JP2014240076A - Separation membrane module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a separation membrane module capable of suppressing adverse effect due to thermal expansion of a tube plate and operating successfully even under high temperature.SOLUTION: A separating membrane module comprises: a hollow fiber bundle where many hollow fiber membranes with selective permeability is gathered together; a cylindrical container accommodating the hollow fiber bundle; a tube plate which is installed at an end part of the hollow fiber bundle, which is immobilized at the end part of the cylindrical container and at the same time, has a function to isolate the interior of the cylindrical container from its exterior; and an annular sealing member which seals a space between the outer circumferential surface of the tube plate and the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical container. The separation membrane module can be used under high temperature conditions, and is constituted in a way that the tube plate does not include a level difference part around a part where the annular sealing member is installed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a separation membrane module provided with a hollow fiber element in which a hollow fiber bundle composed of a number of hollow fiber membranes having selective permeability is fixed integrally with a tube plate in which a specific epoxy resin composition is cured. . In particular, the present invention relates to a separation membrane module and the like that can suppress the influence of thermal expansion of a tube sheet and can operate well even at high temperatures.

  Conventionally, as a separation membrane module for performing gas separation (for example, oxygen separation, nitrogen separation, hydrogen separation, water vapor separation, carbon dioxide separation, organic vapor separation, etc.) using a separation membrane having selective permeability, plates and frames are used. Types, tubular types, hollow fiber types, and the like. Among them, the hollow fiber type gas separation membrane module not only has the advantage that the membrane area per unit volume is the largest, but also is excellent in terms of pressure resistance and self-supporting properties, so it is industrially advantageous. It is widely used.

  A hollow fiber type gas separation membrane module generally includes a hollow fiber element having a yarn bundle made up of a number of hollow fiber membranes having selective permeability, and a hollow container for accommodating the hollow fiber element. One end or both ends of the hollow fiber bundle of the hollow fiber element is fixed to the end of the container by a resin curing plate (tube plate). In addition, the container is provided with at least a raw material gas inlet, a permeate gas outlet, and a non-permeate gas outlet.

  In general, the gas separation membrane has a higher gas permeation rate as the supplied gas is at a higher temperature and pressure. Therefore, when a gas separation membrane module is used, it may be considered that the raw material gas is compressed by a compressor or the like before being supplied to the module. This compressed gas may be supplied at a very high temperature of 149 ° C. to 260 ° C. in some cases.

  By the way, when using the separation membrane module under the high temperature conditions as described above, for example, stress concentration occurs in the tube plate member due to thermal expansion of the tube plate, and cracks in the tube plate due to the stress concentration occur. This may cause problems such as loss of airtightness of the separation membrane module. Therefore, generally, the high-temperature gas compressed by a compressor or the like is purposely cooled and supplied to the gas separation membrane module. There is still room for improvement of conventional separation membrane modules (for example, more effective component design based on special conditions of high temperatures) with respect to use at high temperatures. Furthermore, regardless of whether the separation membrane module is for high temperature, development of a structure that can further simplify the structure of the separation membrane module and contribute to downsizing is demanded.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a separation membrane module capable of suppressing the influence of thermal expansion of a tube sheet and operating well even at high temperatures. Another object is to simplify the structure of the separation membrane module and provide a structure advantageous for miniaturization and weight reduction.

In order to achieve the above object, the gist of the separation membrane module of the present invention is as follows.
1. A hollow fiber bundle in which a number of hollow fiber membranes having selective permeability are converged;
A cylindrical container that accommodates the hollow fiber bundle;
A tube plate which is provided at an end of the hollow fiber bundle and has a function of fixing the end of the bundle to the end of the cylindrical container and isolating the inside and the outside of the cylindrical container;
An annular seal member that seals between the outer peripheral surface of the tube sheet and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical container;
A separation membrane module used under high temperature conditions,
In the periphery where the annular seal member is attached, no step portion is provided on the tube sheet.
Separation membrane module.

  According to the present invention, since the tube plate is not provided with a step in the periphery where the annular seal member (detailed below) is attached, compared with the conventional structure in which the O-ring is arranged in the step of the tube plate, The effect of stress concentration when used at high temperatures is suppressed.

The “annular seal member” in the present specification means an annular seal member that seals between the outer peripheral surface of the tube sheet and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical container, and the cross-sectional shape thereof is not particularly limited. The annular seal member may be, for example, an O-ring (the cross-sectional shape is substantially circular), or may be a V-packing, U-packing, or the like whose cross-sectional shape is substantially V-shaped or substantially U-shaped. Furthermore, the thing of cross-sectional shapes, such as an ellipse, a rectangle, a polygon, X type | mold, is also included.
“High temperature condition” is intended to be within the range of 80 ° C. to 300 ° C.
The “cylindrical container” is not limited to one opened at both ends, but includes one opened only at one end.
The separation membrane module of the present invention can be used for applications such as oxygen separation, nitrogen separation, hydrogen separation, water vapor separation, carbon dioxide separation, and organic vapor separation.

2. A hollow fiber bundle in which a number of hollow fiber membranes having selective permeability are converged;
A cylindrical container that accommodates the hollow fiber bundle;
A tube plate which is provided at an end of the hollow fiber bundle and has a function of fixing the end of the bundle to the end of the cylindrical container and isolating the inside and the outside of the cylindrical container;
A separation membrane module used under high temperature conditions,
The tube sheet is formed of a material having a thermal expansion coefficient larger than that of the cylindrical container, and
At normal temperature, there is a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the tube plate and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical container. When the temperature is raised to a predetermined temperature, the tube plate expands and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical container is Separation membrane module that seals against the inner peripheral surface and exhibits a sealing effect.

3. A hollow fiber bundle in which a number of hollow fiber membranes having selective permeability are converged;
A cylindrical container that accommodates the hollow fiber bundle;
A tube plate which is provided at an end of the hollow fiber bundle and has a function of fixing the end of the bundle to the end of the cylindrical container and isolating the inside and the outside of the cylindrical container;
A cap attached to the end of the cylindrical container;
A separation membrane module comprising:
A separation membrane in which a tubular member that forms a flow path that communicates the inside and the outside of the cylindrical container is provided so as to penetrate a part of the cylindrical container and a part of the cap (in the radial direction). module.

4). further,
4. The separation membrane module according to 3 above, comprising a fixing member that is passed through a part of the peripheral wall of the cap and serves to fix the cap and the cylindrical container.

5. A hollow fiber bundle in which a number of hollow fiber membranes having selective permeability are converged;
A cylindrical container that accommodates the hollow fiber bundle;
A tube plate provided at an end of the hollow fiber bundle, having a function of fixing the end of the bundle to the end of the cylindrical container and isolating the inside and the outside of the cylindrical container;
A cap attached to an end of the cylindrical container;
A separation membrane module comprising:
A separation membrane module comprising a fixing member that passes through a part of the peripheral wall of the cap and plays a role of fixing the cap and the cylindrical container.

6). A hollow fiber bundle in which a number of hollow fiber membranes having selective permeability are converged;
A cylindrical container that accommodates the hollow fiber bundle;
A tube plate which is provided at an end of the hollow fiber bundle and has a function of fixing the end of the bundle to the end of the cylindrical container and isolating the inside and the outside of the cylindrical container;
A cap attached to the end of the cylindrical container;
An annular seal member that seals between the outer peripheral surface of the tube sheet and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical container;
A separation membrane module comprising:
The method of fixing the cap to the cylindrical container is:
(I) a screw part formed on a part of the inner peripheral surface of the cap and a method of fixing using a screw part formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical container facing the cap, or
(Ii) A separation membrane module in which the flange portion of the cap and the flange portion of the cylindrical container facing the cap are connected and fixed by a fixture.

7). 7. The separation membrane module according to any one of 3 to 6, wherein the annular seal member further seals between the cap and the cylindrical container.

  According to the present invention, as described above, there is provided a separation membrane module or the like that can suppress the influence of thermal expansion of the tube sheet and can operate well even at high temperatures. In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, the structure of the separation membrane module can be simplified, and a structure advantageous for miniaturization and weight reduction can be provided.

It is sectional drawing which shows typically the basic composition of the separation membrane module of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2A shows an example of the structure of the module end according to the present invention, and FIG. 2B shows a conventional structure. It is a figure which shows the other structure of a tube-plate periphery. FIGS. 4A and 4B show an example of the structure of the module end according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4A shows a state at normal temperature, and FIG. 4B shows a state at high temperature. The example of the structure of the module edge part which concerns on 3rd Embodiment is shown. It is a figure which shows the example of other embodiment of this invention. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view showing still another example of the separation membrane module, and FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 7A. It is a figure which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of an O-ring.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a basic configuration of the separation membrane module of the present embodiment. In the following description, the present invention will be described by exemplifying several embodiments. However, the embodiments are not independent, and the contents of the embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the separation membrane module 1 includes a hollow fiber bundle 15 that is a bundle of a number of hollow fiber membranes 14 having selective permeability, and a substantially cylindrical container 10 that accommodates the hollow fiber bundle 15. And. The cylindrical container 10 is made of metal as an example, and both ends thereof are open. The cylindrical container 10 may have a circular cross section, an elliptical cross section, or a polygonal cross section, but in the following description, in the case of a circular cross section (that is, the container 10 is cylindrical) Will be described as an example.

  As the hollow fiber membrane 14, a conventionally known one can be used, and any material may be used as long as it has gas separation performance. For example, a polymer material, particularly polyimide, polysulfone, polyetherimide, polyphenylene oxide. A material made of a glassy polymer material at normal temperature (23 ° C.) such as polycarbonate is preferable because of good gas separation performance.

  The hollow fiber bundle 15 is a bundle of, for example, about 100 to 1,000,000 hollow fiber membranes. Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular in the shape of the converged hollow fiber bundle, From the viewpoint of the ease of manufacture and the pressure | voltage resistance of a container, the hollow fiber bundle converged in the column shape is preferable. Moreover, although the form in which the hollow fiber membranes are arranged substantially in parallel is illustrated in FIG. 1, the form in which the hollow fiber membranes are cross-arranged may be used.

  Referring again to FIG. 1, at each end of the container 10, a tube plate 30 is provided at the end of the hollow fiber bundle 15, and an annular seal member 17 is disposed on the outer periphery thereof. The annular seal member 17 may be, for example, an O-ring (the cross-sectional shape is substantially circular), or may be a V-packing, U-packing, or the like having a cross-sectional shape of approximately V-type or U-shape. However, in the following description, the case of an O-ring will be described as an example.

The tube plate 30 is formed of a cured product (detailed below) of an epoxy resin composition as an example, and is formed in a substantially disk shape that is fitted into the end of the container 10. The plurality of hollow fiber membranes 14 penetrates the tube plate 30 in the thickness direction, and the ends of the hollow fiber membranes 14 are opened on the outer surface of the tube plate 30.
In addition to the role of integrally fixing a large number of hollow fiber membranes, the tube plate cooperates with the annular seal member to seal between the hollow fiber membranes and between the hollow fiber membranes and the inner peripheral surface of the container. Thus, the internal space and the external space of the hollow fiber membrane are isolated from each other and have a role of maintaining airtightness.

  The cured resin forming the tube plate 30 is not particularly limited as long as it has high temperature resistance and can maintain airtightness in the hollow fiber module. When used for dehydration of organic vapor or for humidification, it is preferable to have durability against water vapor. Usually, thermosetting resins such as polyurethane and epoxy resins are preferably used. In view of high temperature resistance and strength, an epoxy resin is particularly preferably used. For example, in the case of a nitrogen membrane module, an epoxy resin such as that described in JP-B-2-36287 can be used, and in the case of an organic vapor separation module, it is described in WO2009 / 044711, etc. Something like that is available.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this separation membrane module 1, caps 20 and 21 are provided at both ends of the cylindrical container 10, respectively. The cap 20 is formed with a mixed gas inlet 22A, and the cap 21 is formed with a non-permeate gas outlet 22B. A permeated gas discharge port 12 is formed in a part of the peripheral wall of the container 10.
The main feature of the present invention is the peripheral structure of the tube plate 30 as will be described later, and the type of the separation membrane module is not limited as long as such a structure can be adopted.

Next, the peripheral structure of the tube sheet will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2A shows an example of the structure of the module end according to the present invention, and FIG. 2B shows a conventional structure.
As shown in FIG. 2B, conventionally, in this type of separation membrane module, an O-ring 18 is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical container 10 and the outer peripheral surface of the tube plate 530. Thus, the airtightness between both members is ensured. Specifically, a step portion 530s is formed in a part of the outer peripheral portion of the tube sheet 530, and a structure in which the O-ring 18 is fitted to the step portion 530s is employed. In the case of such a structure, when the separation membrane module 101 is used at a high temperature, stress concentration occurs in the vicinity of the step portion 530s of the tube plate 530, and the tube plate is damaged or accompanyingly, airtightness is impaired. There was a risk of malfunctions.

In order to cope with this, as shown in FIG. 2A, the structure of the present embodiment uses a tube sheet 30 that is not provided with a step portion on the outer peripheral surface. In this example, the diameter of the tube plate 30 is constant over its entire length (another aspect will be described later with reference to FIG. 3).
A step portion 10 s is provided at the end of the cylindrical container 10, and thereby a groove for fitting the O-ring 18 is formed in the step portion. The cross-sectional shape of the groove is rectangular as an example. The O-ring 18 is fitted in the groove to ensure airtightness between the outer peripheral surface of the tube sheet and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical container.

  The O-ring 18 is also in close contact with the inner surface of the cap 20, thereby ensuring airtightness between the container end and the cap inner surface. According to such a configuration, since both the tube plate and the cylindrical container and the cap and the cylindrical container are sealed with one O-ring 18, no additional O-ring is required.

  The means for fixing the cap 20 to the cylindrical container 10 is not particularly limited, and various conventionally known methods (for example, fixing by adhesion, fixing using a fixing tool, etc.) can be employed.

  According to the separation membrane module 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the step portion is not provided in the tube plate 30 in the vicinity where the O-ring 18 is attached, so that the conventional structure as shown in FIG. Compared to the above, it becomes less susceptible to stress concentration when used at high temperatures. As a result, the high temperature resistance and reliability of the separation membrane module 1 as a whole can be improved.

  Such advantages according to the present invention can be obtained not only in the case of FIG. 2A but also in the case of the structure as shown in FIG. That is, in the form of FIG. 2 (a), in order to simplify the explanation, the means for restricting the axial movement of the tube sheet 30 has not been particularly explained, but the means of FIG. 3 is provided with that means. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in this separation membrane module 1 ′, a step 10 t is formed at a location that is inside a predetermined distance from the end of the container 10. Correspondingly, a step 30′t is also provided at the end of the tube sheet 30 ′. Other structures are the same as those in FIG. According to such a configuration, since the end portion (right side in the drawing) of the tube plate 30 'abuts against the step 10t and the movement in the axial direction is restricted, the tube plate does not enter further.

  In the above description, the separation membrane module of FIG. 1 has been described as an example. However, it should be understood that the present invention can also be applied to separation membrane modules having other configurations, for example, a shell-feed type module or a cylindrical shape. The present invention can also be suitably applied to a purge type module in which a purge gas introduction port is further provided in the container.

[Second Embodiment]
The separation membrane module according to the present invention may be as shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows an example of the structure of the module end according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4 (a) shows a state at normal temperature, and FIG. 4 (b) shows a state at the time of use, that is, at a high temperature. ing.

  The separation membrane module in FIG. 4 includes a hollow fiber bundle 15 in which a number of selectively permeable hollow fiber membranes are bundled and a cylindrical container 10 in which the hollow fiber bundle is accommodated, as in the above embodiment. A tube plate 38 provided at the end of the hollow fiber bundle 15 and a cap 20 attached to the end of the cylindrical container 10 are provided. The same structural parts as those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals as those in the above-described drawings, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, in this separation membrane module, the diameter of the tube plate 38 at normal temperature is formed so as to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface 10a of the cylindrical container 10, There is a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the plate 38 and the inner peripheral surface 10a of the cylindrical container. The material of the tube plate 38 is a resin material such as an epoxy resin as in the above embodiment, and is a material having a larger coefficient of thermal expansion than the material of the cylindrical container 10 (for example, metal).

  This separation membrane module is used in the range of 80 ° C. to 300 ° C., for example, and as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the tube plate 38 is heated to a predetermined temperature during use and expanded by thermal expansion. It is comprised so that the outer peripheral surface may closely_contact | adhere to the inner peripheral surface 10a of a cylindrical container by diameter. By this close contact, airtightness between both members is ensured.

  When using the separation membrane module of the present embodiment configured as described above, the temperature of the module is sufficiently raised, and after the gas tightness between the tube plate 38 and the cylindrical container 10 is secured, the mixed gas is supplied. Done.

  According to the configuration of the present embodiment described above, since the tube plate 38 is thermally expanded, a sealing effect is exhibited between the tube plate and the cylindrical container. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an O-ring separately or to bond the outer peripheral surface of the tube sheet to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical container. In addition, since the stress applied to the cylindrical container 10 when the tube plate 38 is thermally expanded is reduced, it is advantageous in that damage to the cylindrical container 10 can be prevented.

  In the above description, it is assumed that the tube plate is an epoxy resin and the cylindrical container is a metal. However, the material of the cylindrical container is a metal if it has a smaller coefficient of thermal expansion than the tube plate. It is not limited to. Although not shown in FIG. 4, a sealing means for sealing between the cap 20 and the cylindrical container 10 may be provided. For example, an annular seal member disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the cap 20 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical container 10, or an annular seal member disposed between the inner surface of the cap 20 and the end surface of the cylindrical container 10. Is available.

[Third Embodiment]
The separation membrane module according to the present invention may be as shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows an example of the structure of the module end according to the third embodiment. In addition, although the separation membrane module of 1st and 2nd embodiment was intended for the use under high temperature, the temperature in which the separation membrane module of this embodiment is used is not particularly limited. .

  The separation membrane module in FIG. 5 is similar to the above two embodiments in that the hollow fiber bundle 15 in which many hollow fiber membranes having selective permeability are bundled, the cylindrical container 10 in which the hollow fiber bundle 15 is accommodated, and the hollow fiber bundle 15 And a cap 20 attached to the end of the cylindrical container 10. An O-ring 18 that seals between the tube plate and the cylindrical container is also provided. The same structural parts as those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals as those in the above-described drawings, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

  In the configuration of FIG. 5, an opening 10 h for discharging the permeated gas that has permeated through the hollow fiber membrane to the outside of the cylindrical container is formed in a part of the peripheral wall of the cylindrical container 10. An opening 20h is also formed in a part of the peripheral wall of the cap 20 at a position corresponding to the cap 20h. A hollow discharge pipe 41 is attached so as to pass through both openings 10h and 20h. In the separation membrane module of FIG. 5, the exhaust pipe 41 serves as the permeate gas exhaust port 12 of FIG. 1, and therefore the permeate gas exhaust port 12 as shown in FIG. 1 is not provided.

  The discharge pipe 41 also has a function as means for fixing the cap 20 and the cylindrical container 10. That is, by passing the discharge pipe 41 through the openings 10h and 20h, movement in the axial direction and movement in the rotational direction between the cap 20 and the cylindrical container 10 are regulated.

  In order to more firmly fix both members 10 and 20, an additional fixing screw 42 as shown in FIG. 5 may be used. The fixing screw 42 is passed through a screw hole formed in the peripheral wall of the cap 20, and the tip of the fixing screw 42 enters a part of the peripheral wall of the cylindrical container 10. The female screw for fixing the fixing screw 42 may be formed on the cap 20 or a cylindrical container. Note that a fixing pin may be used instead of the fixing screw.

  An annular seal member (not shown) for sealing between the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall of the cap 20 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical container 10 may be provided. Thereby, the airtightness between the cap 20 and the cylindrical container 10 is more sufficiently ensured. Of course, when the O-ring 18 can sufficiently seal both the tube plate and the cylindrical container and between the cap and the cylindrical container, the sealing member may be omitted.

  According to the configuration of the present embodiment as described above, the member 41 for forming the flow path for discharging the permeated gas also serves to fix the cap 20 and the cylindrical container 10 together. The structure of the module is simplified, and as a result, the module can be reduced in weight and size.

  In the example of FIG. 5, the discharge pipe 41 that discharges the permeated gas that has permeated through the hollow fiber membrane to the outside of the cylindrical container has been described as an example. However, instead of the discharge pipe 41, the inside of the cylindrical container is described. Other tubular members that form channels that communicate with the outside can be used.

Further, the cap 20 may be fixed to the cylindrical container 10 only by a fixing member such as a fixing screw 42 or a fixing pin, without passing the discharge pipe 41 through the openings 10h and 20h of the container and the cap. In the case of such a configuration, it is not necessary to provide a flange portion as compared with a configuration in which flange portions described later with reference to FIG. 6B are fixed, which is advantageous for downsizing of the module.
There may be only one fixing member or two or more fixing members, but in the case of two or more fixing members, it is preferable that the fixing members are evenly arranged in the circumferential direction.

Other Embodiment
The present invention may be as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B in addition to the above embodiment. Similar to the above embodiment, these separation membrane modules include a hollow fiber bundle 15 in which hollow fiber membranes are bundled, a cylindrical container 10 in which the hollow fiber bundle 15 is accommodated, and a tube plate 30 provided at an end of the hollow fiber bundle 15. And caps 26 and 27 attached to the end of the cylindrical container. Moreover, the O-ring 18 which seals between the outer peripheral surface of a tube sheet and the inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical container is also provided.

In the configuration of FIG. 6 (a), the female screw portion formed on a part of the inner peripheral surface of the cap 26 and the male screw portion formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical container 10 are engaged. The cap 26 is fixed to the cylindrical container 10 by a screwing method.
In a state where the cap 26 is rotated to a predetermined fixing position (see FIG. 6A), a part of the O-ring 18 comes into contact with the inner surface of the cap 26, whereby the airtightness between the end of the cylindrical container and the inner surface of the cap is achieved. Sex is secured. Similar to the above-described embodiment, the O-ring 18 also ensures airtightness between the outer peripheral surface of the tube sheet and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical container.

In the configuration of FIG. 6B, a flange 27 f is formed on the cap 27, and a corresponding flange 10 f is also formed on the cylindrical container 10. The cap 27 and the cylindrical container 10 are fixed by fixing these flanges 27 f and 10 f with a fixing tool 43. For example, a bolt and a nut can be used as the fixture 43. Also, screw holes and bolts formed in the flange 10f can be used.
In addition, although the location which clamp | tightens the flange parts with the fixing tool 43 is not specifically limited, It is preferable that the clamping location is provided at equal intervals regarding the circumferential direction of the flange part.

[Still another embodiment]
The separation membrane module of the present invention may be configured as shown in FIG. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a separation membrane module, and FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 7A.

  7 includes a hollow fiber bundle 115 in which hollow fiber membranes are bundled, a cylindrical container 110 in which the hollow fiber bundle 115 is accommodated, tube plates 130A and 130A provided at both ends of the hollow fiber bundle 115, a cylinder And caps 120 and 121 attached to the end of the container 110. Moreover, the O-ring 118 provided in the outer peripheral surface of each tube sheet 130A is also provided.

  In this example, the cylindrical container 110 includes a pipe 111 extending in the longitudinal direction of the module, and end members 112 and 112 attached to both ends thereof. A permeate gas (one example) discharge port 112h is formed in the peripheral wall of the end member 112 on the left side (gas introduction side) in the figure.

  Each end member 112 is formed with a flange portion 112f. On the other hand, flanges 120f and 121f are also formed on the caps 120 and 121, respectively. The flange portion 112f of the end member and the flange portion 120f of the cap are brought into contact with each other, and the cap 120 is attached to the end member 112 by using, for example, bolts and nuts (not shown in FIG. 7) as in the case of FIG. (The same applies to the cap 121).

  As shown in FIG. 7B, in this example, the tube sheet 130 </ b> A is disposed so as to be in close contact with a part of the inner peripheral surface of the cap 120 and a part of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical container 110. Each tube plate 130A has a stepped outer peripheral surface similar to the tube plate 30 'of FIG. 3, and the step portion on the outer peripheral surface of the tube plate contacts the step portion on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical container. As a result, the position of the tube sheet 130A in the axial direction (lateral direction in the drawing) is regulated.

  A step 120s is formed in an annular shape inside the flange 120f of the cap 120 in the radial direction. An O-ring 118 is disposed in an annular groove (cross-sectional shape is rectangular) formed by the step 120s and part of the flange 112f of the end member 112. The O-ring 118 ensures airtightness between the tube plate 130 </ b> A and the cap 120 and also ensures airtightness between the cap 120 and the end member 112.

  Although the peripheral structure of the O-ring 118 has been described by taking the structure of the cap 120 as an example, the same structure is provided on the cap 121 side. The means for fixing the flange portion is not limited to those using bolts and nuts. For example, the tip of the bolt is screwed into a screw hole formed in one of the flange portions 112f and 120f. Also good.

  According to the configuration shown in FIG. 7 described above, as in the first embodiment, the stepped portion is not provided in the tube plate 130A in the vicinity where the O-ring 118 is attached, so that as shown in FIG. Compared to the conventional structure, it is less susceptible to stress concentration when used at high temperatures. As a result, the high temperature resistance and reliability as the whole separation membrane module can be improved.

  Further, in the configuration of FIG. 7, the cylindrical container 110 is configured by the tube material 111 and the end members 112, 112, but according to such a configuration, the material of each member according to the property of each member This is advantageous in that can be selected as appropriate. In addition, this invention is not limited to this, You may utilize the cylindrical container of a single member that the pipe material and the holding member integrated.

The separation membrane module of the present invention may further be as shown in FIG.
In this module, basically, the cap 127 is fixed to the cylindrical container 110 ′ by a method in which the flange 127 f of the cap 127 and the flange 110 f of the cylindrical container 110 ′ are abutted with each other as in the configuration of FIG. 6B. However, the number of O-rings and the arrangement position are changed. The tube plate 130B is of a type that is in close contact with a part of the inner peripheral surface of the cap 127 and a part of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical container 110 ′, as in FIG.

  The first O-ring 118 is disposed in an annular groove 127g formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cap 127, and plays a role of ensuring airtightness between the tube sheet 130B and the cap 127. Although not limited, the annular groove 127g is formed at a position on the inner peripheral surface of the cap 127 that is slightly inside (left side in the drawing) from the end surface on the flange portion 127f side.

  The second O-ring 119 is disposed between the flange portion 110f and the flange portion 127f. In this example, an O-ring 119 is disposed in an annular groove 110g formed in the flange portion 110f of the cylindrical container 110. Such an O-ring 119 is not necessarily an essential component, but the O-ring 119 prevents gas from leaking outside through the flange portions 110f and 127f.

  Of course, such a configuration of the O-rings 118 and 119 can be used not only in the form depicted in FIG. 8 but also in appropriate combination with the above-described embodiment. Further, the groove for disposing the second O-ring 119 may be formed in the flange portion 127f of the cap 127.

  The separation membrane module of the present invention can be suitably used under high-temperature conditions (for example, an on-board inert gas generation system for an aircraft).

1, 1 ', 101 Separation membrane module 10, 110, 110' Tubular container 10a Inner peripheral surface 10f Flange 10h Opening 10s Step 10t Step 110g Groove 111 Tubing 112 End member 12, 112h Permeated gas discharge port 112f Flange part 14 Hollow fiber membrane 15, 115 Hollow fiber bundle 17 Annular seal member 18, 118, 119 O-ring 20, 21, 26, 27, 120, 121, 127 Cap 20h Opening part 120f Flange part 120s Step part 22A Mixed gas Inlet 22B Non-permeate gas outlet 27f Flange portion 127f Flange portion 127g Groove 30, 30 ', 38, 130A, 130B, 530 Tube plate 30s, 530s Stepped portion 30't Stepped portion 41 Discharge pipe 42 Fixing screw 43 Fixing tool

Claims (7)

A hollow fiber bundle in which a number of hollow fiber membranes having selective permeability are converged;
A cylindrical container that accommodates the hollow fiber bundle;
A tube plate provided at an end of the hollow fiber bundle, having a function of fixing the end of the bundle to the end of the cylindrical container and isolating the inside and the outside of the cylindrical container;
An annular seal member that seals between the outer peripheral surface of the tube sheet and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical container;
A separation membrane module used under high temperature conditions,
A separation membrane module in which a step portion is not provided on the tube plate in the periphery where the annular seal member is attached. A hollow fiber bundle in which a number of hollow fiber membranes having selective permeability are converged;
A cylindrical container that accommodates the hollow fiber bundle;
A tube plate provided at an end of the hollow fiber bundle, having a function of fixing the end of the bundle to the end of the cylindrical container and isolating the inside and the outside of the cylindrical container;
A separation membrane module used under high temperature conditions,
The tube plate is formed of a material having a thermal expansion coefficient larger than that of the cylindrical container, and
At normal temperature, there is a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the tube plate and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical container. When the temperature is raised to a predetermined temperature, the tube plate expands and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical container is Separation membrane module that seals against the inner peripheral surface and exhibits a sealing effect. A hollow fiber bundle in which a number of hollow fiber membranes having selective permeability are converged;
A cylindrical container that accommodates the hollow fiber bundle;
A tube plate provided at an end of the hollow fiber bundle, having a function of fixing the end of the bundle to the end of the cylindrical container and isolating the inside and the outside of the cylindrical container;
A cap attached to an end of the cylindrical container;
A separation membrane module comprising:
A separation membrane module, wherein a tubular member that forms a flow path that connects the inside and the outside of the cylindrical container is provided so as to penetrate a part of the cylindrical container and a part of the cap. further,
The separation membrane module according to claim 3, further comprising a fixing member that passes through a part of the peripheral wall of the cap and plays a role of fixing the cap and the cylindrical container. A hollow fiber bundle in which a number of hollow fiber membranes having selective permeability are converged;
A cylindrical container that accommodates the hollow fiber bundle;
A tube plate provided at an end of the hollow fiber bundle, having a function of fixing the end of the bundle to the end of the cylindrical container and isolating the inside and the outside of the cylindrical container;
A cap attached to an end of the cylindrical container;
A separation membrane module comprising:
A separation membrane module comprising a fixing member that passes through a part of the peripheral wall of the cap and plays a role of fixing the cap and the cylindrical container. A hollow fiber bundle in which a number of hollow fiber membranes having selective permeability are converged;
A cylindrical container that accommodates the hollow fiber bundle;
A tube plate provided at an end of the hollow fiber bundle, having a function of fixing the end of the bundle to the end of the cylindrical container and isolating the inside and the outside of the cylindrical container;
A cap attached to an end of the cylindrical container;
An annular seal member that seals between the outer peripheral surface of the tube sheet and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical container;
A separation membrane module comprising:
The method of fixing the cap to the cylindrical container is:
(I) a screw part formed on a part of the inner peripheral surface of the cap and a method of fixing using a screw part formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical container facing the cap, or
(Ii) A separation membrane module in which the flange portion of the cap and the flange portion of the cylindrical container facing the cap are connected and fixed by a fixture.   The separation membrane module according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the annular seal member further seals between the cap and the cylindrical container.

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