GB2553790A - Turbocharger for a fluid separation device - Google Patents

Turbocharger for a fluid separation device Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2553790A
GB2553790A GB1615580.6A GB201615580A GB2553790A GB 2553790 A GB2553790 A GB 2553790A GB 201615580 A GB201615580 A GB 201615580A GB 2553790 A GB2553790 A GB 2553790A
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Prior art keywords
turbine
fluid
separation device
turbocharger
turbocharger according
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GB1615580.6A
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GB201615580D0 (en
GB2553790B (en
Inventor
Vincent David
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SPORTING EDGE UK Ltd
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SPORTING EDGE UK Ltd
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Priority to PCT/GB2017/000139 priority patent/WO2018051053A1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/22—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by diffusion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes
    • A61M16/0057—Pumps therefor
    • A61M16/0066—Blowers or centrifugal pumps
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes
    • A61M16/10—Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours
    • A61M16/1005—Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours with O2 features or with parameter measurement
    • A61M16/101—Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours with O2 features or with parameter measurement using an oxygen concentrator
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/02—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography
    • B01D53/04—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography with stationary adsorbents
    • B01D53/047—Pressure swing adsorption
    • 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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D69/00—Semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus characterised by their form, structure or properties; Manufacturing processes specially adapted therefor
    • B01D69/08—Hollow fibre membranes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2202/00—Special media to be introduced, removed or treated
    • A61M2202/02—Gases
    • A61M2202/0208—Oxygen
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2213/00—Exercising combined with therapy
    • A63B2213/005—Exercising combined with therapy with respiratory gas delivering means, e.g. O2
    • A63B2213/006—Exercising combined with therapy with respiratory gas delivering means, e.g. O2 under hypoxy conditions, i.e. oxygen supply subnormal
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/22—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by diffusion
    • B01D2053/221—Devices
    • B01D2053/223—Devices with hollow tubes
    • B01D2053/224—Devices with hollow tubes with hollow fibres
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2257/00—Components to be removed
    • B01D2257/10—Single element gases other than halogens
    • B01D2257/104—Oxygen
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2259/00—Type of treatment
    • B01D2259/45—Gas separation or purification devices adapted for specific applications
    • B01D2259/4533—Gas separation or purification devices adapted for specific applications for medical purposes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2313/00—Details relating to membrane modules or apparatus
    • B01D2313/24—Specific pressurizing or depressurizing means
    • B01D2313/246—Energy recovery means

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Emergency Medicine (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • Anesthesiology (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Hematology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Separation Using Semi-Permeable Membranes (AREA)

Abstract

A turbocharger 1 for a fluid separation device, such as a semi-permeable membrane 2 or a pressure swing absorption fluid separation device that may be used to separate a gas such as air into nitrogen and oxygen. The turbocharger includes a first turbine 3 for harnessing energy from a fluid stream and is configured to be driven by the fluid stream. A second turbine 5 is in fluid communication with a permeate outlet 10, and is configured to be driven by the first turbine. The second turbine may operate as a vacuum pump such that, in use, the second turbine draws permeate from the permeate outlet. The semi permeable membrane may include at least one hollow fibre fluidly connected to a fluid inlet 18, a retentate outlet 14 and a permeate outlet 13. A method of turbocharging a semi-permeable gas separation device is also disclosed. The turbocharger may improve efficiency and concentration control in a hypoxic gas generation system.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Turbocharger for a fluid separation device Abstract Title: Turbocharger (57) A turbocharger 1 for a fluid separation device, such as a semi-permeable membrane 2 or a pressure swing absorption fluid separation device that may be used to separate a gas such as air into nitrogen and oxygen. The turbocharger includes a first turbine 3 for harnessing energy from a fluid stream and is configured to be driven by the fluid stream. A second turbine 5 is in fluid communication with a permeate outlet 10, and is configured to be driven by the first turbine. The second turbine may operate as a vacuum pump such that, in use, the second turbine draws permeate from the permeate outlet. The semi permeable membrane may include at least one hollow fibre fluidly connected to a fluid inlet 18, a retentate outlet 14 and a permeate outlet 13. A method of turbocharging a semi-permeable gas separation device is also disclosed. The turbocharger may improve efficiency and concentration control in a hypoxic gas generation system.
Figure GB2553790A_D0001
Figure 1
1/3
Figure GB2553790A_D0002
Figure 2
2/3
Figure GB2553790A_D0003
3/3
Figure GB2553790A_D0004
Turbocharger for a Fluid Separation Device
This invention pertains generally to the field of fluid separation devices, and in particular means of turbocharging air separation devices that are configured to alter the concentration of oxygen in an air flow.
There are a number of different types of fluid separation devices, for separating and removing different elements from a flow of fluid. These can be for removing impurities and therefore purifying a fluid, or alternatively for altering the concentration of a particular particle within a fluid, such as for separating an air flow into an oxygen rich flow and a nitrogen rich flow. In some instances, such as for hypoxic therapy, the fluid separator comprises air separation means that is configured to supply hypoxic gas, or a nitrogen rich, reduced oxygen supply, for training and therapeutic purposes. In other applications, fluid separations devices are used to produce a nitrogen rich air flow for purposes such as inerting atmospheres, food preservation or various industrial processes. The nitrogen levels within such an air flow are typically greater than eighty percent nitrogen. Such an inert environment is typically used where an industrial process requires that oxidation be controlled.
Hypoxic generators are used during hypoxic therapy by individuals to obtain the benefits in physical performance and wellbeing through improved oxygen metabolism. A hypoxic generator is a device that is used to deprive the body of an adequate oxygen supply. These generators comprise apparatus to provide reduced oxygen, or hypoxic air to a user for active or passive simulated altitude training, whilst also providing supplemental oxygen for assisted respiration and recovery. Hypoxic gas typically contains less than 21% oxygen concentration.
Incorporating some element of exposure to reduced oxygen atmospheres into a training program can be beneficial in terms of performance and general wellbeing. It has become a widely used element of training for elite athletes and is starting to become used at lower levels as well as for pre-acclimatisation before travelling to high altitude climates and for maintaining fitness levels when suffering from injury.
Hypoxic generator systems for use by individuals typically deliver hypoxic gas to a user through a respiratory mask or through a tent placed over the head or body of the user.
These systems typically utilise pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology as this allows oxygen to be stripped from the supply air stream whilst retaining humidity and carbon dioxide levels. Alternatively, they incorporate membrane gas separation devices, that separate a gas mixture by a synthetic membrane. These membranes act as a semipermeable barrier through which a permeate stream is allowed to pass, thereby removing the permeate or unwanted gas molecules from the passing air stream, allowing the retentate, or wanted gas air flow to continue through. Permeation works through diffusion, with the permeate moving from a high concentration to a low concentration across the hollow fibre membranes.
In the case of an hypoxic generator, these membrane gas separation systems are typically used to supply hypoxic air to a larger area such as a room environment, typically within a gymnasium, health club or even a room in a user’s house.
The hollow fibre membranes typically comprise bundles of straw-like polymer tubes. The air passing through these straws is pressurised, causing small, permeable molecules to escape through the walls of the straws, whilst the larger molecules remain trapped in the straw and pass through to the other end. The quantity of permeable molecules or permeate escaping through the walls of the straw is relative to the pressure. By forcing air through the straw under pressure, and by adding a flow restrictor at the output of the straw, smaller molecules such as oxygen, water vapour and carbon dioxide can escape through the walls, whilst larger molecules such as nitrogen pass the length of the fibre. The oxygen reduced air, or hypoxic air, forms the retentate and can be used for hypoxic therapy purposes. By changing the flow restriction, and therefore the pressure across the membranes, the oxygen concentration of the retentate can be adjusted very precisely. The quantity of oxygen that escapes through the semi-permeable membrane walls is directly relative to the differential pressure between the inside of the fibres and the outside pressure. However, altering this differential pressure within existing systems is somewhat problematic, and reliant on the flow restrictor.
There is a need to improve the efficiency of these gas separation membrane based hypoxic gas generators, and to further improve the means of precise control of the oxygen concentration within the retentate. There is a need to improve upon the performance of hypoxic generation devices, that provide an enhanced oxygen stream and a reduced oxygen stream.
The prior art shows a number of devices which attempt to address these needs in various ways.
WO 2015 019 322 (Pulford & Son) discloses a hypoxic system for delivering depleted oxygen breathing gas to a space. The system comprises a low pressure blower unit for generating air at very low pressure. This system is concerned with lowering the pressure requirement of the air being supplied to a gas separation membrane system, as typically the use of a compressor to create the high pressures required by such a system require a significant amount of energy to operate.
Whilst the prior art appears to address the issue of improving system efficiency by altering the pressure differential across the membrane, and removing the need for high energy input into the system, this low pressure arrangement would not allow for precise control of oxygen concentration.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a hypoxic gas generation system with improved efficiency and precise concentration control of the generated hypoxic gas, without a considerable energy requirement. In addition, and in an alternative application, embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a nitrogen rich air flow gas generation system with improved efficiency and precise concentration control of the generated nitrogen rich air flow, without a considerable energy requirement.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a turbocharger for a semi-permeable membrane fluid separation device, the semi permeable membrane configured to separate a fluid stream passing through the fluid separation device, the semipermeable membrane comprising at least one hollow fibre fluidly connected to a fluid inlet, a retentate outlet and a permeate outlet of the fluid separation device, the turbocharger comprising: a first turbine for harnessing energy from the fluid stream, configured to be driven by said fluid stream; and, a second turbine in fluid communication with the permeate outlet, the second turbine being configured to be driven by the first turbine; wherein the second turbine is configured to operate as a vacuum pump such that, in use, the second turbine draws permeate from the permeate outlet, thereby lowering the pressure of the fluid that surrounds the at least one hollow fibre, thus increasing the pressure differential between the inside and the outside of the at least one hollow fibre.
Preferably, the first turbine may be configured to be fluidly connected between a fluid supply and the fluid inlet of the fluid separation device.
Alternatively, the first turbine may be configured to be fluidly connected to the retentate outlet of the fluid separation device.
Preferably, the first turbine and the second turbine are rotatably mounted to each other by a shaft between a first turbine impeller and a second turbine impeller, and the second turbine impeller is configured to be fluidly connected to the permeate outlet of the fluid separation device.
The fluid stream may comprise compressed air.
Alternatively, the fluid stream may comprise water.
The fluid stream may also comprise water vapour.
The fluid separation device may be configured to separate contaminants from a fluid stream.
The second turbine may comprise a vacuum pump.
The compressed air stream is separated by the fluid separation device to supply a nitrogen rich air stream as retentate through the retentate outlet, and an oxygen rich air stream as permeate through the permeate outlet.
The turbocharger may incorporate a compressor for compressing a fluid stream.
The turbocharger may incorporate a flow restrictor fluidly connected to the waste gas outlet.
The turbocharger is configured to create a pressure differential across the at least one hollow fibre of at least 3 bar.
The first turbine may comprise a first turbine impeller, and the second turbine may comprise a second turbine impeller, whereby the size of said first turbine impeller is greater than said second turbine impeller.
The retentate outlet may be in fluid communication with a user delivery means.
The user delivery means may comprise a mask system.
The user delivery means may comprise a delivery means for delivering retentate into a room and/or tent.
The turbocharger may be configured to be retrofittable to an existing fluid separation device.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a turbocharger for a pressure swing absorption fluid separation device, the pressure swing absorber configured to separate a fluid stream through the fluid separation device, the turbocharger comprising: a first turbine for harnessing energy from the fluid stream, configured to be driven by said fluid stream; and, a second turbine in fluid communication with a permeate outlet, the second turbine being configured to be driven by the first turbine; wherein the second turbine is configured to operate as a vacuum pump such that, in use, the second turbine draws permeate from the permeate outlet of the fluid separation device, thereby lowering the pressure within a chamber of the fluid separation device.
A semi-permeable membrane fluid separation device incorporating the turbocharger as described herebefore. A fluid separation device incorporating the turbocharger as described herein.
A method of turbocharging a semi-permeable gas separation device, comprising the steps of: fluidly connecting a first turbine to a fluid flow of the gas separation device; fluidly connecting a second turbine to a permeate outlet of the gas separation device; whereby, in use, said second turbine draws permeate from the permeate outlet of the gas separation device, thereby altering the pressure differential across the gas separation device.
For a better understanding of the invention and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a flow diagram of one embodiment of turbocharging system, driven by a compressed air input from a compressor into the system;
Figure 2 shows a flow diagram of a further embodiment of turbocharging system, driven by a output air stream from the system; and,
Figure 3 shows a semi-permeable membrane gas separation device, showing the air stream through a plurality of hollow fibres, with retentate flowing through a retentate outlet and permeate passing through the walls of the hollow fibres and through a permeate outlet.
In the figures like references denote like or corresponding parts.
A typical fluid separation device comprises a means of separating a fluid into fluids that comprise different concentrations of various substances, or it comprises a means of separating specific elements from a fluid. The main embodiment of fluid separation device that disclosed herein comprises a gas separation device such as a semi-permeable membrane gas separation device for separating a compressed air flow into two separate air streams - permeate and retentate. The retentate is that which is retained by the semipermeable membrane. The permeate is that which passes through the semi-permeable membrane. The most common of these semi-permeable membrane gas separation devices comprises a plurality of hollow fibres, where the compressed air stream passes through each of the fibres, with the retentate passing right out the other end, with the permeate passing through the hollow fibre walls. The pressure across the semi-permeable membrane or in this case, the hollow fibres, determines the quantity and/or constituency of the permeate that is separated from the compressed air flow. Therefore, by changing this pressure differential, the concentration of the retentate can be altered and controlled. In this instance, the retentate is an oxygen-reduced air supply, that therefore comprises a nitrogen rich air stream. The permeate therefore comprises an oxygen rich air stream. The permeate may also comprise other impurities or elements should the gas separation device be configured to remove these.
As shown in Figure 1, the turbocharger 1 is in one embodiment configured as an add on or retrofittable attachment for turbocharging existing gas separation devices 2. The turbocharger 1 therefore may comprise a housing that contains all of the elements required to turbocharge the gas separation device 2. Figure 1 shows one type of gas separation device 2 that the turbocharger 1 is configured to be fluidly connected to. This gas separation device 2 comprises a semi-permeable membrane air separation device that incorporates at least one hollow fibre 15. In use, a compressed air stream 9 passes through the hollow fibres 15 to separate the compressed air stream 9 into two separate air streams, with a different and predetermined oxygen content. The concentration of oxygen is controlled by the pressure differential across the hollow fibre 15. The compressed air stream 9 passes into the gas separation device 2 and therefore one end of the hollow fibres 15 through a gas inlet 18. The compressed air stream 9 is separated into retentate 11 that comprises an oxygen reduced, nitrogen rich air stream, and permeate 10 that is an oxygen rich air stream. The retentate 11 passes out of a retentate outlet 14 of the gas separation device 2, and the permeate 10 passes out of a permeate outlet 13.
The turbocharger 1 is configured to turbocharge the compressed air stream 9 passing through the gas separation device to therefore alter the pressure differential across the semi-permeable membrane walls of the hollow fibres 15. Figure 1 shows one arrangement of turbocharger 1 when fluidly connected to a gas separation device 2. The turbocharger 1 in this arrangement is driven by the input air stream or compressed air stream 9 that is being fed into the turbocharger 1. This compressed air stream 9 passes into a compressed air inlet 8 of the turbocharger 1, whereby this compressed air inlet 8 is fluidly connected to a first turbine 3, and configured to drive a first turbine impeller 4. This first turbine 3 feeds the compressed air stream 9 at a higher pressure into the gas separation device 2, being fluidly connected to the gas inlet 18 of the gas separation device 2.
The first turbine 3 is operatively connected to a second turbine 5 by a shaft 7. Rotation of said first turbine 3 therefore causes comparable rotation of said second turbine 5, and a second turbine impeller 6 of the second turbine 5. The second turbine impeller 6 is fluidly connected to the permeate outlet 13 of the gas separation device 2, such that the second turbine 5 draws permeate 10 out through the permeate outlet 13 of the gas separation device 2. This second turbine 5 acts as a vacuum pump, drawing permeate 10 from the gas separation device 2, and therefore reducing the pressure that surrounds the hollow fibres 15 within the gas separation device 2. This reduces the pressure in the atmosphere to below atmospheric pressure, and allows a user to control this reduction in pressure. By reducing the pressure of the air surrounding the hollow fibres 15, increases the pressure differential between the inside of the hollow fibres 15 and the outside of the hollow fibres 15, thereby altering the pressure differential across the semi-permeable membrane walls of these hollow fibres 15. A greater pressure differential across the membrane walls of the hollow fibres 15 causes more molecules to escape from the compressed air stream 9, forming the permeate 10.
Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of turbocharger 1, where the turbocharger 1 is driven by the output air flow from the gas separation device 2. The compressed air stream 9 is fed into the gas inlet 18 of the gas separation device 2, and the retentate outlet 14 of the gas separation device 2 is fluidly connected to the first turbine 3 and configured to drive the first turbine impeller 4. A first turbine outlet 17 delivers the retentate 11 passing through the first turbine impeller 4 of the first turbine 3 to a delivery system or environment that requires a reduced oxygen, nitrogen rich supply. The first turbine impeller 4 is again operatively and rotationally connected to a second turbine impeller 6 of the second turbine 5, and rotation of the first turbine impeller 4 drives the second turbine impeller 6. The second turbine impeller 6 of the second turbine 5 is fluidly connected to the permeate outlet 13 of the gas separation device 2 such that the permeate 10 is drawn from the gas separation device 2. The second turbine 5 therefore acts as a vacuum pump, sucking penneate 10 from the atmosphere that surrounds the hollow fibres 15 of the gas separation device 2.
The turbocharger 1 in both embodiments effectively harnesses the energy of the gas separation device 2 to increase the pressure differential of the system, thus providing a means of turbocharging the system.
Figure 3 shows one embodiment of semi-permeable membrane gas separation device 2, diagrammatically showing the separation of compressed air stream 9 passing through the hollow fibres 15 of the gas separation device 2. The permeate gas 10 escapes through the semi-permeable membrane walls of the gas separation device 2, whilst the remaining gas or retentate continues to flow inside the hollow fibres 15.
In a further embodiment, not shown in the drawings, the turbocharger 1 is configured to turbocharge a pressure swing absorption gas separation system. These pressure swing absorption or PSA systems, rely on the fact that under high pressure, gases are attracted to solid surfaces. When the pressure is high, more gas is absorbed; when the pressure is reduced, the gas is released. The turbocharger 1 in this embodiment is configured to create the pressure differential within the PSA chamber, by fluidly connecting the second turbine impeller 6 of the second turbine 5 to the retentate outlet 14 of the pressure swing absorption gas separation device 2. The turbocharger 1 acts as a vacuum pump and creates a greater pressure differential through the PSA gas separation device 2.
The ratio of impeller size, and therefore the first turbine impeller 4 to second turbine impeller 6 is also very relevant to the level of control of oxygen concentration within the retentate 11. By changing this relative size, the ability to control the concentration of the retentate can be set.
The turbocharger 1 is configured to reduce the pressure of the atmosphere surrounding the hollow fibres 15 of the gas separation device 2, to below atmospheric pressure.
In further embodiments, not shown in the drawings, the turbocharger 1 is configured to be fluidly connected to further fluid separation devices 2 that are concerned with the separation of a fluid into constituent parts. Such systems may comprise water extraction devices, impurity removal devices, and other systems where specific constituent parts can be removed from a flow of fluid through a fluid separation device, and where the fluid separation device is controlled by pressure. Examples of such applications include gas separation devices that separate air to provide a nitrogen rich air flow, for supplying a nitrogen rich air to an environment or atmosphere. This nitrogen rich environment is commonly used in industry for creating an inert environment, for food preservation and preparation, prevention of oxidation through creation of an inert atmosphere, and for other industrial applications where a nitrogen rich environment is of benefit to a particular process. The proposed invention provides a means of turbocharging an existing fluid separation device configured for use for such an industrial process.

Claims (17)

CLAIMS:
1. A turbocharger for a semi-permeable membrane fluid separation device, the semipermeable membrane configured to separate a fluid stream passing through the fluid separation device, the semi-permeable membrane comprising at least one hollow fibre fluidly connected to a fluid inlet, a retentate outlet and a permeate outlet of the fluid separation device, the turbocharger comprising:
a first turbine for harnessing energy from the fluid stream, configured to be driven by said fluid stream; and, a second turbine in fluid communication with the permeate outlet, the second turbine being configured to be driven by the first turbine;
wherein the second turbine is configured to operate as a vacuum pump such that, in use, the second turbine draws permeate from the permeate outlet, thereby lowering the pressure of the fluid that surrounds the at least one hollow fibre, thus increasing the pressure differential between the inside and the outside of the at least one hollow fibre.
2. A turbocharger according to Claim 1, wherein the first turbine is configured to be fluidly connected between a fluid supply and the fluid inlet of the fluid separation device.
3. A turbocharger according to Claim 1, wherein the first turbine is configured to be fluidly connected to the retentate outlet of the fluid separation device.
4. A turbocharger according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein the first turbine and the second turbine are rotatably mounted to each other by a shaft between a first turbine impeller and a second turbine impeller, and the second turbine impeller is configured to be fluidly connected to the permeate outlet of the fluid separation device.
5. A turbocharger according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid stream comprises compressed air.
6. A turbocharger according to claims 1 to 4, wherein the fluid stream comprises water.
7. A turbocharger according to claims 1 to 4, wherein the fluid stream comprises water vapour.
8. A turbocharger according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid separation device is configured to separate contaminants from a fluid stream.
9. A turbocharger according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second turbine is a vacuum pump.
10. A turbocharger according to claim 5, wherein the compressed air stream is separated by the fluid separation device to supply a nitrogen rich air stream as retentate through the retentate outlet, and an oxygen rich air stream as permeate through the permeate outlet.
11. A turbocharger according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the turbocharger incorporates a compressor for compressing a fluid stream.
12. A turbocharger according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the turbocharger incorporates a flow restrictor fluidly connected to the waste gas outlet.
13. A turbocharger according to any one of the preceding claims, configured to create a pressure differential across the at least one hollow fibre of at least 3 bar.
14. A turbocharger according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first turbine comprises a first turbine impeller, and the second turbine comprises a second turbine impeller, whereby the size of said first turbine impeller is greater than said second turbine impeller.
15. A turbocharger according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retentate outlet is in fluid communication with a user delivery means.
16. A turbocharger for a pressure swing absorption fluid separation device, the pressure swing absorber configured to separate a compressed air stream through the fluid
30 separation device into an oxygen-rich air stream and a nitrogen-rich air stream, the turbocharger comprising:
a first turbine for harnessing energy from the fluid stream, configured to be driven by said fluid stream; and, a second turbine configured to be in fluid communication with the oxygen 3 5 rich air stream, the second turbine being configured to be driven by the first turbine;
wherein the second turbine is configured to operate as a vacuum pump such that, in use, the second turbine draws oxygen rich air from the fluid separation device, thereby lowering the pressure within a chamber of the fluid separation device.
5
17. A method of turbocharging a semi-permeable gas separation device, comprising the steps of:
fluidly connecting a first turbine to a fluid flow of the gas separation device;
fluidly connecting a second turbine to a permeate outlet of the gas 10 separation device;
whereby, in use, said second turbine draws permeate from the permeate outlet of the gas separation device, thereby altering the pressure differential across the gas separation device.
d o
CM
Intellectual
Property
Office
Application No: GB1615580.6 Examiner: Beverley Lloyd
16. A turbocharger according to claim 15, wherein the user delivery means is a mask system.
17. A turbocharger according to claim 15, wherein the user delivery means comprises a delivery means for delivering retentate into a room and/or tent.
18. A turbocharger according to any one of the preceding claims, configured to be retrofittable to an existing fluid separation device.
19. A turbocharger for a pressure swing absorption fluid separation device, the pressure swing absorber configured to separate a fluid stream through the fluid separation device, the turbocharger comprising:
a first turbine for harnessing energy from the fluid stream, configured to be driven by said fluid stream; and, a second turbine in fluid communication with a permeate outlet, the second turbine being configured to be driven by the first turbine;
wherein the second turbine is configured to operate as a vacuum pump such that, in use, the second turbine draws permeate from the permeate outlet of the fluid separation device, thereby lowering the pressure within a chamber of the fluid separation device.
20. A turbocharger substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
21. A semi-permeable membrane fluid separation device incorporating the turbocharger of any one of the preceding claims.
22. A fluid separation device incorporating the turbocharger of any one of the preceding claims.
23. A method of turbocharging a semi-permeable gas separation device, comprising the steps of:
fluidly connecting a first turbine to a fluid flow of the gas separation device;
fluidly connecting a second turbine to a permeate outlet of the gas separation device;
whereby, in use, said second turbine draws permeate from the permeate outlet of the gas separation device, thereby altering the pressure differential across the gas separation device.
Amendmend to the claims have been filed as follows:
CLAIMS:
1204 17
1. A turbocharger for a semi-permeable membrane fluid separation device, the semipermeable membrane configured to separate a fluid stream passing through the
5 fluid separation device into retentate and permeate, the turbocharger comprising:
a first turbine for harnessing energy from the fluid stream, configured to be driven by said fluid stream; and, a second turbine configured to be fluidly connected to a permeate outlet of the fluid separation device, the second turbine being configured to be
10 driven by the first turbine;
wherein the second turbine is configured to operate as a vacuum pump such that, in use, the second turbine draws permeate from the permeate outlet, thereby increasing the pressure differential of the fluid across the semi-permeable membrane of the fluid separation device.
2. A turbocharger according to Claim 1, wherein the first turbine is configured to be fluidly connected between a fluid supply and the fluid inlet of the fluid separation device.
20 3. A turbocharger according to Claim 1, wherein the first turbine is configured to be fluidly connected to a retentate outlet of the fluid separation device.
4. A turbocharger according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein the first turbine and the second turbine are rotatably mounted to each other by a shaft between a first turbine
25 impeller and a second turbine impeller, and the second turbine impeller is configured to be fluidly connected to the permeate outlet of the fluid separation device.
5. A turbocharger according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid
30 stream comprises compressed air.
6. A turbocharger according to claims 1 to 4, wherein the fluid stream comprises water.
7. A turbocharger according to claims 1 to 4, wherein the fluid stream comprises water vapour.
8. A turbocharger according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second turbine is a vacuum pump.
5 9. A turbocharger according to claim 5, wherein retentate comprises a nitrogen rich air stream, and permeate comprises an oxygen rich air stream.
10. A turbocharger according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the turbocharger incorporates a compressor for compressing a fluid stream.
11. A turbocharger according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the turbocharger incorporates a flow restrictor.
12. A turbocharger according to any one of the preceding claims, configured to create
15 a pressure differential across the at least one hollow fibre of at least 3 bar.
13. A turbocharger according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first turbine comprises a first turbine impeller, and the second turbine comprises a second turbine impeller, whereby the size of said first turbine impeller is greater
20 than said second turbine impeller.
14. A turbocharger according to any one of the preceding claims, configured to be retrofittable to an existing semi-permeable membrane fluid separation device.
25 15. A semi-permeable membrane fluid separation device incorporating the turbocharger of claims 1 to 13.
GB1615580.6A 2016-09-14 2016-09-14 Turbocharger for a fluid separation device Active GB2553790B (en)

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PCT/GB2017/000139 WO2018051053A1 (en) 2016-09-14 2017-09-14 Turbocharger for a fluid separation device

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CN110935294A (en) * 2019-12-28 2020-03-31 广州市绿河环保设备有限公司 VOCs exhaust-gas treatment system
EP3711803A1 (en) * 2019-03-22 2020-09-23 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Device and system for supplying a gaseous mixture to a patient
EP3981500A1 (en) * 2020-10-09 2022-04-13 NeuroBodyTech GmbH A gas separation system and gas separation method comprising a membrane system having a control valve

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DE10229232A1 (en) * 2002-06-28 2004-01-29 Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. Membrane separation process for the enrichment of at least one gas component in a gas stream
WO2009004439A2 (en) * 2007-06-12 2009-01-08 Hunt Robert D Ultra-low-temperature power cycle engine
GB2513371B (en) * 2013-04-25 2015-09-09 Sporting Edge Uk Ltd Improvements in Hypoxic and Hyperoxic Gas Generators

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US6488747B1 (en) * 1999-06-10 2002-12-03 Questair Technologies, Inc. Pressure swing adsorption with axial or centrifugal compression machinery

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3711803A1 (en) * 2019-03-22 2020-09-23 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Device and system for supplying a gaseous mixture to a patient
FR3093926A1 (en) * 2019-03-22 2020-09-25 L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude Apparatus and installation for supplying a gas mixture to a patient
US11517703B2 (en) 2019-03-22 2022-12-06 L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude Apparatus and installation for supplying a gas mixture to a patient
CN110935294A (en) * 2019-12-28 2020-03-31 广州市绿河环保设备有限公司 VOCs exhaust-gas treatment system
EP3981500A1 (en) * 2020-10-09 2022-04-13 NeuroBodyTech GmbH A gas separation system and gas separation method comprising a membrane system having a control valve
US11779880B2 (en) 2020-10-09 2023-10-10 12M Invent Gmbh Gas separation system and gas separation method

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WO2018051053A1 (en) 2018-03-22
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