JPH05123538A - Pervaporation module - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To ensure high-level separation capacity over a long period of time by preventing the mutual fusion of separation membranes holding a liquid chamber therebetween in opposed relationship. CONSTITUTION:Framelike vaporized gas chamber members 2, 2 having vaporized gas chambers 12 are fixed to both sides of a framelike liquid chamber member 1 having a liquid chamber 11 in a mutually abutted state so as to interpose sheet like separation membranes 3, 3 between the liquid chamber member 1 and the chamber members 2, 2 and the separated liquid in the liquid mixture W introduced into the liquid chamber 11 is subjected to pervaporation in the respective separation membranes 3, 3 to take out vaporized gas G on the vaporized gas chambers 12, 12. In this pervaporation module, contact preventing means X preventing the mutual contact of the separation membranes 3, 3 are interposed between the separation membranes 3, 3 mutually opposed so as to hold the liquid chamber 11 therebetween. Even when operation is stopped and the vaporized gas chambers 12 are opened to the atmosphere, the fusion of the separation membranes 3, 3 due to the mutual contact thereof can be prevented.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pervaporation module for separating a liquid by using a pervaporation method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The pervaporation method is one of the methods for separating and removing a specific liquid component from a mixed liquid of two or more kinds of liquids to increase the purity of the other liquid, and the inside thereof is called a liquid chamber. The liquid chamber member and the vaporized gas chamber member having the inside thereof as a vaporized gas chamber are fastened and fixed to each other with a separation membrane made of, for example, a moisture-selective permeable membrane interposed therebetween to form the separation membrane. The liquid chamber and the vaporized gas chamber are brought into contact with each other via the above, and while the mixed liquid is supplied to the liquid chamber side in this state, the pressure in the vaporized gas chamber is reduced to direct the separation membrane toward the vaporized gas chamber side. The water component that is permeated by the vaporization is vaporized on the membrane surface of the separation membrane to separate it.

Generally, in a pervaporation module, one unit composed of such a liquid chamber member, a vaporized gas chamber member and a separation membrane is not used as a single unit, but such a unit is used. It is customary to sequentially assemble a plurality of sets in a stacked state in the axial direction to use as a pervaporation module having a larger separation ability (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-11104).

[0004]

By the way, when the pervaporation module is composed of a plurality of units as described above,
The separation membrane of one unit and the separation membrane of the other unit adjacent to this will face each other via the liquid chamber.

In this case, since the vaporized gas chamber of each unit is vacuum-evacuated during the operation of the apparatus, each separation membrane bends toward the vaporized gas chamber due to the pressure difference between the liquid chamber and the vaporized gas chamber. This means that these separation membranes do not come into contact with each other, but when the operation of the device is stopped, the vaporized gas chamber is opened to the atmosphere, and there is no pressure difference between the liquid chamber and the vaporized gas chamber. Therefore, in some cases, each separation membrane may bend toward the liquid chamber side and come into contact with each other.

However, since the separation membrane is usually composed of a semi-gel type polymer membrane, when such two separation membranes come into contact with each other, they are easily fused. As a result, when the separation membranes are sucked toward the vaporized gas chamber side at the next restart of the operation, the active layers of the separation membranes 3 and 3 are separated at the fusion-bonded portions, and the separation membranes are separated by that amount. Separation capacity (separation coefficient) of 3 and 3 is reduced, which leads to deterioration of separation ability of the entire apparatus, which is not preferable.

Therefore, according to the present invention, in a pervaporation module having a structure in which two separation membranes face each other across a liquid chamber, fusion between the separation membranes is prevented when the operation is stopped, and the separation membranes are separated from each other. The separation coefficient was kept good and the high separation capacity was ensured for a long period of time.

[0008]

As a concrete means for solving such a problem in the present invention, in the invention described in claim 1, as shown in FIGS.
On both sides of the frame-shaped liquid chamber member 1 having the above, the frame-shaped vaporized gas chamber members 2 and 2 having the vaporized gas chambers 12 are provided.
And sheet-like separation membranes 3, 3 having a property of allowing the liquid to be separated to pass therethrough. In the pervaporation module, the liquid chambers 11 are separated from each other in the permeation vaporization module. Between the separation membranes 3, 3 facing each other,
Contact blocking means X for blocking mutual contact between the respective separation membranes 3, 3.
It is characterized by interposing.

According to a second aspect of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the pervaporation module according to the first aspect, the contact blocking means X is replaced by the liquid chamber member 1
Between the liquid chamber 11 and the separation membrane 3 and
The portion corresponding to (1) is provided with a membrane restricting portion 7 that allows movement of the mixed liquid W from the liquid chamber 11 to the separation membrane 3 side and prevents movement of the separation membrane 3 to the liquid chamber 11 side. It is characterized in that it is composed of a frame-shaped fusion preventing plate 6.

In the invention according to claim 3, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the pervaporation module according to claim 1, the liquid chamber member 1 is divided into two parts in the thickness direction thereof. The first liquid chamber member 1A and the second liquid chamber member 1B are provided, while the contact blocking means X is interposed between the first liquid chamber member 1A and the second liquid chamber member 1B. The liquid chambers 11 and 11 of the liquid chamber members 1A and 1B are separated from each other, and the liquid chambers 11 and 11 are provided via liquid inlets 15 and liquid outlets 16 formed to face the liquid chambers 11 and 11, respectively. It is characterized in that it is constituted by a fusion preventing plate 6 which is designed to make the two communicate with each other.

[0011]

In each invention of the present application, the following actions are obtained. That is, in the invention according to claim 1, the two separation membranes 3 provided on both sides of the liquid chamber 11 in a state of being sandwiched between the liquid gas chamber 12 and the vaporized gas chamber 12 are the liquids during the operation of the apparatus. Since the pressure difference between the chamber 11 and the vaporized gas chamber 12 pulls the vaporized gas chamber 12 toward the vaporized gas chamber 12 side, they are not separated from each other and do not contact each other, but when the operation of the device is stopped, Liquid chamber 11 and vaporized gas chamber 12
Since the pressure difference between the two separation membranes disappears,
It is also possible that each of the three bends toward the liquid chamber 11 side. In this case, each of the separation membranes 3, 3 has a liquid chamber 11
When it is bent to the side, the contact blocking means X provided between these abuts against the separation membranes 3, 3 to prevent them from further bending to the liquid chamber 11 side, and the mutual contact is caused. The fusion phenomenon is prevented in advance. Therefore, when the separation membranes 3 and 3 are sucked toward the corresponding vaporization gas chamber 12 side with the pressure drop in the vaporization gas chamber 12 when the operation of the apparatus is restarted, the separation membranes 3 and 3 are separated from their active layers. The separation operation is restarted smoothly without causing the occurrence of the operation and while maintaining the separation ability before the operation stop.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the contact prevention means X
Is constituted by the frame-shaped fusion preventing plate 6 having the membrane regulating portion 7, and therefore, in the same manner as in the above case, the fusion preventing plate 6 prevents the separation membranes 3 and 3 from being separated. In addition to the fact that fusion is prevented in advance and the separation coefficient of each separation membrane 3, 3 is maintained, in addition to this, the fusion prevention plate 6
Also functions as a holding member having a sealing property between the liquid chamber 11, the vaporized gas chamber 12 and the separation membrane 3, and by maintaining a high decompression degree in the vaporized gas chamber 12, the liquid separation action by the separation membrane 3 is further enhanced. It is something that can be promoted. Further, in this case, since the fusion preventing plate 6 is configured to allow the movement of the mixed liquid from the liquid chamber 11 to the separation membrane 3 side,
The installation of the fusion preventing plate 6 does not reduce the separation ability of the entire apparatus.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the separation membranes at the time of stopping the operation are separated by the fusion preventing plate 6 arranged between the first liquid chamber member 1A and the second liquid chamber member 1B having a two-part structure. Since fusion of 3,3 is prevented, claims 1 and 2
As in the invention described above, it goes without saying that a high-efficiency separation action can be realized by maintaining the separation coefficient of each of the separation membranes 3, 3, and in addition to this, the liquid chamber member 1 is replaced by the first liquid chamber member. 1A and the second liquid chamber member 1B have a two-divided structure, and the fusion preventing plate 6 is disposed between them to form the liquid inlet 15 of the fusion preventing plate 6.
The mixed liquid supplied to the first liquid chamber member 1A and the second liquid chamber member 1B are distributed and introduced, and the liquid chambers 11 and 11 are configured to perform the separating action, respectively, For example, even when there is a difference in the degree of pressure reduction of the vaporized gas chambers 12 and 12 corresponding to the liquid chambers 11 or the capacity of the active layers of the separation membranes 3 and 3, the separation capacity of the entire apparatus is reduced. Liquid separation can be performed without any increase, and reliability in terms of separation ability is enhanced.

[0014]

Therefore, according to the pervaporation module of each invention of the present application, the following effects can be obtained. That is, according to the pervaporation module of claim 1, the contact prevention means X prevents fusion of the two separation membranes 3 and 3 during the operation stop of the apparatus, so that each separation membrane at the time of restarting the operation of the apparatus. Since the peeling of the active layers 3 and 3 is surely prevented, there is an effect that the separation performance can be favorably maintained for a long period of time even when the device starts and stops frequently. Is what you get.

According to the pervaporation module of the second aspect, in addition to the above effects, the fusion preventing plate 6 constituting the contact blocking means X enhances the sealing performance of the liquid chamber 11 and the vaporized gas chamber 12. Therefore, it is possible to provide a pervaporation module having a higher separation capacity than the pervaporation module according to claim 1.

According to the pervaporation module of the third aspect, the same effects as those of the pervaporation module of the first aspect can be obtained. In addition to this, the liquid chamber 11 is divided into two parts. By improving the reliability of the separation capacity, the product value of the pervaporation module can be further improved.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The pervaporation module of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment FIGS. 1 and 2 show a pervaporation module Z _{1 according} to an embodiment of the invention described in claims 1 and 2 of the present application. This permeation vaporization module Z ₁ has a property that allows the fusion preventing plate 6 to be described later and moisture to permeate on both side surfaces of the rectangular frame-shaped liquid chamber member 1 whose inner space is a liquid chamber 11 having a predetermined capacity. A sheet-shaped separation membrane 3 composed of a polymer membrane having a partition wall, a partition plate 4 formed in the shape of a thin plate frame and having a mesh member 10 stretched in its inner space, and its inner space being vaporized with a predetermined capacity. A rectangular frame-shaped vaporized gas chamber member 2 used as the gas chamber 12 and a flat plate-shaped end face plate 5 are sequentially stacked and arranged,
In addition, these are integrally fastened and fixed in the axial direction.

The pervaporation module Z ₁ is
As shown by the solid arrows in FIGS. 1 and 2, while introducing a mixed liquid W including a separated liquid (for example, water) and a liquid to be separated (for example, an organic solvent) into the liquid chamber member 1 from the liquid inlet 15. The vaporized gas chambers 12, 12 of the vaporized gas chamber members 2, 2
By depressurizing, the water component in the mixed solution W is permeated into the separation membrane 3 and vaporized on the membrane surface of the separation membrane 3 on the vaporized gas chamber 12 side, and taken out as vaporized gas (water vapor). At the same time, the high-purity solvent from which the water component has been removed acts so as to send it to the next step for reuse.

By the way, when the pervaporation module Z ₁ is operated in this manner, the vaporized gas chamber 12 is decompressed, so that the liquid chamber 11 and the vaporized gas chambers 12, 12 on both sides thereof are separated from each other. Since the separation membranes 3, 3 arranged between them are sucked toward the vaporized gas chamber 12 side due to the pressure difference between the liquid chamber 11 and the vaporized gas chamber 12, the separation membranes 3 and 3 are bent in a direction in which they are separated from each other. The situation of mutual contact does not occur.

However, when the operation of the pervaporation module Z ₁ is stopped, the vaporized gas chamber 12 is opened to the atmosphere, so that the pressure difference between the vaporized gas chamber 12 and the liquid chamber 11 disappears. In some cases, the separation membranes 3 in the free state may be bent and come into contact with each other in a direction in which they approach each other. Then, when the contact state is relatively long (that is, when the operation stop time is long), the separation membranes 3 and 3 formed of the semi-gelled polymer membrane are fused to each other. As a result, when the operation of the pervaporation module Z ₁ is restarted, the active layers thereof are separated when the separation membranes 3, 3 sucked into the vaporized gas chambers 12, 12 are separated. As described above, there is a possibility that the separation coefficient of the permeation vaporization module Z ₁ may be lowered, and the liquid separation ability of the pervaporation module Z ₁ may be lowered.

However, in this embodiment, the inventions described in claims 1 and 2 of the present application are applied, and a description will be given below between the liquid chamber member 1 and the separation membranes 3, 3 located on both sides thereof. Since the fusion preventing plates 6 and 6 (corresponding to the contact prevention means X in claim 1) are arranged, the contact between the separation membranes 3 and 3 when the pervaporation module Z ₁ is stopped.
(That is, the fusion) is prevented in advance. That is, the fusion preventing plate 6 is configured by integrally forming a cross-shaped film regulating portion 7 having a predetermined width inside a frame body having substantially the same shape as the liquid chamber member 1. The shape and size of the membrane regulating portion 7 suppress the deflection of the separation membrane 3 toward the liquid chamber 11 side to a predetermined level or less, and the mixed liquid W introduced into the liquid chamber 11 has almost no resistance and the separation membrane 7 has almost no resistance. It is set appropriately so that it can move to the 3 side.

Therefore, while the pervaporation module Z ₁ is in operation, the mixed liquid W smoothly moves from the liquid chamber 11 to the separation membrane 3 side for good liquid separation, while the operation of the separation membrane 3 is stopped when the operation is stopped. The flexure toward the liquid chamber 11 side is appropriately controlled, and the contact between the separation membranes 3, 3 and the fusion thereof are reliably prevented. Therefore, at the time of re-operation after the operation is stopped, the separation membranes 3 and 3 are returned to the operating state smoothly and without separation of the active layer, and the efficient liquid separation action is restarted again. In particular, even when the start / stop operation of the device is frequently performed, a high level of separation ability can be maintained for a long period of time.

During operation, the mesh member 10 of the partition plate 4 functions to prevent the separation membrane 3 from excessively bending toward the vaporized gas chamber 12 side.

Second Embodiment FIGS. 3 and 4 show a pervaporation module Z _{2 according} to an embodiment of the invention described in claims 1 and 3 of the present application.
The pervaporation module Z ₂ of this embodiment has substantially the same basic structure and operation as those of the first embodiment,
The specific structure of the liquid chamber member 1 and the specific structure of the fusion preventing plate 6 for preventing fusion of the separation membranes 3, 3 are significantly different from those of the first embodiment.

In other words, in this embodiment, the liquid chamber member 1 which has been constructed as a single body in the first embodiment is divided into two parts in the thickness direction thereof, and the first liquid chamber member 1A and the second liquid chamber member. It is composed of two members 1B. Further, the liquid inlet 15 and the liquid outlet 16 are not directly formed in the liquid chamber members 1A and 1B, but they are formed on the fusion preventing plate 6 side described later.

Further, the fusion preventing plate 6 is a plate body having a liquid inlet 15 and a liquid outlet 16 respectively formed at positions corresponding to the ends of the liquid chambers 11 of the liquid chamber members 1A and 1B. The first liquid chamber member 1A and the second liquid chamber member 1B are sandwiched between the first liquid chamber member 1A and the second liquid chamber member 1B.

As described above, the fusion preventing plate 6 is arranged between the first liquid chamber member 1A and the second liquid chamber member 1B of the two-divided type, and the liquid chambers 11 and 11 of the liquid chamber members 1A and 1B are arranged. Mutual fusion prevention plate 6
When the permeation vaporizing module Z ₂ is operated, the mixed liquid W supplied to the liquid inlet 15 side of the fusion preventing plate 6 as shown by solid arrows in FIGS. 3 and 4 is separated.
Is divided into the first liquid chamber member 1A side and the second liquid chamber member 1B side at the liquid inlet 15 portion, and the liquid chambers 11 and 1 are respectively separated.
The water components are introduced into the separator 1, and the water components are separated by the pervaporation action of the separation membranes 3, 3. Then, the separated vaporized gas (water vapor) is supplied to each vaporized gas chamber 1 as indicated by a dashed arrow.
It is discharged to the outside through 2,12 vaporized gas outlets 17.

On the other hand, when the pervaporation module Z ₂ is stopped, the separation membranes 3, 3 which have been bent toward the vaporized gas chambers 12, 12 return to the liquid chambers 11, 11 respectively. However, in this case, the fusion preventing plates 6 for partitioning the liquid chambers 11, 11 reliably prevent mutual contact between the separation membranes 3, 3 and fusion caused thereby.
Therefore, when the operation of the pervaporation module Z ₂ is restarted, the liquid separation is restarted under the same separation capacity as before the operation was stopped, and the high level separation capacity is maintained for a long time. Become.

Further, particularly as in this embodiment, the liquid chamber 11
When the mixed liquid W is supplied to each of the liquid chambers 11 and 11 by dividing into two,
Even if there is a difference in the sealability of the gas chambers 1 and 11 and the vaporized gas chambers 12 and 12 or the separation coefficient of the separation membranes 3 and 3, the separation capacity does not drop extremely, The reliability in terms of separation ability is enhanced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pervaporation module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the pervaporation module shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a pervaporation module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the pervaporation module shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1A and 1B are liquid chamber members, 2 are vaporized gas chamber members, 3
Is a separation membrane, 4 is a partition plate, 5 is an end face plate, 6 is a fusion preventing plate,
7 is a membrane regulation part, 11 is a liquid chamber, 12 is a vaporized gas chamber, 15 is a liquid inlet, 16 is a liquid outlet, 17 is a vaporized gas outlet, X is a contact blocking means, Z ₁ and Z ₂ are permeation vaporization modules. .. Is.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A frame-shaped liquid chamber member (1) having a liquid chamber (11)
A sheet having a property of allowing the liquid to be separated to pass between the frame-shaped vaporized gas chamber members (2) and (2) having the vaporized gas chambers (12) on both sides of the liquid chamber member (1). Separation membrane (3),
A pervaporation module, which is abutted and fixed to each other with (3) interposed, between the separation membranes (3), (3) facing each other across the liquid chamber (11). And a contact blocking means (X) for blocking mutual contact between the separation membranes (3) and (3).
A pervaporation module, characterized in that 2. The contact prevention means according to claim 1.
(X) is interposed between the liquid chamber member (1) and the separation membrane (3), and the portion corresponding to the liquid chamber (11) is separated from the liquid chamber (11) by the separation membrane (11). Frame-shaped fusion-bonding provided with a membrane regulating part (7) which allows the movement of the mixed liquid (W) to the 3) side and prevents the movement of the separation membrane (3) to the liquid chamber (11) side. Prevention plate
A pervaporation module comprising (6). 3. The liquid chamber member (1) according to claim 1,
Is divided into two parts in the thickness direction to form a first liquid chamber member (1A) and a second liquid chamber member (1B), while the contact blocking means (X) is used.
Is interposed between the first liquid chamber member (1A) and the second liquid chamber member (1B), and each liquid chamber (11) of the first and second liquid chamber members (1A), (1B) , (11) are separated from each other and liquid inlets (1) formed to face the liquid chambers (11), (11) respectively.
5) A permeation vaporization module comprising a fusion preventing plate (6) which allows the liquid chambers (11), (11) to communicate with each other via a liquid outlet (16).