JP2008505761A - Mass or energy transfer cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

  A module 10 is provided that includes a manifold 12, an elongate medium 23 capable of effecting mass or energy transfer through the medium 23, and a bowl 14 containing the medium 23. Media 23 and bowl 14 are connected to each other by a key 30 secured to flat surfaces 38, 40 on media 23 to form a unitary structure. Media 32 and bowl 14 are in fluid communication with manifold 12 to prevent mixing of the first fluid supply and the second fluid supply to module 10.

Description

  This application was subsequently derived from provisional application 60/435624, filed on December 20, 2002, which was subsequently derived from provisional application 60/368280, filed on March 28, 2002. Derived from PCT application number PCT / US03 / 06919, filed March 6, 2003.

  The present invention relates to a material or energy transfer module that is hygienic and easy to replace and install. More particularly, the present invention couples mass transfer or energy transfer cartridges, reusable bowls, reusable manifolds, mass transfer or energy transfer cartridges, reusable bowls and manifolds together. And a mass transfer or energy transfer module formed from a reusable coupling device.

  Various modules are used to provide mass transfer or energy transfer between two fluids. A typical module includes a degassing device in which two fluids, one of which is a liquid containing a gas and the other of which is a sub-atmospheric pressure gas, are separated by a gas permeable membrane. Another such module is a gasifier in which one fluid is a superatmospheric gas, a second fluid is a liquid in which the gas can be dissolved, and the two fluids are separated by a gas permeable membrane. It is. The third module is a heat exchanger in which hot and cold fluids are separated by a non-permeable heat conducting material. The mass transfer or energy transfer module may include a manifold, a bowl containing one fluid, and a cartridge containing a second fluid. Thus, when configuring a mass transfer or energy transfer module, the cartridge and bowl are separately secured to and sealed to the manifold head. In addition, once mass transfer or energy transfer is complete, the bowl and cartridge are removed separately from the head. This separate removal requires the bowl to be moved a distance that is substantially greater than the total length of the cartridge, thereby exposing the cartridge to allow its removal. Thereafter, the exposed cartridge is removed by hand or by hand tools. Since the bowl must be moved the length of the cartridge, the space in which the bowl and cartridge are placed must correspond to this removal step.

  It was proposed in US Pat. No. 5,114,572 to provide a filter assembly that cooperates with the bowl to create a filter cartridge bowl structure that can be disassembled as a single unit from the manifold. This filter assembly is not used for mass transfer or energy transfer between two fluids. It is used to filter fluids. The filter cartridge is connected to the bowl by a bayonet connection on the cartridge that fits into a groove in the inner surface of the bowl. The bayonet connection is formed integrally with the cartridge, such as by being molded as a single unit. When the cartridge is so configured, it can only be used with a bowl configured to receive a bayonet. This is undesirable because it prevents a cartridge so configured from being used with a currently made bowl configured to not accept the cartridge. Therefore, the market for cartridges so configured is greatly narrowed. Further, the bayonet connection is located below the top surface of the cartridge, so they fit into a groove in the bowl that is also located below the top surface of the cartridge. When the bayonet is so arranged, the field of view is limited and positioning in the groove becomes more difficult.

  Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a mass transfer or energy transfer medium or cartridge that allows its use in multiple bowls of various configurations. In addition, it would be desirable to provide such a cartridge that includes means for coupling between the cartridge and the bowl with means that cannot move relative to the cartridge during mass transfer or energy transfer using two fluids. I will. Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide such a cartridge with connection means that can be clearly seen and thus facilitates the connection of the cartridge to the bowl. Such a cartridge would further facilitate the insertion of the filter cartridge into the bowl and reduce the space required to install the mass transfer or energy transfer module.

  In accordance with the present invention, a material using two fluids including a manifold and a combination of mass transfer or energy transfer cartridge and bowl, wherein the cartridge and bowl are locked together and installed together and removed from the manifold. A transfer or energy transfer module is provided. The mass transfer or energy transfer cartridge includes at least one fluid passage for fluid communication between the manifold and the interior of the cartridge. The outer surface of the fluid passage includes two flat parallel surfaces that mate with the two flat surfaces of the key and thus allow the key to be slidably mounted over the fluid passage. In a first embodiment, the key comprises a bayonet that fits into a slot in the bowl, thereby providing for connection of the cartridge to the bowl. In a second embodiment, the key comprises a hook-shaped element that snaps onto the open lip of the bowl, thereby providing a connection of the cartridge to the bowl. The key is removable from the cartridge, so the cartridge can be used with a conventional bowl that is not secured to the cartridge, or a bowl used in the mass transfer or energy transfer module of the present invention. The key and bayonet, or the key and hook-shaped element that secures the cartridge to the bowl, allows the cartridge and bowl to be removed from the manifold together.

  The present invention provides a mass transfer or energy transfer cartridge and a mass transfer or energy transfer module formed from a manifold, cartridge and bowl. The manifold provides a fluid passage for supplying a first fluid to the cartridge, removing an optional first fluid from the cartridge, and supplying a second fluid and removing the second fluid from the bowl. Removal of fluid from the cartridge or bowl is done through the manifold. From the outside of the cartridge or from the inside of the cartridge, a fluid supply can be introduced into the cartridge through the manifold. The fluid in the bowl can be removed through the manifold or directly from the bowl. In any event, a seal is provided to prevent mixing of the first and second fluids without the passage of energy or material through the cartridge.

  Mass transfer or energy transfer cartridges and bowls are configured so that they are sealed with a manifold or removed as one piece from contact with the manifold. The cartridge is sealed with two end caps, at least one of which has a fluid passage. One fluid passage has two opposing generally parallel and flat surfaces disposed on its outer surface. The cartridge includes a key that is slidably mounted on two flat surfaces, thereby disposed around the fluid passage of the cartridge. The fluid passage may function as an inlet or outlet for the cartridge. The key is configured to lock the cartridge to the bowl. In one embodiment, the bowl and cartridge are joined by a bayonet on the key that fits into a slot on the inner surface of the bowl. In the second embodiment, the key is coupled to the bowl by snapping onto the open top lip of the bowl. A flat surface on the fluid passage prevents the key from rotating relative to the cartridge. Following use of the mass transfer or energy transfer module, the bowl and cartridge are removed from the manifold as a single piece rather than as two pieces. Since the bowl and cartridge are removed together, there is no need to remove the cartridge from the bowl. Therefore, to remove the cartridge, it is necessary to provide a space that is substantially equal to the sum of the cartridge and bowl length. It is only necessary to provide a space that is substantially as long as the bowl. This allows the cartridge of the present invention to be installed inside a smaller space compared to the space required by current modules. Furthermore, since the cartridge is removed with the bowl, it does not need to be handled by the operator by hand or hand tools. This greatly reduces the possibility of fluid contact with the operator inside the bowl. The bowl may optionally include a drain for removing fluid from the bowl.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the mass transfer module 10 includes a manifold 12, a bowl 14 having an inlet 9, and a mass transfer cartridge 16. The mass transfer cartridge 16 may be a membrane such as a gas permeable pleated membrane 23. Such mass transfer cartridges can be used as degassing devices for liquids or gas contactors that provide gas dissolution in liquids. Suitable membranes are (tetrafluoroethylene perfluoro (alkyl vinyl ether)) copolymers (PFAs) or (fourths) as disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,990,294, incorporated herein by reference. It is formed from a fluoroethylene hexapropylene) copolymer (FEP). Such membranes are useful for removing dissolved gases from liquids, “degassing”, or adding gaseous substances to liquids. For example, ozone is added to very pure water used for cleaning semiconductor wafers. A threaded ring 18 is disposed on the outer surface 20 of the bowl 14 and is maintained on the outer surface 20 by a bead 22 that extends around the circumference of the bowl 14 and lip 24. By adjusting the size and flexibility of the bead 22, the ring 18 can be slid over the bead 22 to position the ring 18, or after the ring 18 is positioned as shown. The bead 22 can be formed on the bowl 14.

  The ring 18 is substantially fixed in place with respect to the bowl 14, that is, it cannot travel any substantial distance along the length of the bowl 14. As the threads 26 and 28 are attracted, the ring 18 directs or drives the cartridge 16 into positive contact with the manifold 12 and provides a seal with the O-rings 11 and 13. Conversely, when the ring 18 is rotated so that the screws 26 and 28 are driven away, the cartridge 16 is actively guided or driven away from the manifold 12. Sealing of the bowl 14 to the abutting manifold 12 is provided by an O-ring 17a. The bowl is brought into perpendicular contact with the manifold 12 without rotating the bowl 14.

  The cartridge 16 is connected to the bowl 14 by a flange 15 on the key 30 that mates with a slot 32 in the collar 34. The collar 34 is screwed into the bowl 14 by screws 36. The collar 34 extends around the entire inner circumference of the bowl 14. Alternatively, the bowl and collar may be formed in one piece in the form of bowl 14 and collar 34, such as by molding. Key 30 fits into two flat surfaces 38 and 40 located on the outer surface of fluid passage 42 of cartridge 16. The fluid passage 42 includes O-rings 11 and 13. Because the flange 15 does not extend around the entire circumference of the key 30, fluid can flow into the manifold 12 bypassing the key 30. When the module 10 is used as a degasser, a vacuum is drawn at the inlet 44 and the liquid to be degassed is introduced through the inlet 9 and taken out through the passage 8 and the outlet 46. When the module 10 is used to introduce gas into the liquid, superatmospheric pressure gas enters from the inlet 44 and liquid is removed from the inlet 9 through the inlet 46. The structure of the key 30 will be described more fully in connection with FIG. The structure of the collar 34 will be more fully described in connection with FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the module 17 includes a manifold 19, a cartridge 21, and a bowl 25. The cartridge 21 is connected to the bowl 25 by a flange 27 on the key 31 in a slot 29 on the bowl 25. The key 31 fits around the fluid passage 33 to provide a strong connection between the key 31 and the fluid passage 33 while avoiding significant obstruction of the fluid passage 33. The passage 33 is connected to the inlet 35. The passage 33 is connected to the lumens of a plurality of hollow fibers 37 made of a non-porous heat conducting material such as stainless steel. The first fluid can be directed through the passage 33 through the inlet 35 into the hollow fiber 37 and then out of the cartridge 21 and through the outlet 39. The second fluid can be directed through the inlet 41 onto the outer surface of the hollow fiber 37 and then through the outlet 43. The module 17 of FIG. 2 can be used to provide heat exchange between the two fluids. Screw 26 and lip 24 function to interact with the rotatable ring (FIG. 1) in the same manner as described above for FIG. An optional gas vent 44 may be provided.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the collar 34 includes two cutouts 41 and two vertical extensions 43. Each vertical extension 43 includes a slot 32 (one not shown). The slot 32 fits and receives the flange 15 (FIG. 1). The angle defined by the slot 32 depends on the flexibility of the material used to make the key 30 and collar 34. Slot 32 has an angle of at least about 15 degrees, preferably between about 30 degrees and about 45 degrees when key 30 and collar 34 are made from a relatively soft polymer of perfluoro (alkyl vinyl ether) (PFA). Determine. If the key 30 and collar 34 are made from a relatively hard material such as high density polypropylene, these angles may be about half of the angle relative to the PFA. This angular magnitude for these exemplary materials provides the desired contact surface between the flange 15 and the slot 32 so that the key 30 does not separate from the collar 34 during use of the module 10. The collar 34 optionally includes a detent 45 that mates with and houses an optional vertical extension on the outer surface of the flange 15. The collar 34 also includes an optional vertical slot 17 that allows fluid to flow between the collar 34 and the manifold 12.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the bowl and collar structure of the present invention is shown. The collar 34 is screwed into the bowl 14. The collar and bowl 14 may be molded as one piece. Bowl 14 includes a plurality of stops 50 that support clamping ring 18 (FIG. 1). Bowl 14 includes an inlet 17.

  In one aspect of the invention, the key includes an outer surface structure that mates with the inner surface structure of the collar attached to the bowl for centering the cartridge in which it is attached. Centering the cartridge inside the bowl allows for smooth engagement of the key and collar as the key is rotationally inserted into the collar. The outer surface structure of the key includes a small groove. The outer structure of the key is not essential to the present invention, but without it, the key slides from side to side inside the collar, thereby increasing the difficulty of engaging the key and collar.

  Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, another configuration for coupling the cartridge to the bowl is shown. The key 60 includes two prongs 62 that are slidably coupled to a fluid passageway 42 that contacts two flat surfaces 64 that are substantially parallel to each other, as described with respect to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the hook-shaped prong 66 is fitted to the lip 68 of the bowl 14. The key 60 also includes a lever 67 that pivots, thus allowing the hand pressure on the lever 67 to move the prong 66 into or out of contact with the bowl 14.

  Although the key of the present invention has been described with respect to two opposing attachment elements (flange or prong), it should be understood that the key may comprise more than two attachment elements. At least two mounting elements are necessary to maintain alignment of the cartridge shaft with respect to the bowl.

  Since the key of the present invention is removable from the cartridge, the cartridge of the present invention can be used with the above-described bowl of the present invention or a bowl sized in a conventional size. A removable key allows a keyless cartridge to be inserted into a conventional bowl without a slot on its inner surface, otherwise the flange on the key reduces the footprint of the cartridge and the entire key, Will be larger than the diameter of a conventional bowl. This makes it possible to reduce the required inventory of conventional bowls and cartridges that need to accommodate the bowls of the present invention.

  In use, the cartridge lever 67 of FIG. 5 is subjected to hand pressure, thereby moving the prong 66 away from the prong 62. The cartridge 16 is dropped into the bowl 14 and the hand pressure on the lever 67 is released so that the prong 66 is secured to the bowl's upper lip 68 to secure the key 60 to the bowl 14.

  The embodiment of FIG. 2 is inserted into the collar of FIG. 3 by first aligning the flange 15 with the cutout 41. The key 30 is then rotated so that the flange 15 fits into the slot 32, thereby securing the cartridge 16 to the collar 34.

  With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the key 70 includes a groove 72 on each key leg 74 and 76 that mates with a face 78 of the collar 80. Each key includes a boss 82, but they are not necessary for the function of the groove 72. The purpose of the boss 82 is described below.

  9, 10 and 11, the collar 84 includes two opposing slots 86 and 88 into which the boss 82 fits when the key 90 is rotationally inserted into place within the collar 84. The expansion of the slots away from each other is brought about by bringing the inner surface of the collar 84 and the boss 82 into contact. The distance between the outer surfaces of the bosses 82 is somewhat greater than the distance between the opposing inner surfaces of the collar 84. Slots 86 and 88 extend with the thickness of collar 84. Slots 86 and 88 mesh with boss 82 on key 90 and thus provide an improved fit between collar 84 and key 90. Boss 82 is configured to expand meshing slots 86 and 88 on collar 84 outwardly when key 90 is rotationally inserted into place until boss 82 engages open slots 86 and 88. Is done. At the time of mating, the slots 86 and 88 contract toward each other, thus overlapping the boss 82, thereby making it more difficult for the key 90 to disengage from the collar 84 during use.

It is sectional drawing of the module of this invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative module of the present invention including the cartridge top and mating key of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a collar used with the cartridge and key of FIG. FIG. 3 is an isometric view showing the bowl and collar of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a top isometric view of another key structure used in the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the key of FIG. 5 placed directly on the bowl. It is a bottom perspective view of an alternative key of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the position of the key of FIG. 7 on the collar shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a collar having a slot for storing the key of FIG. 7. It is a top perspective view of an alternative key of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the key of FIG. 10 fitted into the collar of FIG. 9.

Claims (11)

An elongate medium for allowing mass transfer therethrough or effecting energy transfer from a first fluid to a second fluid, the elongate medium having a first end and a second end;
A first sealing plate sealed to the first end;
A second sealing plate sealed to the second end;
A fluid passage sealed to the first sealing plate to provide fluid communication within the open interior of the medium;
A mass transfer or energy transfer cartridge wherein the fluid passage has an outer surface including two generally parallel flat surfaces.   The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the medium is a pleated film.   The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the medium includes a plurality of hollow fiber membranes.   The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the medium comprises a plurality of non-porous hollow fibers formed from a thermally conductive material. A manifold; a bowl containing the medium; and means for locking the bowl to the manifold;
A key secured to two generally parallel surfaces on an outer surface of a fluid passage formed from a medium, the key having at least two attachment elements attached to the bowl, the bowl and the medium A module in which the media and bowl are in fluid communication with the manifold to prevent mixing of a supply of the first fluid to the media with a second fluid directed into the space between the manifolds.   The module of claim 5, wherein the key is attached to the bowl by a prong extending from the key that fits over a lip of the bowl.   6. The module of claim 5, wherein the key is attached to the bowl by a flange extending from the key that fits into a slot on the collar, and the collar is attached directly to the open end of the bowl.   The module of claim 7, wherein the bowl and collar comprise a unitary structure.   9. The any of claims 5, 6, 7 or 8, wherein the first key includes at least one vertical extension, and each of the at least one vertical extension is fitted into a vertical slot in the collar. The module according to one item.   9. A module according to any one of claims 5, 6, 7 or 8, wherein the key includes at least two flanges, each of the flanges having a boss on the outer surface of each of the flanges.   6. The key includes at least two flanges, each of the flanges including a groove on a lower surface of each of the flanges, the groove formed to engage an inner surface of a collar attached to the bowl. , 6, 7 or 8. The module according to any one of the above.

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