JP7119334B2 - Separation membrane module - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a separation membrane module used for separating some components from fluids such as solutions and mixed gases.

A separation membrane module is known as a device for separating components in a solution or mixed gas. The tubular separation membrane used in this separation membrane module has a tubular porous ceramic support and a porous separation membrane made of zeolite or the like provided on the outer peripheral surface of the support. In order to separate a specific component from a fluid such as a solution or a mixed gas, the solution fluid is brought into contact with one side (outer surface) of the separation membrane element, and the other side (inner surface) is decompressed to remove the specific component. A method of vaporizing and separating, a method of vaporizing the solution and bringing it into contact with the separation membrane in a gaseous state, depressurizing the non-contact side to separate the specific component, and a method of contacting the pressurized mixed gas with the separation membrane. A method for separating a specific component and the like are known.

Patent Document 1 (especially FIG. 6(a) thereof) discloses a tubular separation membrane having a vertically arranged cylindrical housing and a plurality of tubular separation membranes vertically arranged in the housing. An end pipe is connected to the lower end of the end pipe, the end pipe protrudes from the upper surface of a support plate installed across the housing, an insertion hole is provided in the upper surface of the support plate, and the end pipe is inserted into the insertion hole, and an O-ring seals between the lower end surface of the end tube and the bottom surface of the insertion hole.

JP 2016-155093 A

In the structure of Patent Document 1, an end tube connected to the lower end of a tubular separation membrane is inserted into an insertion hole in a support plate, and an O-ring seals between the lower end surface of the end tube and the bottom surface of the insertion hole. , it is necessary to form a groove for mounting an O-ring on the lower end surface of the end pipe, and it takes time and effort to manufacture the end pipe. Also, if the load on the O-ring from the tubular separation membrane or the end tube is large, the O-ring may be crushed so much that the lower end surface of the end tube comes into direct contact with the bottom surface of the insertion hole, degrading the sealing performance. be. In addition, in the case where the O-ring is fitted into the groove on the bottom surface of the end pipe (Fig. 6a), even if the end pipe is slightly tilted from the vertical, there is a risk that the sealing performance of the O-ring will deteriorate. This problem can be solved by precisely matching the outer diameter of the end pipe to the inner diameter of the insertion hole. There is a problem that the separation performance deteriorates due to adhesion to the separation membrane due to

Furthermore, if the separation membrane is made of a fragile material such as ceramic, the task of fitting a gasket to the end tube integrated with the long fragile separation membrane and applying stress to the separation membrane by inserting hundreds of end tubes fitted with the gasket. At the construction site of a natural gas production plant, it is extremely difficult to carry out the work of feeding into the bayonet without adding .

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention has good sealing performance between an end tube connected to one end of a tubular separation membrane and a support plate, and can be used in a wide temperature range. An object of the present invention is to provide a separation membrane module which is easy to install.

A separation membrane module of the present invention (first invention) has a cylindrical housing and a plurality of tubular separation membranes arranged in the housing in the longitudinal direction of the housing, and a fluid to be treated flows through the housing. A separation membrane module in which a fluid that flows from one end side to the other end side and permeates the tubular separation membrane is taken out through the tubular separation membrane, wherein an end pipe is connected to one end of the tubular separation membrane, and the end pipe is connected to the tubular separation membrane. is a separation membrane module protruding from one surface of a support plate installed across the housing, wherein one surface of the support plate is provided with an insertion hole, and the end tube is inserted into the separation membrane module; It is characterized in that it is inserted into the insertion hole, and a gasket seals between the end surface of the end pipe and the bottom surface of the insertion hole.

The separation membrane module of the present invention (second invention) has a cylindrical housing and a plurality of tubular separation membranes arranged in the housing in the longitudinal direction of the housing, and the fluid to be treated flows through the housing. A separation membrane module in which a fluid that flows from one end side to the other end side and permeates the tubular separation membrane is taken out through the tubular separation membrane, wherein an end pipe is connected to one end of the tubular separation membrane, and the end pipe is connected to the tubular separation membrane. The distal end of the separation membrane module is connected to a support plate installed across the housing, wherein the end tube is provided with a flange portion near the distal end, and is located on the distal end side of the flange portion. The insertion portion is inserted into an insertion through hole provided in the support plate, and a gasket installation recess is formed on the tubular separation membrane side of the insertion through hole. A gasket is sandwiched between the bottom surface of the gasket installation recess and the flange portion.

In one aspect of the present invention, a male screw is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tip end side of the insertion portion, and the end pipe and the support plate are fixed by tightening a nut onto the male screw. there is

In one aspect of the present invention, a spring washer is interposed between the nut and the support plate.

In one aspect of the present invention, a washer is interposed between the spring washer and the support plate.

In one aspect of the present invention, the tubular separation membrane is installed vertically, and the end tube is connected to the lower end of the tubular separation membrane.

In the separation membrane module of the present invention (first invention), the end tube is connected to the support plate by inserting the end tube into the insertion hole provided in the support plate. In the present invention, the gasket interposed between the end surface of the end pipe and the bottom surface of the insertion hole seals between the end pipe and the support plate. Even if the load applied from the tubular separation membrane and the support plate is large, or if the end tube is slightly inclined, the gasket is interposed between the end surface of the end tube and the bottom surface of the insertion hole, and the end surface and Since the bottom of the insertion hole is sufficiently pressed against the gasket, the sealing performance between the end pipe and the support plate is good.

In the separation membrane module of the present invention (second invention), the end tube is connected to the support plate by inserting the insertion portion of the end tube into the insertion through hole provided in the support plate. In the present invention, the seal between the end pipe and the support plate is performed by the gasket interposed between the flange portion of the end pipe and the bottom surface of the gasket installation recess. Even if the load applied from the tubular separation membrane and the support plate is large, or if the end tube is slightly tilted, the gasket is interposed between the flange portion and the bottom surface of the gasket installation recess, and the flange portion and the gasket installation recess are maintained. is sufficiently pressed against the gasket, so that the sealing performance between the end pipe and the support plate is good.

In the present invention, since it is not necessary to provide an O-ring mounting groove in the end pipe, it is easy to manufacture the end pipe.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the separation membrane module according to the embodiment along the direction of the housing axis. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1; 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an end tube and a support plate; FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 4; FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the separation membrane module according to the embodiment along the direction of the housing axis. FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an end tube and a support plate in another embodiment; Figure 8 is an exploded view of Figure 7;

A separation membrane module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

This separation membrane module 1 comprises a cylindrical housing 2 whose vertical direction is the axial direction of the cylinder, a plurality of tubular separation membranes 3 arranged parallel to the axial center line of the housing 2 , and a a bottom cover 6A attached to the lower end of the housing 2, a top cover 6B attached to the upper end of the housing 2; It has a baffle (rectifying plate) 7, a second baffle (rectifying plate) 8, and the like. The first baffle 7 is arranged above the support plate 5 .

In this embodiment, outward flanges 2a, 2b, 6b, and 6c are provided on the lower and upper ends of the housing 2 and the outer peripheral edges of the bottom cover 6A and top cover 6B, respectively, and these are fixed by bolts (not shown). It is A peripheral portion of the support plate 5 is sandwiched between the flanges 2a and 6b via a gasket (not shown).

In this embodiment, an end tube 4 is connected to the lower end of tubular separation membrane 3 . An end plug 20 is connected to the upper end of the tubular separation membrane 3 . Although only seven tubular separation membranes are shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a large number of tubular separation membranes are actually provided as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, the tubular separation membrane 3 is a single piece, but as shown in FIG. The joint pipe 17 has a through hole penetrating in the pipe axial direction. Both end sides (upper end side and lower end side) of the joint pipe 17 are small diameter portions that are inserted into the tubular separation membrane 3 . In order to install the tubular separation membrane 3 parallel to the joint pipe and to improve the sealing performance, a groove may be provided around the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion, and an O-ring (not shown) may be attached. .

A large-diameter portion is formed between the small-diameter portions on both end sides of the joint pipe 17, and the boundary portion between the small-diameter portion and the large-diameter portion is a stepped surface. An O-ring or gasket is also interposed between this step surface and the end surface of the tubular separation membrane 3 . The joint tube 17 and tubular separation membrane 3 may be sealed by using a heat-shrinkable tube without using an O-ring, or may be sealed by using a heat-shrinkable tube in addition to using an O-ring.

An inlet 9 for the fluid to be treated is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion of the housing 2, and an outlet 10 for the fluid to be treated is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion. The inlet 9 is provided to face the chamber 11 between the support plate 5 and the first baffle 7 . Outlet 10 is provided to face chamber 12 above second baffle 8 . Between the baffles 7 and 8 is a main chamber 13 for membrane separation.

A plurality of rods 14 are erected from the support plate 5 at the bottom, and the baffles 7 and 8 are supported by the rods 14 . A male screw is formed on the lower end of the rod 14 and screwed into a female screw hole of the support plate 5 . The baffles 7 and 8 are supported at a predetermined height by sheath tubes 14A and 14B (FIG. 4) fitted on the rod 14. As shown in FIG. The sleeve tube 14A is arranged between the support plate 5 and the baffle 7. As shown in FIG. The sleeve tube 14B is arranged between the baffles 7,8. The baffle 8 is mounted on the upper end surface of the sleeve tube 14B and fixed by a nut screwed onto the upper end of the rod 14. As shown in FIG. The number of baffles does not depend on this embodiment, and three or more baffles may be used.

Sealing members such as O-rings, V-packings, and C-rings are interposed between the outer peripheral surfaces of the baffles 7 and 8 and the inner peripheral surface of the housing 2 to prevent gas from preferentially flowing through the outer peripheral portion of the housing 2. can be

Each baffle 7, 8 is provided with a circular insertion hole 7a, 8a through which the tubular separation membrane 3 is inserted. , 8a. The bore diameters of the through holes 7a and 8a are larger than the diameters (outer diameters) of the tubular separation membrane 3, the end tube 4 and the end plug 20, and the inner peripheral surfaces of the through holes 7a and 8a and the end tube 4 and the end plug 20 are aligned. A gap is formed over the entire circumference between the outer peripheral surface.

An insertion hole 5 a into which the lower end of the end tube 4 connected to the tubular separation membrane 3 is inserted is provided on the upper surface side of the support plate 5 . The insertion hole 5a is cylindrical and extends from the upper surface of the support plate 5 halfway in the thickness direction. The bottom of the insertion hole 5a faces the outflow chamber 16 below the support plate 5 via the small hole 5b and the large hole 5c (or only the small hole 5 without the large hole 5c).

A gasket 30 is interposed between the lower end surface of the end pipe 4 and the bottom surface 5t of the insertion hole 5. As shown in FIG. The gasket 30 is disc-shaped and has an opening 31 in the center. When the diameter of the end pipe 4 is about 5.0-25.0 mm, the thickness of the gasket 30 is preferably about 0.2-5.0 mm, more preferably about 0.5-2.0 mm. The material of the gasket 30 is a polymer material such as silicone rubber, natural rubber, viton, perfluoroelastomer, tetrafluoroethylene resin, expanded graphite, a composite of expanded graphite and a stainless steel plate, or a metal tube. A so-called metal gasket composed of a composite of a coil spring and a coil spring is exemplified, but not limited to this.

The pipe hole 4a of each end pipe 4 communicates with the outflow chamber 16 between the bottom cover 6A and the support plate 5 via the opening 31, the small hole 5b and the large hole 5c. The bottom cover 6A is provided with an outlet 6a for the separated permeated fluid.

As shown in FIG. 5, the end tube 4 has a small diameter portion 4g at its upper end and is inserted into the lower portion of the tubular separation membrane 3. As shown in FIG. An O-ring 32 may be fitted in a groove provided around the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 4g so that the centers of the end tube 4g and the tubular separation membrane 3 are aligned. An O-ring or gasket 33 is also interposed between the lower end surface of the tubular separation membrane 3 and the stepped surface of the end tube 4 . The connecting portion between the end tube 4 and the tubular separation membrane 3 may be sealed by using a heat-shrinkable tube without using an O-ring or the like as described above, or may be further heat-shrunk using an O-ring or the like. A tube may be used.

An end plug 20 is connected to the upper end of the tubular separation membrane 3 . The end plug 20 has a cylindrical shape or a shape obtained by shaving a part of the column, and seals the upper end of the tubular separation membrane 3 . The lower end of the end plug 20 is provided with a small diameter portion that is inserted into the tubular separation membrane 3 . An O-ring seals between the end plug 20 and the tubular separation membrane 3 . Although not shown, the sealing structure between the end plug 20 and the tubular separation membrane 3 is similar to the sealing structure between the end tube 4 and the tubular separation membrane 3 . The end plug 20 and the tubular separation membrane 3 may be sealed by using a heat-shrinkable tube without using an O-ring, or may be sealed by using a heat-shrinkable tube in addition to using an O-ring.

In this embodiment, since the end plug 20 is arranged on the upper end side of the tubular separation membrane 3 , the load of the end plug 20 , the tubular separation membrane 3 and the end tube 4 is applied to the gasket 30 . Therefore, the lower end surface of the end pipe 4 and the bottom surface 5t of the insertion hole are in close contact with the gasket 30, thereby obtaining good sealing performance. Even if the tubular separation membrane 3 and the like are heavy, the gasket 30 is always interposed between the lower end surface of the end tube 4 and the bottom surface 5t of the insertion hole, resulting in good sealing performance. Moreover, even if the end pipe 4 is slightly inclined, the entire lower end face of the end pipe 4 is kept in close contact with the gasket 30, so good sealing performance can be obtained.

In the present invention, the end tube 4 and the support plate 5 may be arranged on the upper end side of the tubular separation membrane 3 and the end plug 20 may be arranged on the lower end side of the tubular separation membrane 3 . In this case, it is preferable to apply a load such that the upper end surface of the end pipe and the bottom surface of the insertion hole are pressed against the gasket 30 by providing an urging member such as a spring for urging the end plug 20 upward.

In this embodiment, the end tube 4 and the support plate 5 can be easily connected in an airtight or liquid-tight manner simply by inserting the lower end of the end tube 4 into the insertion hole 5a. Since the insertion hole 5a is cylindrical, the work of drilling the insertion hole 5a in the support plate 5 is easy, and the support plate 5 is also easy to manufacture. Further, the work of drilling an O-ring mounting groove in the end pipe 4 is not required. Furthermore, by providing the above biasing member, the end pipe 4 is in vertical contact with the gasket 30 even if the fitting tolerance between the end pipe 4 and the insertion hole 5a is loosened, and the tilting of the end pipe 4 prevents sealing. less likely to deteriorate. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the manufacturing period and reduce the manufacturing cost of the separation membrane module.

In the separation process, the outside of the tubular separation membrane 3 has a higher pressure than the inside. This force is transmitted to the end pipe 4 and serves as a force to bring the end pipe 4 into close contact with the gasket 30, thereby improving the sealing performance.

In this embodiment, since the gasket 30 is interposed between the lower end surface of the end pipe 4 and the bottom surface 5t, there is a gap between the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 5a and the outer peripheral surface of the end pipe 4. Also, it is easy to keep the end tube 4 vertical.

In this separation membrane module 1, the fluid to be treated is introduced from the inlet 9 into the chamber 11 of the housing 2, passes through the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 7a of the baffle 7 and the outer peripheral surface of the end tube 4. After flowing into the main chamber 13 and passing through the main chamber 13 , it flows out into the chamber 12 through the gap between the insertion hole 8 a of the baffle 8 and the end plug 20 . While flowing through the main chamber 13, some components of the fluid to be treated permeate the tubular separation membrane 3 and are taken out of the tubular separation membrane 3 through the outflow chamber 16 and the outlet 6a. The fluid that has not permeated flows out of the separation membrane module 1 from the outlet 10 .

The flow in the main chamber 13 and the flow in the tubular separation membrane 3 may be cocurrent or countercurrent, and the inflow port 9 and the outflow port 10 of the fluid to be treated may be interchanged.

The separation membrane module 1 may be used with the top cover 6B facing upward as shown in FIG. 1, or may be used with the bottom cover 6A facing upward. Also, the separation membrane module 1 may be placed horizontally so that the direction connecting the bottom cover 6A and the top cover 6B is substantially horizontal.

In this embodiment, a large number of tubular separation membranes 3 are arranged in parallel, and since the membrane area is large, membrane separation can be carried out efficiently.

In this embodiment, end tubes 4 and end plugs 20 connected to both upper and lower ends of tubular separation membrane 3 are inserted into insertion holes 7a and 8a of baffles 7 and 8, respectively. Therefore, even if the tubular separation membrane 3 vibrates or oscillates and the end tube 4 and the end plug 20 come into contact with the inner peripheral surfaces of the insertion holes 7a and 8a, the zeolite membrane is not damaged, and stable operation can be performed for a long period of time. It can be performed.

Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the present embodiment, the insertion through hole 51 provided in the support plate 50 is provided so as to penetrate the support plate 50, and the gasket installation recess 52 for installing the gasket 30 is provided on the tubular separation membrane side. formed by counterbore processing. The recess 52 has a larger diameter than the insertion through hole 51 .

The end pipe 40 has a flange portion 41 near its tip (lower end). Also, the end pipe 40 has an insertion portion 42 that protrudes downward from the flange portion 41 . The insertion portion 42 has a length that penetrates the through-hole 51 for insertion. A male thread 43 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 42 near the lower end thereof.

As shown in FIG. 8, after the gasket 30 is fitted into the gasket mounting recess 52 of the horizontally held support plate 50, the end pipe 40 having the separation membrane 3, the end plug 20, etc. assembled therethrough is passed through for insertion. The gasket 30 is inserted through the hole 51 and sandwiched between the bottom surface of the recess 52 and the flange portion 41 .

Next, a washer 61 and a spring washer 62 having rounded corners on the outer periphery and inner periphery of the washer and the outer periphery of the washer were fitted as a spring member to the insertion portion 42 projecting from the lower surface of the support plate 50 , and then the nut 63 was tightened. It is screwed onto the male screw 43 and tightened. Thereby, the end pipe 40 is fixed to the support plate 50 . Moreover, the gasket 30 seals between the bottom surface of the recess 52 and the flange portion 41 .

In this embodiment, when the operating temperature of the separation membrane module fluctuates by 100° C. or more, dimensional fluctuation due to thermal expansion can be absorbed by using the same material for the support plate 50 and the end tube 40 . Further, loosening is prevented by adopting a double nut structure in which two nuts 63 are tightened.

A spring washer normally has a function of preventing loosening by having burrs at the end bite into the base material. 62 is prevented from biting into the nut 63 or the washer 61 by removing burrs at the end and rounding the outer and inner circumferences. As a result, the spring washer 62 can slide on the surfaces of the washer 61 and the nut 63, and as a spring member, the insertion portion 42 effectively generates tension downward in the drawing. It is possible to absorb dimensional changes due to permanent deformation.

7 and 8 are more complicated in structure and assembly than the embodiment shown in FIGS. , is arranged in a space limited by the insertion portion 51, the pressure applied to the gasket 30 can be easily set. Moreover, the deformation of the gasket 30 is suppressed, and deformation is limited even with high-molecular-weight elastomers such as silicone rubber and fluororubber, and stable sealing performance can be maintained even at relatively high temperatures. In addition, since the end tube 40 is fixed to the support plate 50 by the flange portion 41, the washer 61, the spring washer 62 and the nut 63, the degree of freedom of installation is increased, such as by suspending the end tube 40. The pressure can be reversed, increasing the degree of freedom of operation. Furthermore, even if the gasket 30 is deformed, the spring washer 62 as a spring member continues to apply tension downward in the drawing to the insertion portion 42 as a spring, so an appropriate pressure continues to be applied to the gasket 30. Therefore, the seal is stable. The embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8 are carried out when there is a large space constraint due to modification of an existing separation membrane module. By extending it and inserting a compression coil spring instead of a spring washer, it is possible to design with a higher degree of freedom. In addition, in this aspect, since the insertion part is preliminarily closed by the compression coil spring, the insertion part serves as a guide, so the gap between the inner circumference of the coil and the outer circumference of the insertion part is set to 0.05 to 2 mm. By doing so, the compression coil spring is prevented from buckling, so that the tension applied to the insertion portion is more stable.

Preferred materials for the end tubes 4, 40, the end plug 20, and the tubular separation membrane 3 constituting the separation membrane module of the present invention are described below.

Examples of materials for the end tubes 4, 40 and the end plugs 20 include, but are not limited to, materials impermeable to fluid, such as metals and ceramics. The materials of the baffles 7 and 8 and the joint pipe 17 are usually metal materials such as stainless steel, but are not particularly limited as long as they have heat resistance under separation conditions and resistance to feed and permeating components. It can be changed to other materials.

The tubular separation membrane 3 preferably has a tubular porous support and a zeolite membrane as an inorganic separation membrane formed on the outer peripheral surface of the porous support. Materials for this tubular porous support include inorganic porous ceramic sintered bodies and metal sintered bodies containing silica, α-alumina, γ-alumina, mullite, zirconia, titania, yttria, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, and the like. and quality supports. Among them, an inorganic porous support containing at least one of alumina, silica and mullite is preferable. The average pore diameter of the surface of the porous support is not particularly limited, but the pore diameter is preferably controlled, usually 0.02 μm or more, preferably 0.05 μm or more, more preferably 0.1 μm. Thus, it is usually 20 μm or less, preferably 10 μm or less, more preferably 5 μm or less.

The zeolite is crystallized on the surface of the porous support to form a zeolite membrane.
The main zeolite that constitutes the zeolite membrane usually contains a zeolite having a 6-10 membered oxygen ring structure, preferably a zeolite having a 6-8 membered oxygen ring structure.

The value of n of the zeolite having an oxygen n-membered ring here indicates the one having the largest number of oxygen among the pores composed of oxygen and T element forming the zeolite skeleton. For example, when pores of 12-membered oxygen rings and 8-membered rings exist like MOR type zeolite, it is regarded as zeolite of 12-membered oxygen rings.

Examples of zeolites having an oxygen 6-10 membered ring structure include AEI, AEL, AFG, ANA, BRE, CAS, CDO, CHA, DAC, DDR, DOH, EAB, EPI, ESV, EUO, FAR, FRA, FER, GIS, GIU, GOO, HEU, IMF, ITE, ITH, KFI, LEV, LIO, LOS, LTN, MAR, MEP, MER, MEL, MFI, MFS, MON, MSO, MTF, MTN, MTT, MWW, NAT, NES, NON, PAU, PHI, RHO, RRO, RTE, RTH, RUT, SGT, SOD, STF, STI, STT, TER, TOL, TON, TSC, TUN, UFI, VNI, VSV, WEI, YUG, etc. There is

The zeolite membrane may be a membrane made of zeolite alone, or a membrane formed by dispersing the zeolite powder in a binder such as a polymer, or a membrane formed by fixing zeolite on various supports. A zeolite membrane composite may also be used. The zeolite membrane may partially contain an amorphous component or the like.

Although the thickness of the zeolite membrane is not particularly limited, it is usually 0.1 μm or more, preferably 0.6 μm or more, and more preferably 1.0 μm or more. Also, it is usually 100 μm or less, preferably 60 μm or less, more preferably 20 μm or less.

However, the present invention may use a tubular separation membrane having a separation membrane other than the zeolite membrane.

The outer diameter of the tubular separation membrane 3 is preferably 3 mm or more, more preferably 6 mm or more, still more preferably 10 mm or more, preferably 20 mm or less, more preferably 18 mm or less, still more preferably 16 mm or less. If the outer diameter is too small, the strength of the tubular separation membrane may be insufficient and it may become fragile, and if it is too large, the membrane area per module will decrease.

The length of the portion of the tubular separation membrane 3 covered with the zeolite membrane is preferably 20 cm or more and preferably 200 cm or less.

In the separation membrane module of the present invention, the tubular separation membranes may be of a single-tube type or a multi-tube type, and usually 1 to 3000, particularly 50 to 850, are arranged, and the shortest distance between the tubular separation membranes is 2 mm to 10 mm. It is preferably arranged so that The size of the housing and the number of tubular separation membranes are appropriately changed according to the amount of fluid to be treated. Note that the tubular separation membranes do not have to be connected by the joint pipe 17 . In addition, although the separation membrane module 1 is installed vertically in the description with reference to the drawings, it may be used horizontally or tilted.

In the separation membrane module of the present invention, the fluid to be treated to be separated or concentrated is not particularly limited as long as it is a gaseous or liquid mixture composed of a plurality of components that can be separated or concentrated by the separation membrane. may be used, but it is preferred to use mixtures of gases.

A separation or concentration method called a pervaporation method (pervaporation method) or a vapor permeation method (vapor permeation method) can be used for the separation or concentration. Since the pervaporation method is a separation or concentration method in which a liquid mixture is directly introduced into a separation membrane, the process including separation or concentration can be simplified.

In the present invention, when the mixture to be separated or concentrated is a mixture of gases consisting of a plurality of components, the mixture of gases includes, for example, carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, methane, ethane, ethylene, propane , propylene, normal butane, isobutane, 1-butene, 2-butene, isobutene, aromatic compounds such as toluene, sulfur hexafluoride, helium, carbon monoxide, nitrogen monoxide, water, etc. The one containing a component is mentioned. Among the mixture of these gas components, gas components with high permeance permeate the separation membrane and are separated, and gas components with low permeance are concentrated on the feed gas side.

The separation membrane modules of the present invention can be used in conjunction with each other depending on the amount of fluid or the desired degree of separation or concentration. When the amount of fluid is large, or when the desired degree of separation/concentration is high and processing cannot be performed sufficiently in one module, the fluid from the outlet can be connected to the inlet of another module by connecting a pipe. is preferred. Moreover, according to the degree of separation and the degree of concentration, further connection can be made to achieve the desired degree of separation and concentration.

The separation membrane modules of the present invention may be installed in parallel to branch the fluid and supply the gas. At this time, it is also possible to install a module in series with each parallel module. When parallel modules are connected in series, the amount of supplied gas decreases in the serial direction and the linear velocity decreases.

When the modules are arranged in series, the permeated component may be discharged for each module, or may be collected by connecting the modules and discharged.

1 Separation Membrane Module 2 Housing 3 Tubular Separation Membrane 4, 40 End Tube 5, 50 Support Plate 5a Insertion Hole 5t Bottom of Insertion Hole 6A Bottom Cover 6B Top Cover 6a Outlet 7, 8 Baffles 7a, 8a Insertion Hole 9 Stream Inlet 10 Outlet 11, 12 Chamber 13 Main Chamber 14 Rod 16 Outlet Chamber 17 Joint Pipe 20 End Plug 30 Gasket 41 Flange 42 Insertion Portion 51 Insertion Through Hole 52 Gasket Installation Recess 61 Washer 62 Spring Washer 63 Nut

Claims (5)

a cylindrical housing;
a plurality of tubular separation membranes disposed in the housing longitudinally of the housing;
A separation membrane module in which a fluid to be treated flows in the housing from one end side to the other end side, and the fluid that has permeated the tubular separation membrane is taken out through the tubular separation membrane,
An end tube is connected to one end of the tubular separation membrane,
In a separation membrane module in which the end tube protrudes from one plate surface of a support plate installed to traverse the housing,
An insertion hole is provided in one plate surface of the support plate, and the end pipe is inserted into the insertion hole,
A gasket seals between the end surface of the end pipe and the bottom surface of the insertion hole ,
A separation membrane module , wherein the tubular separation membranes are installed vertically, and the end tubes are connected to lower ends of the tubular separation membranes . a cylindrical housing;
a plurality of tubular separation membranes disposed in the housing longitudinally of the housing;
A separation membrane module in which a fluid to be treated flows in the housing from one end side to the other end side, and the fluid that has permeated the tubular separation membrane is taken out through the tubular separation membrane,
An end tube is connected to one end of the tubular separation membrane,
In a separation membrane module in which the distal end side of the end tube is connected to a support plate installed across the housing,
The end pipe is provided with a flange portion near the tip end, and has an insertion portion projecting further to the tip side than the flange portion,
The insertion portion is inserted through an insertion through hole provided in the support plate,
A gasket installation recess is provided on the tubular separation membrane side of the insertion through-hole,
A separation membrane module, wherein a gasket is sandwiched between the bottom surface of the gasket installation recess and the flange portion. A male screw is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tip end of the insertion portion, and the end pipe and the support plate are fixed by tightening a nut on the male screw. Item 3. The separation membrane module according to item 2. 4. The separation membrane module according to claim 3, wherein a spring member is interposed between said nut and said support plate. 5. The separation membrane module according to claim 4, wherein said spring member is a spring washer, and said washer is interposed between said spring washer and said support plate.

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