structure is simple, but the permeated fluid recovery efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the single outlet into multiple outlet openings along the central tube, the invention enables more efficient collection of permeated fluid generated at different positions along the spiral membrane. This increases recovery efficiency without complicating the overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed outlet openings enable continuous collection of permeated fluid along the entire length of the central tube, rather than collecting fluid only at the end. This continuous action improves recovery efficiency by capturing permeated fluid as it is generated throughout the membrane area
3Device complexity
If fluid movement distance is long, then the central tube can be simple, but pressure loss increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The central tube is segmented with multiple outlet openings that divide the long fluid path into shorter segments. Each segment has its own outlet, reducing the maximum distance permeated fluid must travel and minimizing pressure loss in each segment while keeping the tube itself simple
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 design enhances the efficiency of permeated fluid recovery by minimizing pressure loss and optimizing fluid movement, achieving high permeation rates of gases such as carbon dioxide, particularly when operated under decompression or sweep methods.
Implementation Method 1
a separation membrane that is wound around the central tube and separates a feed fluid into a permeated fluid and a non-permeated fluid
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a new spiral membrane element suitable for recovering a permeated fluid efficiently. A spiral membrane element of the present invention includes: a central tube; a separation membrane that is wound around the central tube and separates a feed fluid into a permeated fluid and a non-permeated fluid; and a feed space and a permeation space separated from each other by the separation membrane. The permeation space communicates with an outer space of the spiral membrane element via an outer circumferential surface of the spiral membrane element.