GB2091125A - A process and apparatus for the production of a hollow fibre bundle - Google Patents
A process and apparatus for the production of a hollow fibre bundle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2091125A GB2091125A GB8138719A GB8138719A GB2091125A GB 2091125 A GB2091125 A GB 2091125A GB 8138719 A GB8138719 A GB 8138719A GB 8138719 A GB8138719 A GB 8138719A GB 2091125 A GB2091125 A GB 2091125A
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- hollow
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- hollow fibre
- hollow fibres
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- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 115
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 20
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 36
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 title claims description 36
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 210000001520 comb Anatomy 0.000 description 15
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 7
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- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 244000273256 Phragmites communis Species 0.000 description 3
- 235000014676 Phragmites communis Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000008280 blood Substances 0.000 description 2
- 210000004369 blood Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 239000001913 cellulose Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920002678 cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 238000001784 detoxification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920003002 synthetic resin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000000057 synthetic resin Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000009827 uniform distribution Methods 0.000 description 2
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002390 adhesive tape Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000006229 carbon black Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004568 cement Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- ZURAKLKIKYCUJU-UHFFFAOYSA-N copper;azane Chemical compound N.[Cu+2] ZURAKLKIKYCUJU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000000502 dialysis Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000578 dry spinning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000975 dye Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910002804 graphite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010439 graphite Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035699 permeability Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008929 regeneration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011069 regeneration method Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 239000003381 stabilizer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002166 wet spinning Methods 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F21/00—Constructions of heat-exchange apparatus characterised by the selection of particular materials
- F28F21/06—Constructions of heat-exchange apparatus characterised by the selection of particular materials of plastics material
- F28F21/062—Constructions of heat-exchange apparatus characterised by the selection of particular materials of plastics material the heat-exchange apparatus employing tubular conduits
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D63/00—Apparatus in general for separation processes using semi-permeable membranes
- B01D63/02—Hollow fibre modules
- B01D63/021—Manufacturing thereof
- B01D63/0233—Manufacturing thereof forming the bundle
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Separation Using Semi-Permeable Membranes (AREA)
- Yarns And Mechanical Finishing Of Yarns Or Ropes (AREA)
Abstract
In the production of a hollow fibre bundle, e.g. for mass or heat transfer, consisting of hollow fibres (1) which are spaced from each other and run in substantially straight lines, from continuous hollow fibres (1), the ends of the fibres (1) are guided separately and simultaneously through first clamping devices (2) into thread guide devices (3) (Figure 1a). With the fibres (1) secured by means of the clamping devices (2), the fibre ends are subsequently guided through the thread guide device (3), through openings (7,7a,7b) arranged in the desired arrangement of the bundle in at least two perforated plates (4,4a,4b) and into a second clamping device (5) (Figure 1b). The first clamping devices (2) are released, the fibre ends advanced by movement of the second clamping devices (5) a predetermined distance from the perforated plates (4,4a,4b) and the perforated plates (4,4a,4b) are advanced a shorter distance to differing extents from the filament guide devices (3) (Figure 1c). The hollow fibres are cut (13) to length downstream of the filaments guide devices (3), the clamping devices (5) released and the bundle removed, <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
A process and apparatus for the production of a hollow fibre bundle
The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for the production from continuous hol lowfibres, of a hollow fibre bundle consisting of hollow fibres which are arranged spaced at intervals from each other and run in substantially straight lines.
Hollow fibre bundles of this type are necessary for the production of devices in which the transfer of thermal energy or materials takes place through the wall of hollow fibres which may act as a membrane, the hollow fibre bundle effecting the transfer also possibly existing in the form of a hollow fibre module. The arrangement of the hollow fibres in the form of modules has the advantage that, like the known filter cartridges, they may be exchanged rapidly and simply for new or regenerated hollow fibre modules after, for example exhaustion, contamination or damage. The above-mentioned devices are being used more and more in industrial as well as medical and other spheres, and pure heat transfer, pure mass transfer, pure separation of material or a combination thereof take place, depending on the struture of the hollow fibres.
In order to produce the said transfer devices or the modules, the two ends of the hollow fibre bundles are embedded in a curing sealing compound, of which a proportion is removed again after hardening; more specifically, sufficient is removed to clear the openings of the hollow fibres again, so as to achieve a free flow through the hollow fibres.
Such hollow fibre bundles and the transfer devices produced from them are known per se, as, for example, from U.S. Patent No.3,228,456. The production process of the hollow fibre bundle disclosed therein is not, however, described in that document.
On the other hand, processes for the production of hollow fibre bundles are known form U.S. Patent No.
3,391,041 and U.S. Patent No. 3,755,034. In the process known from U.S. Patent No.3,391,041, continuous hollow fibres are wound helically round a core, the individual hollow fibre windings are then secured against slipping by adhesive tapes and the hollow fibre coil is subsequently cut open along one of its generating lines. The hollow fibre bundle is then spread out flat and this sheet configuration is subsequently rolled into a hollow fibre bundle consisting of hollow fibres which are arranged at irregular intervals from each other, are of equal lengths and run in approximately straight lines parallel to each other. The hollow fibre bundle described therein has a round cross-section. In the process described therein the above-mentioned U.S.
Patent No.3,755,034, continuous hollow fibres are initially wound helically round two threads stretched at a distance from each other, this strip configuration is then rolled up, the hollow fibres are stuck at least on one edge of the strip by a solidifying synthetic resin and the hollow fibre openings are then cleared by partial removal of the solidified synthetic resin.
The hollow fibre bundle defined therein has a round cross-section, the individual hollow fibres being arranged at equal intervals from each other.
The production of hollow fibre bundles by these known processes is, as can easily be seen, expensive and time-consuming and has additional disadvantages which will be revealed by the following description of the present invention.
An object of the present invention is therefore to propose a process by which a hollow fibre bundle consisting of hollow fibres which are arranged spaced at intervals from each other and run in substantially straight lines may be produced rapidly and simply in a single operation using continuous hollow fibres and an apparatus for carrying out this process.It is preferred that such hollow fibre bun dles will permit hollow fibre modules to be produced from them, fulfill the required design conditions for pure counter-current and co-current flow, pure cross-current or cross-counter current flow or cross co-current flow, and also permit hollow fibre bundles of any cross-sectional shape to be produced, permit, furthermore, any desired arrangement and distribution of the hollow fibres within the bundle to be achieved, permit, moreover, hollow fibres of differing size or structure also to be arranged in any desired distribution and any desired proportions in a hollow fibre bundle and, whats more, allows the production of large numbers of hollow fibre bundles to be carried out fully automatically.
According to the present invention, there is provided a process for the production of a hollow fibre bundle consisting of hollow fibres which are arranged spaced at intervals from each other and run in substantially straight lines, using continuous hollow fibres, in which the number of continuous hollow fibres used is equal to the number of hollow fibres contained in the finished hollow fibre bundle; wherein one end of each of the continuous hollow fibres is guided separately, but simultaneously with the other hollow fibres, through a first clamping device allocated thereto, into a filament guide device arranged thereafter; with the hollow fibres simultaneously secured by means of the first clamping device, said one end is subsequently guided through the filament guide device and separately, but simultaneously with the other hollow fibre ends through openings, arranged downstream of the filament guide device, in at least two perforated plates, into a second clamping device arranged downstream of the openings in the perforated plates; once the first clamping devices have been released to release the hollow fibres, the hollow fibre ends are moved together by means of the second clamping devices a predetermfined distance from the perforated plates in the longitudinal direction of the hollow fibres; the perforated plates are moved a shorter distance and to differing extents from the filament guide devices; the hollow fibres are cut to length downstream of the filament guide devices located in their starting position; the second clamping devices are operated to release the hollow fibre ends; the hollow fibre bundle is removed from the region of activity of the said devices, and the first or the second clamping device is brought back into its repective starting position.
The second clamping device and the perforated plates may move in succession or simultaneously in the lengthwise direction of the hollow fibres.
The hollow fibre ends may be guided through the thread guide devices and through the openings in the perforated plates arranged thereafter into the second clamping devices arranged downstream of the openings thereof in such a way that the thread guide devices, the perforated plates and the second clamping devices are moved simultaneously towards the first clamping devices, while they secure the hollow fibres. However, it is also possible to leave the thread guide devices, the perforated plates and the second clamping devices at rest and to move the first clamping devices towards the thread guide devices, while they simultaneously secure the hollow fibres. Finally, it is also possible to allow the above-mentioned devices to move towards each other simultaneously or in succession for the abovementioned purpose.If use is made of the last two mentioned possibilities, it is advisable to provide at least one additional auxiliary thread guide device upstream of the first clamping devices for each hollow fibre.
The use of perforated plates causes the hollow fibres to be held at intervals from each other, the cross-sectional shape of the hollow fibre bundle or the arrangement and distribution of the hollow fibres in the hollow fibre bundle being determined by the shape of the perforated plates and by the arrangement of the openings therein. In this way, therefore, it is possible to produce a hollow fibre bundle having, for example, a round, triangular or rectangular cross-section or a cross-section which is shaped in any other way, for example, annular. The term annular cross-section includes not only a circular cross-section but also, for example, an oval or elliptical annular cross-section and also a crosssection of the type formed if the corners of a triangular, rectangular or polygonal ring are round
ed off.In order to produce an exchange device in which the hollow fibres are surrounded by a transverse flow, it may be advantageous to produce a
hollow fibre bundle by the process according to the
invention in which the density of hollow fibres varies
in the direction of flow. Such a hollow fibre bundle
may be provided, for example, with a trapezoidal cross-section by means of suitably shaped perfo
rated plates, the same number of hollow fibres being
arranged in each hollow fibre plane so that the
interval between hollowfibres in the hollow fibre
bundle is greatest on its broad base side and
smallest on its narrow base side and thus the latter
side has the highest hollow fibre density.It is also
possible to use perforated plates in which the
openings are arranged only in a single row, in order
thus to produce single-layered hollow fibre bundles
which may be stacked on top of one another in
optional numbers, to produce an exchange device,
in which case it is also possible to arrange the
individual hollow fibre layers in such a way that the
hollow fibres in adjacent layers cross over at any
predeterminable angle without touching each other.
The perforated plates therefore generally remain
also in the finished hollow fibre bundle. They should always be replaced before the production of another hollow fibre bundle.
The number of perforated plates used is based on the length of the hollow fibre bundle, the rigidity of the hollow fibres, and/or on the subsequent use thereof. In order to permit a fluid stream to flow in the lengthwise direction of the hollow fibres through the hollow fibre bundle, perforated plates in which the openings are larger than the cross-section of the hollow fibres may be used without further ado. It is also possible not to occupy all openings in the perforated plates with hollow fibres, for this purpose. Moreover, perforated plates having differing perforation intervals may also be used, thereby to produce a hollow fibre bundle in which the hollow fibres do not run parallel to each other. Such a hollowfibre bundle has, for example, the shape of a truncated pyramid or cone.
It goes without saying that the first threading of each hollow fibre, at least into the thread guide device arranged downstream of the first clamping device, has initially to be carried out manually and that this threading process must be repeated once one unit of the continuous hollow fibres, for example a bobbin, is used up, unless it is possible to knot the end of the used up unit to the beginning of the subsequent unit.
Continuous hollow fibres of any make-up may be used for carrying out the process according to the invention. Thus, for example, hollow fibres wound into a spool shape as well as those which have been deposited in a loop shape to form a package, may be used.
To produce a hollow fibre bundle by the process according to the invention it is possible to use any known hollow fibres which are suitable for heat transfer, for material transfer, for the separation of materials and for the exchange of materials, thus, for example, for osmosis, reverse osmosis, dialysis, detoxification of the blood and the like, in which case the hollow fibres may be produced by a dry or wet spinning process or by an extrusion process. The cross-sectional shape of the hollow fibres used is arbitrary, the size of the cross-section of the hollow fibres and the wall thickness thereof having no upper or lower limits. Hollow fibres with a circular crosssection may have an external diameter, of, for example, a few lim, but also of Smm and greater.
The wall thickness of the hollow fibres, may be, for example, 5 #m. Hollow fibres, in particular, having a heat transmission coefficient lying in the range of
1,500 to 4,500 W/m2K and higher have proven to be particularly advantageous for the production of a hollow fibre bundle proposed for heat transfer. To increase the heat transfer capacity of such a hollow fibre bundle, it may be advantageous to use hollow fibres containing materials which are good conductors of heat such as for example, metals or graphite,
in dust or powder form. The hollow fibres may also
contain, alternatively or additionally, for example, fillers, additives, stabilisers, carbon black and dyes.
By using porous hollow fibres, it is possible to
increase considerably, in an advantageous manner, the range of uses of the hollow fibre bundle
produced from them.
When using a hollow fibre bundle produced according to the invention for the detoxification of blood or the separation of alcohol from drinks, hollow fibres having lower permeability for molecules with a molecular weight exceeding 100, for example, having proven eminently suitable, hollow fibres having maximum selectivity, i.e. a separating boundary which is as sharp as possible, being preferred. These hollow fibres may be produced, for example, by regeneration of cellulose from copper ammonium cellulose solutions.
The size of the hollow fibre bundle produced according to the invention is subject to no restrictions within the range of practical dimensions for this purpose, and this applies both to its length and to its cross-section.
For example, conventional adhesives, curing sealing compounds, cast resings or special cement may be used for embedding the hollow fibre ends.
Depending on the struture of the hollow fibres used for the hollow fibre bundle produced according to the invention, the bundle may be used for the transfer of heat and of materials for both liquid and gaseous fluids.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for carrying out the process of the present invention. This apparatus comprises for each hollow fibre to be processed at least one first clamping device, at least one thread guide device, a cutting device arranged downstream of the filament guide device, at least two holding devices for at least two perforated plates as well as at least one second clamping device, the first clamping device and/or the thread guide device, the holders for the perforated plates as well as the second clamping device being arranged so as to move to and fro in the longitudinal direction of the hollow fibres.
To produce hollow fibre bundles with hollow fibres running approximately parallel to each other, the above-mentioned devices of the apparatus according to the invention are preferably arranged in alignment, that is to say arranged in such a way that each hollow fibre runs on a straight path, i.e. not curved or deflected path through all devices when the clamping devices are not actuated. The clamping and thread guide devices are preferably arranged on base plates, holders or similar components which can move to and fro together in the said direction, but they may also be arranged in individual groups on several such components arranged in succession, the arrangement of the respective devices and of the perforated plates in planes running perpendicularly to the longitudinal axes of the hollow fibres generally being preferred for reasons of space.
However, there is in general, no reason why the said devices should not be arranged in a different manner if necessary. The movement of the clamping and thread guide devices and holding devices for the perforated plates may be effected via electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic driving mechanisms.
The time sequence of the operation and paths of movement of the individual devices, the limiting of the path length for each of the said devices etc., may be carried out manually, but it is advisable, particularly for the production of large numbers of hollow fibre bundles, to carry out all stages of the process mechanically and fully automatically. The mechanic- al, electrical and measuring and control devices needed for this purpose as well as the mechanical and electrical connection thereof are familiar to the average skilled man having knowledge of the process according to the invention described herein and therefore need not be described in detail herein.
For example, perforated plates, so-called filament combs or reeds arranged perpendicularly to each other, filament guide eyelets arranged on rods and the like may be used as filament guide devices.
The means (called perforated plates) which maintain the interval between the adjacent hollow fibres are to be interpreted in the context of the invention to include, for example, a plurality of intersecting rods, a wire mesh, a plastics grid and other devices providing spaced openings, through whose free openings the hollow fibres are and will be guided.
The term clamping device in the context of the present invention refers to a device which places sufficient resistance against the movement of the hollow fibres by means of tensile stress. It therefore also covers, for example so-called thread grid brakes or other thread deflecting members by means of which sufficiently high movement arrest is attainable, as well as, for example, those which operate by vacuum, which grip the hollow fibres between two surfaces and can thus secure them. A device can be considered to be of adequate design if the braking power is adjustable to lie in the range of the tensile strength of the hollow fibres. Such a clamping device can consist, for example, of three perforated plates arranged in succesion, of which the openings are in alignment during the introduction and passage of the hollow fibres.Forthe"gripping" of the hollow fibres, i.e. for the production of a sufficient braking power to arrest the passage of the hollow fibres through the openings, it is possible in such a device, for example, to shift each second perforated plate any distance parallel to the stationary perforated plates, i.e. perpendicularly to the longitudinal axes of the hollow fibres, so that the hollow fibres are deflected and a resistance is placed against the continued movement of the hollow fibres. The clamping device may be actuated mechanically, electrically, hydraulically or pneumatically.
The number of above-mentioned clamping and thread guide devices as well as the number of openings in the perforated plates is obviously based on the number of hollow fibres which the finished hollow fibres is to contain. This number is not subject to any restrictions, as the process according to the invention, and the apparatus according to the invention proposed for carrying it out is just as suitable for the processing of a few hollow fibres as for the simultaneous processing of thousands of hollow fibres into a hollow fibre bundle.
To prevent kinking of the hollow fibres during the introduction or passage through the abovementioned devices, it is advisable to provide between the first clamping devices and the thread guide devices, for each hollow fibre, additional thread guide devices at intervals which are equal to each other but which vary.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures la to ic show in a simplified diagrammatic representation three stages of an embodiment of the process according to the present invention,
Figures 2 to 5 show various perforated plates for the production of hollow fibre bundles with a suitably shaped-cross section;
Figure 6 shows two filament combs arranged at an angle of 900 with respect to each other;
Figure 7 shows a hollow fibre bundle consisting of two hollow fibre groups having different properties;
Figure 8 shows a plan view of a hollow fibre bundle with non-parallel hollow fibres, and
Figure 9 shows an embodiment of a clamping device.
For simplicity, the process according to the invention is illustrated with only a single hollow fibre in
Figures 1 a to 1 c. It goes without saying that, when using a plurality of hollow fibres the number of parts described below must correspond to the number of hollow fibres to be processed and that all these parts perform the same functions and movements simultaneously or in succession, as described here by way of example in relation to a single hollow fibre.
Figure 1 a shows the starting position for the process according to the invention. In the starting position, a continuous hollow fibre 1 wound on a delivery bobbin is guided through a first clamping device 2 into a thread guide device 3 arranged after the clamping device 2. Perforated plates 4a and 4b and a second clamping device 5, also in the starting position are located downstream of the thread guide device 3. In Figure 1 a, the first clamping device 2 has not, as yet, been actuated. Arrow 6a indicates the direction in which the thread guide device 3, the perforated plates 4a, 4L; and the second clamping device 5 are moved in the course of the process according to the invention. In the next stage of the process, not shown, the first clamping device 2 is actuated so that it reliably secures the hollow fibre 1 against displacement.The thread guide device 3, the perforated plates 4a, 4b and the second clamping device 5 are subsequently moved in the direction of the arrow 6a, i.e. towards the first clamping device 2, so that the hollow fibre 1 is guided through the thread guide device 3, through the openings 7a, 7b in the perforated plates 4a, 4b and then into the second clamping device 5. After carrying out these stages of the process, an intermediate position is reached, as shown in Figure 1b.
In Figure 1b, the first clamping device 2 is still actuated and the thread guide device 3, the perforated plates 4a, 4b and the second clamping device 5 have been moved so far toward the first clamping device 2 that the end of the hollow fibre 1 is now located in the region of activity of the second clamping device 5.
In the next stages of the process, (not shown) the second clamping device 5 is actuated, the first clamping device 2 loosened so that is releases the hollow fibre and the second clamping device 5, the perforated plates 4a, 4b and the thread guide devices 3 are moved a predetermined distance in the
longitudinal direction of the hollow fibre in the direction of the arrow 6b, i.e. away from the first clamping device 2, so that, after these stages, the stage of the process illustrated in Figure 1c is achieved.
As shown in Figure 1 c, the thread guide device 3 has reached its starting position again while the second clamping device 5 and the perforated plates 4a, 4b, have reached their predetermined end positions. Thus, the distance covered by the second clamping device 5 between the stage of the process illustrated in Figure 1b and that illustrated in Figure 1c corresponds to the length of the hollow fibre bundle, as all hollow fibres are cut immediately downstream of the thread guide devices 3 by means of a cutting device 13. Once the second clamping device 5 has released the hollow fibre ends again, the hollow fibre bundle is removed together with the perforated plates 4a, 4b and all devices returned to their starting position.Before the production of the next hollow fibre bundle begins, it is merely necessary to insert another two new perforated plates 4a, 4b.
As can easily be seen from the description of this embodiment of the process according to the invention,with reference to Figures lato Ic, the same result is obtained if, based on the starting position shown in Figure 1 a, instead of the thread guide device 5, the first clamping device 2 only is moved toward the thread guide device 3 after it has been brought into action, until the hollow fibre end reaches the region of activity of the second clamping device 5, and the subsequent stages of the process are then carried out accordingly. Finally, the same result is also achieved if the above-mentioned devices are moved the necessary distance towards each other simultaneously or in succession and the remaining necessary stages of the process are then carried out accordingly.
Figure 2 shows a rectangular perforated plate 4 in which openings 7 for the hollow fibres (not shown) are arranged in vertical and horizontal rows running in parallel with each other, the horizontal and vertical intervals between adjacent openings 7 being equal.
Figure 3 shows a perforated plate 4 having only one row of openings 7 for the hollow fibres (not shown), the intervals between adjacent openings 7 being equal.
Figure 4 shows a trapezoidal perforated plate 4 in which the openings 7 are arranged in horizontal rows running in parallel to each other, the intervals between the adjacent rows of holes being equal and the same number of openings 7 being arranged in each row. The interval between the holes in the top row is thus greater than that in the rows of holes beneath this row, the interval between the holes being smallest in the bottom row. Thus, a hollow fibre bundle whose hollow fibres are guided through such perforated plates has a hollow fibre density which varies in the direction of flow, if the direction of this flow is vertical.
Figure 5 shows a perforated plate 4 in which the openings 7 are uniformly distributed in circles of differing sizes. The interval between each circle is equal such that the interval between the openings in each circle is different.
Figure 6 shows two filament combs 9, 10 arranged at right angles to each other. With such an arrange ment, the hollow fibres (not shown) in a hollow fibre bundle can be kept apart in the same manner as with a perforated plate of the type shown in Figure 2. It is also possible with this arrangement to adapt the intervals between comb rods 11 to the diameter of the hollow fibres 1 orto produce a less dense hollow fibre bundle by selecting a greater interval; as may also be achieved with a correspondingly close or distant arrangement of the openings 7 in the perforated plates 4 described above.
The hollow fibre bundles assume a cross-sectional shape corresponding to their perforated plates. This means that hollow fibre bundles obtained with the perforated plates or combs shown in Figures 2 to 4 and 6 receive not only a geometrically similar cross-sectional shape, but also that these hollow fibre bundles have a cross-section which is filled with hollow fibres which are arranged in a uniform or irregular distribution, while, with perforated plates according to Figure 5 a hollow fibre bundle is provided with an annular cross-section with an internally lying flow channel 12 running in longitu dinally of the hollow'fibres.
Figure 7 shows a rectangular perforated plate 4 with openings 7 which are arranged in a uniform distribution in horizontal and vertical rows and by means of which a first group of hollow fibres 1a is arranged in the top half and a second group of hollow fibres Ibis arranged in the bottom half, the two groups differing in the structure of their hollow fibres. Such a hollow fibre arrangement can advantageously be used, for example, for the simultaneous but separate separation of two different fluids responding to different membranes. For this purpose, the hollow fibre bundle shown in Figure 7 is traversed in the vertical direction.However, the different hollow fibres cannot be arranged in two separate groups but rather in a uniform distribution over the entire cross-section, such that only every second hollow fibre is of the same structure in each vertical and horizontal row. Such a hollow fibre bundle can be traversed both in the horizontal and in the vertical direction because of this distribution of the different hollow fibres which can be described as homogeneous.
Figure 8 shows a plan view of a hollow fibre bundle 1 which may have, for example, a rectangular, square, round or annular cross-section, in which the intervals between adjacent hollow fibres on one side are smaller than on the other side. Such a hollow fibre bundle therefore has, for example, the shape of a truncated cone or pyramid and has hollow fibres of different lengths which are not arranged parallel to each other.Such a configuration may be obtained by means of suitably designed perforated plates with differing intervals between the holes or, as shown in Figure 8, by means of two filament combs 9a, 1 Oa and 9b, 1 orb respectively arranged at right angles to each other, in which the distance between the rods 1 la of the filament combs 9a and 10a is smaller than that of the rods 1 b of the filament combs 9b and 1 orb. To simplify the threading of the hollow fibres through these combs, it may be advantageous to use filament combs of which the interval between rods (= division) may be altered in a a simple manner so that the combs 9b and 1 orb can be adjusted to the same division during threading as the combs 9a and 1 Ga and that the desired greater division can be adjusted later on.
The use of filament combs or reeds also has the advantage over the use of perforated plates that they may be removed and re-used, if desired, once the hollow fibre ends have been embedded. This is possible, for example, whenever the hollow fibres are sufficiently rigid to prevent the kinking of the hollow fibres, in particular in the case of hollow fibre bundles receiving a transverse flow. On the other hand, if the filament combs are to remain in the hollow fibre bundle, care should be taken to prevent the filament combs from unintentionally slipping out of the hollow fibre bundle. Moreover, it can easily be seen that a hollow fibre bundle cross-section of the type shown, for example, in Figure 4 can also be achieved by means of suitably designed filament combs or reeds.
Figure 9 shows a clamping device consisting of three perforated plates 4a, 4b, 4c. The central perforated plate 4b is offset relative to the perforated plates 4a and 4c so that the hollow fibres 1 (only one hollow fibre is shown) are deflected. An adequate braking effect against further transportation of the hollow fibres is thus achieved by means of the tensile stress produced.
In the perforated plates 4 shown in Figures 2 to 5 and 7, the course of the flow round the hollow fibres to be selected has not been considered for reasons of simplicity. However, it goes without saying that a different design and arrangement of the illustrated perforated plates 4 may be selected, for example, for cross-counter current or cross-co-current, as shown, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 3,228,456 mentioned at the outset. The perforated plates may also be designed as support plates, partition walls and the like with a different selected flow course.
Claims (8)
1. A process for the production of a hollow fibre bundle consisting of hollow fibres which are arranged spaced at intervals from each other and run in substantially straight lines, using continuous hollow fibres, in which the number of continuous hollow fibres used is equal to the number of hollow fibres contained in the finished hollow fibre bundle; wherein one end of each of the continuous hollow fibres is guided separately, but simultaneously with the other hollow fibres, through a first clamping device allocated thereto, into a filament guide device arranged thereafter; with the hollow fibres simultaneously secured by means of the first clamping device, said one end is subsequently guided through the filament guide device and separately, but simultaneously with the other hollow fibre ends through openings, arranged downstream of the filament guide device, in at least two perforated plates, into a second clamping device arranged downstream of the openings in the perforated plates; once the first clamping devices have been released to release the hollow fibres, the hollowfibre ends are moved together by means of the second clamping devices a predetermined distance from the perforated plates in the longitudinal direction of the hollow fibres; the perforated plates are moved a shorter distance and to differing extents from the filament guide devices; the hollow fibres are cut to length downstream of the filament guide devices located in their starting position; the second clamping devices are operated to release the hollow fibre ends; the hollow fibre bundle is removed from the region of activity of the said devices, and the first or the second clamping device is brought back into its respective starting position.
2. A process according to Claim 1, wherein each hollow fibre is guided through an auxiliary filament guide device before it is guided through the first clamping device.
3. A process according to Claims 1 to 2, wherein the hollow fibre ends are introduced into the second clamping devices in such a way that the first clamping devices are moved, while securing the hollow fibres, a predetermined distance towards the filament guide devices.
4. A process for the production of a hollow fibre bundle substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 a to it with or without reference to any of Figures 2 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.
5. An apparatus for the production of a hollow fibre bundle consisting of hollow fibres which are arranged spaced at intervals from each other and run in substantially straight lines, using continuous hollow fibres, in which there is provided for each hollow fibre to be processed at least one first clamping device, at least one thread guide device, a cutting device arranged downstream of the filament guide device, at least two holding devices for at least two perforated plates as well as at least one second clamping device, the first clamping devices and/or the filament guide devices, the holder for the perforated plates and the second clamping devices being arranged so as to move to and fro in the longitudinal direction of the hollow fibres.
6. An apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein for each hollow fibre a stationary auxiliary filament guide device is arranged upstream of the first
clamping devices.
7. An apparatus according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein additional filament guide devices are
arranged so as to move to and fro at equal distances from each other between the first clamping devices
and the filament guide devices.
8. An apparatus for the production of a hollow fibre bundle substantially as herein described with
reference to Figures 1 a to it with or without
reference to any of Figures 2 to 9 of the accompany
ing drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19803049246 DE3049246A1 (en) | 1980-12-27 | 1980-12-27 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRODUCING A HOLLOW FIBER BUNDLE |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2091125A true GB2091125A (en) | 1982-07-28 |
| GB2091125B GB2091125B (en) | 1985-01-03 |
Family
ID=6120426
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8138719A Expired GB2091125B (en) | 1980-12-27 | 1981-12-23 | A process and apparatus for the production of a hollow fibre bundle |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS584841A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3049246A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2497115A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2091125B (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5840230A (en) * | 1994-06-02 | 1998-11-24 | Geleff; Svend Andreas | Process for preparing hollow fibre sections for hollow fibre modules and said hollow fibre section for a hollow fibre module |
| WO2003093754A1 (en) * | 2002-04-30 | 2003-11-13 | E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Device and method for trimming and securing flexible tubes within a structure and articles made therefrom |
| WO2003093752A2 (en) * | 2002-04-30 | 2003-11-13 | E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Device and method for positioning flexible tubes into a core and articles made therefrom |
| WO2018196891A1 (en) * | 2017-04-26 | 2018-11-01 | Promens a.s. | Method of manufacturing a primary cell of a heat exchange surface of a heat exchanger or a filtering surface of a separation module based on hollow polymerous fibres and a production line for implementing the method |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4124830A (en) * | 1977-09-27 | 1978-11-07 | Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated | Waveguide filter employing dielectric resonators |
| DE10234212A1 (en) * | 2002-07-19 | 2004-01-29 | Behr Gmbh & Co. | Flat heat exchanger panel for heating and cooling vehicles has channels for heat exchange medium which consist of hollow fibers and are embedded in polymer matrix to form self-supporting module |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3277959A (en) * | 1964-08-12 | 1966-10-11 | Du Pont | Plastic tube heat exchanger and process of making |
| US3228456A (en) * | 1965-03-01 | 1966-01-11 | Du Pont | Method and apparatus employing hollow polyfluorinated plastic filaments for heat exchange |
| CH489259A (en) * | 1968-06-08 | 1970-04-30 | Dietzsch Gmbh Hans Joachim | Process for the production of capillary exchangers |
| GB1366615A (en) * | 1971-02-25 | 1974-09-11 | Dow Chemical Co | Method for making a hollow fibre separatory element |
| IT960259B (en) * | 1972-04-20 | 1973-11-20 | Roma C | PASCIO TUBIERO FOR HEAT EXCHANGERS AND MODULAR ELEMENTS CONSTITUTED BY THERMOPLASTIC TUBES AND PROCESS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MODULAR ELEMENTS AND TUBE BUNDLES |
| US4211597A (en) * | 1977-06-10 | 1980-07-08 | Cordis Dow Corp. | Method for making artificial kidney |
-
1980
- 1980-12-27 DE DE19803049246 patent/DE3049246A1/en active Granted
-
1981
- 1981-12-23 GB GB8138719A patent/GB2091125B/en not_active Expired
- 1981-12-23 FR FR8124145A patent/FR2497115A1/en active Granted
- 1981-12-24 JP JP56208215A patent/JPS584841A/en active Granted
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5840230A (en) * | 1994-06-02 | 1998-11-24 | Geleff; Svend Andreas | Process for preparing hollow fibre sections for hollow fibre modules and said hollow fibre section for a hollow fibre module |
| WO2003093754A1 (en) * | 2002-04-30 | 2003-11-13 | E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Device and method for trimming and securing flexible tubes within a structure and articles made therefrom |
| WO2003093752A2 (en) * | 2002-04-30 | 2003-11-13 | E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Device and method for positioning flexible tubes into a core and articles made therefrom |
| WO2003093752A3 (en) * | 2002-04-30 | 2004-02-19 | Du Pont | Device and method for positioning flexible tubes into a core and articles made therefrom |
| US7024757B2 (en) | 2002-04-30 | 2006-04-11 | Cesaroni Technology Incorporated | Device and method for positioning flexible tubes into a core and articles made therefrom |
| WO2018196891A1 (en) * | 2017-04-26 | 2018-11-01 | Promens a.s. | Method of manufacturing a primary cell of a heat exchange surface of a heat exchanger or a filtering surface of a separation module based on hollow polymerous fibres and a production line for implementing the method |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE3049246C2 (en) | 1989-12-21 |
| JPH0157170B2 (en) | 1989-12-04 |
| GB2091125B (en) | 1985-01-03 |
| FR2497115A1 (en) | 1982-07-02 |
| JPS584841A (en) | 1983-01-12 |
| DE3049246A1 (en) | 1982-07-29 |
| FR2497115B1 (en) | 1984-04-27 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |