JP5012109B2 - Hollow fiber membrane module - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hollow fiber membrane module.

  Hollow fiber membrane modules are used in various fields (water purifiers and the like) in which membrane separation action is used. In particular, in recent years, the use as a humidifier for moisturizing an ion exchange membrane in a fuel cell has attracted attention.

  Here, in the hollow fiber membrane module, one of the important issues is how to increase the ratio of the utilized membrane area to the membrane area of the entire hollow fiber membrane housed in the case. It is. This greatly affects the humidification efficiency in the case of a hollow fiber membrane module for humidification. In the case of cross flow separation used in humidifying hollow fiber membrane modules, the flow of fluid flowing on the outer wall surface side of the hollow fiber membrane has a significant effect on the above problems, and the flow of fluid in the case It is a particularly important issue whether it can be made uniform.

  In order to make the fluid flow more uniform in the case, it is better to use a rectangular parallelepiped shape rather than a cylindrical shape. This point will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the flow of fluid when a hollow fiber membrane module according to a conventional example is viewed from the front side. In addition, FIG. 11 shows the flow of the fluid by a half sectional view (the upper half is a front view and the lower half is a sectional view) when viewed from the front side. FIG. 12 is a view for explaining the flow of fluid when the hollow fiber membrane module according to the conventional example is viewed from the side surface side.

  The hollow fiber membrane module 300 includes a hollow fiber membrane bundle 320 in which a plurality of hollow fiber membranes are bundled, and a case 310 that houses the hollow fiber membrane bundle 320. The case 310 is constituted by a substantially rectangular parallelepiped member having a cylindrical portion having a substantially rectangular cross section. An opening 311 serving as a fluid inlet is formed on one of a pair of surfaces facing each other, and an opening 312 serving as a fluid outlet is formed on the other surface. ing. An opening 311 serving as an inlet is formed on one end side of the case 310, and an opening 312 serving as an outlet is formed on the other end side of the case 310.

  In the case of the hollow fiber membrane module 300 configured as described above, the fluid entering from the opening 311 flows across the hollow fiber membrane bundle 320 and exits from the opening 312 (see arrow Z in the figure). When the case is a cylindrical hollow fiber membrane module, the flow rate near the center of the hollow fiber membrane bundle and the flow rate near the outside of the bundle tend to vary, whereas the case 310 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped hollow fiber. In the case of the membrane module 300, it is possible to suppress variations between the flow rate near the center of the hollow fiber membrane bundle and the flow rate near the outside of the bundle. Therefore, the ratio of the utilized membrane area to the membrane area of the entire hollow fiber membrane accommodated in the case can be made larger when the case has a rectangular parallelepiped shape than when the case has a cylindrical shape.

  However, also in the hollow fiber membrane module 300 configured as described above, the fluid flow tends to concentrate in the vicinity of the opening 311 serving as the inlet and in the vicinity of the opening 312 serving as the outlet. Therefore, there is a region where the flow rate becomes insufficient at a position away from these openings 311 and 312. By increasing the ratio of the flow rate of the fluid flowing in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the hollow fiber membrane extends, the ratio of the utilized membrane area can be increased. However, in the case of the hollow fiber membrane module 300 described above, the ratio of the flow rate of the fluid flowing parallel to the direction in which the hollow fiber membrane extends has not been sufficiently reduced.

  Further, in the case of the hollow fiber membrane module 300 described above, the hollow fiber membrane bundle 320 is simply filled in the case 310, and therefore the gap flows between the inner wall surface of the case 310 and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 320. The flow of fluid (see arrow Z1 in FIG. 12) cannot be sufficiently suppressed.

  Further, in the vicinity of the opening serving as the inlet, the flow of fluid tends to concentrate, so that the impact received by the hollow fiber membrane is large, and there is a problem that the hollow fiber membrane is likely to be damaged.

  For example, when used as a humidifier for a fuel cell, a fluid of about 4000 NL / min for in-vehicle use and about 10 to 1000 NL / min for stationary use flows in the hollow fiber membrane module. Therefore, pipes connected to the hollow fiber membrane module for flowing a fluid into the hollow fiber membrane module have a large inner diameter of 12 to 60 mm in order to reduce pressure loss.

  Therefore, a large amount of fluid flows into the case of the hollow fiber membrane module, and a large fluid pressure acts locally near the fluid supply portion of the hollow fiber membrane. As a result, the flow of fluid in the case may become uneven, or the hollow fiber membrane may be damaged.

In addition, as a related technique, there exists what was disclosed by patent documents 1-3.
JP 2005-224719 A JP 2004-6100 A JP 2005-34715 A

  The objective of this invention is providing the hollow fiber membrane module which aimed at the increase in the ratio of the membrane area utilized.

  The present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above problems.

That is, the hollow fiber membrane module of the present invention is
A hollow fiber membrane bundle in which a plurality of hollow fiber membranes are bundled;
A cylindrical case for storing the hollow fiber membrane bundle;
Sealing fixing portions for sealing and fixing the end portions of the hollow fiber membrane bundle at one end side and the other end side of the case so that the hollow interior of each hollow fiber membrane is opened;
With
In the case body, an opening serving as an inlet of a flow path passing through the outer wall surface of the hollow fiber membrane in the case is formed on one end of the case, and an opening serving as an outlet is the other end of the case. In the hollow fiber membrane module formed in
The case includes a pair of surfaces facing each other and a pair of side surfaces connecting the surfaces.
The opening serving as the inlet is formed on one surface of the pair of opposed surfaces, and the opening serving as the outlet is formed on the other surface,
Between one surface of the pair of opposed surfaces and the hollow fiber membrane bundle, and between the other surface and the hollow fiber membrane bundle, in a region extending from one end side to the other end side of the case. A gap is provided in a region excluding a portion where the sealing fixing portion is provided, and the pair of side surfaces and the hollow fiber membrane bundle are configured without a gap ,
The gap between one surface of the pair of opposed surfaces and the hollow fiber membrane bundle and the gap between the other surface and the hollow fiber membrane bundle are maintained at a certain distance or more. In addition, a rectifying plate for adjusting the flow of fluid from one end side to the other end side of the case is provided .

According to the present invention, the fluid that has entered from one side of the pair of opposing surfaces flows to the other side, so the flow rate near the center of the hollow fiber membrane bundle and the flow rate near the outside of the bundle And variation in the above can be suppressed. And the fluid which entered from the opening part used as an entrance by the crevice provided between one side and a hollow fiber membrane bundle of a pair of opposite sides is abbreviated from one end side of the case to the other end side. It can flow through the whole area without much resistance. Further, the fluid directed toward the opening serving as the outlet is also substantially entirely from the one end side to the other end side of the case by the gap provided between the other surface of the pair of opposing surfaces and the hollow fiber membrane bundle. Can flow without much resistance. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the concentration of the fluid flow in the vicinity of the opening serving as the inlet or in the vicinity of the opening serving as the outlet. Therefore, in the entire region from one end side to the other end side of the case, the ratio of the fluid flowing in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the hollow fiber membrane extends can be increased. From the above, it is possible to increase the ratio of the utilized membrane area to the membrane area of the entire hollow fiber membrane housed in the case. In addition, since the gap between the pair of side surfaces and the hollow fiber membrane bundle is configured without a gap, the fluid may exit from the opening serving as an outlet without passing through the hollow fiber membrane bundle from the side surface side of the hollow fiber membrane bundle. Can be suppressed. Further, the flow straightening plate allows the fluid entering from the opening serving as the inlet and the fluid going to the opening serving as the outlet to flow over almost the entire region from the one end side to the other end side of the case without receiving resistance. Can be.

  Between the one surface of the pair of opposed surfaces and the hollow fiber membrane bundle, and between the other surface and the hollow fiber membrane bundle, both ends in the width direction of the hollow fiber membrane bundle are configured without a gap. It is good to be done.

  Thereby, it can suppress effectively that a fluid comes out from the opening part used as an exit, without passing through the inside of a hollow fiber membrane bundle from the side surface side of a hollow fiber membrane bundle.

  The opening serving as the inlet and the opening serving as the outlet may be formed so that the width direction region is substantially the entire width region of the portion where the gap is provided.

  Thereby, the dispersion | variation with the flow volume near the center of the width direction of a hollow fiber membrane bundle and the flow volume near both sides can be suppressed.

  A buffer member that has a plurality of holes that communicate with the inside and outside of the case at a position between the outside of the case and the hollow fiber membrane bundle on the fluid flow path that flows through the opening serving as the inlet, and that cushions the impact of the fluid. It is suitable to provide.

  Thereby, the impact of the fluid entering the case from the opening serving as the inlet is buffered by the buffer member. Further, the fluid is guided into the hollow fiber membrane bundle while being dispersed by the plurality of holes provided in the buffer member. Therefore, the portion near the entrance in the hollow fiber membrane bundle is effectively utilized while buffering the impact.

  The buffer member is a mesh member, and the diameter of the hole of the mesh member is preferably 0.2 mm or more and 6.0 mm or less.

  The buffer member is a mesh member, and the porosity of the mesh member is preferably 40% or more and 98% or less.

  In addition, said each structure can be employ | adopted combining as much as possible.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to increase the ratio of the utilized film area.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be exemplarily described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to those unless otherwise specified. .

Example 1
With reference to FIGS. 1-7, the hollow fiber membrane module which concerns on Example 1 of this invention is demonstrated.

<Configuration of hollow fiber membrane module>
With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the structure of the hollow fiber membrane module which concerns on Example 1 of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a use state of a hollow fiber membrane module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a half cross-sectional view (the upper half is a front view and the lower half is a cross-sectional view) of the hollow fiber membrane module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention as viewed from the front side. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the hollow fiber membrane module according to Example 1 of the present invention cut in parallel to the hollow fiber membrane. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the hollow fiber membrane module according to Example 1 of the present invention cut perpendicularly to the hollow fiber membrane. 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross section taken along BB in FIG.

  The hollow fiber membrane module 100 according to the present embodiment includes a hollow fiber membrane bundle 20 in which a plurality of hollow fiber membranes are bundled, and a case 10 that houses the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20. The both ends of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20 are sealed and fixed at both ends of the case 10 so that the hollow interior of each hollow fiber membrane is opened. In the figure, 31 and 32 are sealing fixing parts (potting parts).

  The case 10 is configured by a substantially rectangular parallelepiped member having a cylindrical portion having a substantially rectangular cross section. The case 10 includes a pair of opposite surfaces (one surface 10a and the other surface 10b) and a pair of side surfaces 10c and 10d that connect these surfaces. An opening 11 serving as a fluid inlet is formed on one surface 10a of the case 10, and an opening 12 serving as a fluid outlet is formed on the other surface 10b. An opening 11 serving as an inlet is formed on one end side of the case 10, and an opening 12 serving as an outlet is formed on the other end side of the case 10.

  A gap S <b> 1 is provided between the one surface 10 a and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20. Further, a gap S <b> 2 is also provided between the other surface 10 b and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20. These gaps S1 and S2 are provided in the region in the direction from one end side to the other end side of the case 10 except for the portion where the sealing fixing portions 31 and 32 are provided (FIGS. 1 and 3). reference).

  In contrast, the pair of side surfaces 10c, 10d and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20 are configured without a gap. Also, between the one surface 10a and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20 and between the other surface 10b and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20, both ends in the width direction of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20 are configured without a gap. (See FIG. 4).

Further, in the gaps S1 and S2 between the one surface 10a and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20 and between the other surface 10b and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20, the gaps S1 and S2 are maintained at a certain distance or more. And a rectifying plate 40 for adjusting the flow of the fluid from one end side to the other end side of the case 10. In this embodiment, three rectifying plates 40 are provided in each gap S1, S2.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the openings 11 and 12 are formed such that the region W in the width direction is substantially the entire width region of the portion where the gaps S1 and S2 are provided (FIG. 4). reference).

  The hollow fiber membrane module 100 configured as described above is used in a state in which the heads 201 and 202 are mounted on both ends thereof. The heads 201 and 202 are provided with two openings 201a, 201b, 202a, and 202b, respectively.

  The fluid that has entered the case 10 from the opening 201 a of the head 201 through the opening 11 of the case 10 flows on the outer wall surface side of the hollow fiber membrane, passes through the opening 12 of the case 10, and passes through the opening of the case 202. It goes out of the opening 202a (see arrow X in FIG. 1). Further, the fluid that has entered from the opening 202 b of the head 202 passes through the hollow interior of each hollow fiber membrane of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20 from the other end side of the case 10, exits from one end side of the case 10, and opens the head 201. It goes out of the part 201b (see arrow Y in FIG. 1).

  Thus, a flow path that passes through the hollow interior of the hollow fiber membrane and a flow path that passes through the outer wall surface side of the hollow fiber membrane are formed, and membrane separation by crossflow is performed by the membrane of the hollow fiber membrane. When the hollow fiber membrane module 100 is used for humidification, a hydrophilic material is used as the material of the hollow fiber membrane. Thereby, by supplying the gas to be humidified to one channel and flowing water vapor or the like to the other channel, the moisture moves to the one channel side by the membrane separation action, and the humidified gas can be humidified. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, seal rings O1, O3, O2, and O4 are attached to both sides of the opening 11 and both sides of the opening 12, respectively. Thereby, it can prevent that a fluid leaks between each flow path or the exterior.

<The excellent point of the hollow fiber membrane module which concerns on a present Example>
In particular, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, an excellent point of the hollow fiber membrane module 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. 5-7 is a figure explaining how all the fluids which flow through the outer wall surface side of a hollow fiber membrane flow. 5 corresponds to FIG. 2, FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 3, and FIG. 7 corresponds to FIG. In these drawings, an arrow X indicates how the fluid flows on the outer wall surface side of the hollow fiber membrane.

  According to the hollow fiber membrane module 100 according to the present embodiment, the fluid that has entered from the one surface 10a side of the pair of opposing surfaces flows to the other surface 10b side. Variation in the flow rate near the center and the flow rate near the outside of the bundle can be suppressed.

  And, by the gap S1 provided between the one surface 10a and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20, the fluid that has entered from the opening 11 serving as an inlet flows over substantially the entire region from one end side to the other end side of the case 10, It can flow without much resistance. Further, due to the gap S2 provided between the other surface 10b and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20, the fluid heading toward the opening 12 serving as the outlet is not much in the entire region from the one end side to the other end side of the case 10. It can flow without receiving resistance (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The gaps S1 and S2 are preferably set to 10 to 20% of the thickness of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20 (distance from the inlet side surface to the outlet side surface).

  Thereby, it is possible to alleviate the concentration of the fluid flow in the vicinity of the opening 11 serving as the inlet and in the vicinity of the opening 12 serving as the outlet. Therefore, in the entire region from the one end side to the other end side of the case 10, the ratio of the fluid flowing in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the hollow fiber membrane extends can be increased.

  From the above, the ratio of the utilized membrane area can be increased with respect to the membrane area of the entire hollow fiber membrane accommodated in the case 10. Thereby, if the hollow fiber membrane module 100 which concerns on a present Example is used for humidification, humidification efficiency can be improved. Accordingly, the hollow fiber membrane module 100 can be reduced in size. In particular, an apparatus for humidifying each fuel gas (hydrogen, oxygen, air, etc.) in a fuel cell is often required to be downsized, and the hollow fiber membrane module 100 according to this embodiment is preferably used. be able to.

  Moreover, since it is comprised without a clearance gap between a pair of side surface 10c, 10d and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20, the opening part which becomes an exit without a fluid passing through the hollow fiber membrane bundle from the side surface side of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20 It can suppress coming out of 12 (refer FIG. 7).

  In particular, in the present embodiment, both end portions in the width direction of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20 between the one surface 10a and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20 and between the other surface 10b and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20 are also included. Configured without gaps. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively suppress the fluid from exiting from the opening 12 serving as an outlet without passing through the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20 from the side surface side of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20 (see FIG. 7).

  Further, in the present embodiment, by providing the current plate 40, the fluid entering from the opening 11 serving as the inlet and the fluid going to the opening 12 serving as the outlet from the one end side to the other end side of the case 10 are substantially omitted. It can be made to flow without resistance over the entire area. The length of the rectifying plate 40 in the longitudinal direction (the direction in which the hollow fiber membrane extends) is preferably set to 40 to 95% of the length in the longitudinal direction between the openings 11 and 12.

  Furthermore, the opening 11 serving as the entrance and the opening 12 serving as the exit are formed such that the width direction region W is substantially the entire width region of the portion where the gaps S1 and S2 are provided. Therefore, it is possible to suppress variation between the flow rate near the center in the width direction of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20 and the flow rate near both sides.

  In the hollow fiber membrane module 100 described above, when the effective length of the hollow fiber membrane in the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20 (corresponding to the distance between the inner wall surfaces of the sealing fixing portions 31 and 32) is 1, the hollow fiber membrane The lateral width of the bundle 20 (the lateral width of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20 in FIG. 4) is preferably 0.40 to 0.85, and the thickness of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20 is preferably 0.10 to 0.35. By carrying out like this, the pressure loss of the fluid at the time of a fluid flowing through the inside of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20 can be suppressed. Accordingly, the fluid flow inside the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20 can be kept uniform.

  In particular, if the thickness of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20 (approximately equal to the distance when the fluid crosses the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20) is too thick, the pressure loss becomes large. This also becomes a factor that hinders the uniformity of the flow of the fluid flowing through the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20. Therefore, pressure loss can be effectively suppressed by setting the dimensions as described above.

(Example 2)
8 to 10 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, a configuration in which a buffer member that cushions the impact of the fluid is provided near the opening formed in the case will be described. Since other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  With reference to FIGS. 8-10, the hollow fiber membrane module which concerns on Example 2 of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a use state of the hollow fiber membrane module according to Example 2 of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a half cross-sectional view (upper half is a front view and lower half is a cross-sectional view) of a hollow fiber membrane module according to a second embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front side. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the hollow fiber membrane module according to Example 2 of the present invention cut in parallel to the hollow fiber membrane. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in FIG.

  The hollow fiber membrane module 100a according to the present embodiment is further provided with a buffer member 51 with respect to the configuration of the hollow fiber membrane module 100 according to the first embodiment. The buffer member 51 is provided on the flow path of the fluid flowing through the opening 11 serving as an inlet and at a position between the outside of the case 10 and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20, and the inner wall surface of one surface 10 a of the case 10. It is provided on the side so as to cover the opening 11.

  The buffer member 51 has a plurality of holes that communicate with the inside and outside of the case through the opening 11, so that the shock of the fluid is buffered while the flow of the fluid is dispersed. As a specific example of the buffer member 51, a mesh-like member made of metal, resin, elastomer or the like, or a porous body made of resin, elastomer, ceramics, or the like can be suitably applied. In addition, what is necessary is just to select the material which does not deteriorate suitably according to the fluid (gas or liquid) which passes the opening part 11. FIG.

  Here, when a mesh-like member is used as the buffer member 51, a buffer function (a function of dispersing the fluid flow and suppressing the fluid from directly colliding with the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20) and In consideration of pressure loss (the smaller the pressure loss, the better), the mesh hole diameter is preferably 0.2 mm or more and 6.0 mm or less. In view of the above, the mesh porosity is preferably 40% or more and 98% or less. In addition, a buffer function becomes low, so that the diameter of the hole of a mesh becomes large, and a pressure loss becomes large, so that the diameter of the hole of a mesh becomes small. Further, the higher the mesh porosity, the lower the buffer function, and the lower the mesh porosity, the greater the pressure loss.

  Further, if the thickness of the buffer member 51 is too thick, the pressure loss increases, and if it is too thin, the mechanical strength decreases, so it is necessary to set it to an appropriate thickness. For example, in the case of a SUS mesh, 0.3 mm to 2 mm, in the case of a resin or elastomer mesh, 0.1 mm to 1 mm, in the case of a resin or ceramic porous body, 1 mm to 3 mm. It is preferable to set to.

  In the present embodiment, a buffer member 52 is similarly provided on the side of the opening 12 serving as an outlet. This is so that either may be used as an entrance.

  As described above, according to the hollow fiber membrane module 100 a according to the present embodiment, the shock of the fluid entering the case 10 from the opening 11 serving as the inlet is buffered by the buffer member 51. The fluid is guided to the inside of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20 while being dispersed by the plurality of holes provided in the buffer member 51. Therefore, the portion of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 20 near the inlet is effectively utilized while buffering the impact of the flowing fluid.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a use state of a hollow fiber membrane module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a half sectional view of the hollow fiber membrane module according to Example 1 of the present invention as seen from the front side. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the hollow fiber membrane module according to Example 1 of the present invention cut in parallel to the hollow fiber membrane. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the hollow fiber membrane module according to Example 1 of the present invention cut perpendicularly to the hollow fiber membrane. FIG. 5 is a view for explaining how the fluid flows on the outer wall surface side of the hollow fiber membrane in the hollow fiber membrane module according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a view for explaining how the fluid flows on the outer wall surface side of the hollow fiber membrane in the hollow fiber membrane module according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a view for explaining how the fluid flows on the outer wall surface side of the hollow fiber membrane in the hollow fiber membrane module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a use state of the hollow fiber membrane module according to Example 2 of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a half sectional view of the hollow fiber membrane module according to Example 2 of the present invention as seen from the front side. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the hollow fiber membrane module according to Example 2 of the present invention cut in parallel to the hollow fiber membrane. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the flow of fluid when a hollow fiber membrane module according to a conventional example is viewed from the front side. FIG. 12 is a view for explaining the flow of fluid when the hollow fiber membrane module according to the conventional example is viewed from the side surface side.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Case 10a One surface 10b The other surface 10c, 10d Side surface 11, 12 Opening part 20 Hollow fiber membrane bundle 31, 32 Sealing fixing part 40 Current plate 51, 52 Buffer member 100, 100a Hollow fiber membrane module 201, 202 Head 201a, 201b, 202a, 202b Openings O1, O3, O2, O4 Seal ring S1, S2 Clearance

Claims (7)

A hollow fiber membrane bundle in which a plurality of hollow fiber membranes are bundled;
A cylindrical case for storing the hollow fiber membrane bundle;
Sealing fixing portions for sealing and fixing the end portions of the hollow fiber membrane bundle at one end side and the other end side of the case so that the hollow interior of each hollow fiber membrane is opened;
With
In the case body, an opening serving as an inlet of a flow path passing through the outer wall surface of the hollow fiber membrane in the case is formed on one end of the case, and an opening serving as an outlet is the other end of the case. In the hollow fiber membrane module formed in
The case includes a pair of surfaces facing each other and a pair of side surfaces connecting the surfaces.
The opening serving as the inlet is formed on one surface of the pair of opposed surfaces, and the opening serving as the outlet is formed on the other surface,
Between one surface of the pair of opposed surfaces and the hollow fiber membrane bundle, and between the other surface and the hollow fiber membrane bundle, in a region extending from one end side to the other end side of the case. A gap is provided in a region excluding a portion where the sealing fixing portion is provided, and the pair of side surfaces and the hollow fiber membrane bundle are configured without a gap ,
The gap between one surface of the pair of opposed surfaces and the hollow fiber membrane bundle and the gap between the other surface and the hollow fiber membrane bundle are maintained at a certain distance or more. In addition, a hollow fiber membrane module characterized in that a rectifying plate for adjusting the flow of fluid from one end side to the other end side of the case is provided .   Between the one surface of the pair of opposed surfaces and the hollow fiber membrane bundle, and between the other surface and the hollow fiber membrane bundle, both ends in the width direction of the hollow fiber membrane bundle are configured without a gap. The hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 1, wherein: The opening portion serving as the inlet and the opening portion serving as the outlet are formed so that a region in the width direction is substantially the entire width region of a portion where a gap is provided. Or the hollow fiber membrane module of 2. A buffer member that has a plurality of holes that communicate with the inside and outside of the case at a position between the outside of the case and the hollow fiber membrane bundle on the fluid flow path that flows through the opening serving as the inlet, and that cushions the impact of the fluid. The hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 1 , 2, or 3 . The buffer member is a mesh-like member,
The hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 4 , wherein the diameter of the holes of the mesh member is 0.2 mm or more and 6.0 mm or less. The buffer member is a mesh-like member,
The hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 4 , wherein the mesh member has a porosity of 40% to 98%.   5. The hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 4, wherein the buffer member is a mesh-like member made of resin or elastomer and having a thickness of 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

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