JPH0747243A - Separation membrane module and separation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a novel separation membrane module preventing the loosening of separation membranes due to the swelling thereof without damaging separation capacity. CONSTITUTION:This separation membrane module used in a plate/frame type separation apparatus consists of a stacked member 2 of membrane support plates each supporting at least one separation membrane so as to form passages 9 parallel to the surfaces of the membrane, the fluid supply and discharge pipes 7, 8 connected to the respective passages and the pressure contact means bolts 5 and nuts 6 of the stacked member 2. In this module, each of the membrane support plates is constituted so as to have a perforated structure. Further, a plurality of protruding ribs 212 are provided to the membrane support surface of each of the membrane support plates and the separation membranes of the stacked member are brought to a pressure contact state by the top parts of the protruding ribs.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a separation membrane module and a separation device, and more particularly to a plate / frame type separation device and a separation membrane module used therein. The separation membrane module and the liquid separation device of the present invention can perform various separations such as pervaporation, vapor permeation, reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration and microfiltration by appropriately selecting the type of separation membrane. In particular,
It is suitable as a separation membrane module and a separation device in a pervaporation method or a vapor permeation method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The plate frame method is well known in the fields of reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration and microfiltration, and a thin laminar flow channel is formed on the surface of a separation membrane (flat plate membrane) set on a membrane support plate. It is a system in which a permeated liquid is formed and a concentrated liquid is separated by flowing a pressurized liquid, and the device structure is similar to a filter press in terms of a filter.

JP-B-53-35553 discloses a liquid separation device for separating a liquid into two fractions by a plate frame method, each of which has at least one so as to form a flow path parallel to the membrane surface. A stack of membrane support plates supporting a semipermeable membrane, a liquid supply means and a liquid discharge means connected to the flow path, a means for collecting and discharging the liquid passing through the separation membrane, and the stack In the liquid separating device comprising the pressure contacting means, the two separating channels extending in the longitudinal direction (stacking direction) through the stack are provided with closing means separated in the channel,
The closure means arranged in one flow path is positioned so as to form a step in the longitudinal direction with respect to the closure means in the other flow path, whereby the flow of liquid coming through the longitudinal flow path. A liquid separation device has been proposed in which is deflected toward a channel extending parallel to the membrane surface.

[0004]

However, in the separation membrane module of the above liquid separating apparatus, the semipermeable membrane supported on the membrane supporting plate swells and becomes loose especially when the organic liquid is treated. Therefore, there is a drawback that the flow of the liquid flowing through the flow path parallel to the film surface becomes unstable. In particular, when applied to a pervaporation method or a vapor permeation method using a separation membrane having an appropriate selectivity, the swollen separation membrane is likely to be wrinkled due to repeated depressurization or sweep operation on the secondary side, and The drawbacks are even more pronounced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to improve the fixing structure of a separation membrane supported on a membrane supporting plate without impairing the separation performance and to swell the separation membrane. It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel separation membrane module and separation device that prevent loosening.

[0006]

That is, the first aspect of the present invention
The main point of this is a separation membrane module used in a plate-frame type separation device, in which a stack of membrane support plates each supporting at least one separation membrane so as to form parallel flow channels on the membrane surface. A body, two separate flow paths connected to each of the flow paths and extending in the longitudinal direction through the stack, and connected to one end of one of these two separate flow paths. In a separation membrane module comprising a fluid supply means and a fluid discharge means connected to one of the other ends, and a pressure contact means for the stack,
The membrane supporting plate is configured to have a porous structure, and a plurality of convex ribs are provided on the membrane supporting surface of the membrane supporting plate, and the separation membrane of the stack is pressed against the top of the convex ribs. It exists in the characteristic separation membrane module.

A second aspect of the present invention is a plate-frame type separation device using the above-mentioned separation membrane module, which comprises the separation membrane module, a container accommodating the separation membrane module, and a separation membrane. And a means for collecting and discharging the fluid that has passed and flown out from the outer peripheral wall surface of the stack.

[0008]

[Function] Each apex of the plurality of convex ribs presses the separation membrane of the stack to suppress loosening due to swelling of the separation membrane, and the membrane support plate having a porous structure passes through the separation membrane. The fluid that has entered the inside of the membrane support plate is smoothly discharged from the outer peripheral wall surface of the stack, and the separation performance is reduced due to the separation membrane of the stack being pressed by the tops of the plurality of convex ribs. To avoid.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of an example of a separation device of the present invention,
2 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of a section taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a main part of a section taken along the line III-III of FIG.

First, the separation membrane module of the present invention will be described. The separation membrane module (1) of the present invention is housed in a container (10) as shown in FIG. 1 and used in a plate-frame type separation device.

The basic structure of the separation membrane module (1) of the present invention is the same as that of the separation membrane module described in JP-B-53-35553, and as shown in FIG. Membrane support plates (2) each supporting at least one separation membrane (25) to form channels (9).
1) the stack, two separate channels connected to each of the above channels and extending in the longitudinal direction through the stack, and one end of one of these two discrete channels And fluid discharge means connected to any other end, and pressure contact means for the stack. The above-mentioned two separated flow paths and pressure contact means which are not shown in FIG. 2 will be described later.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the main body of the separation membrane module (1) is composed of a stack of units (2) consisting of one membrane support plate (21) and a separation membrane (25). To be done. Membrane support plate (21) and separation membrane (2
5) is usually a circle or an ellipse of approximately the same size as shown in FIG. 1, and as shown in FIG. 3, openings (28), (28) are formed at both ends at the same position. Is equipped with.

As will be described later, the openings (28) and (28) function as insertion holes for bolts (5) and (5) used as a pressure contact means for the stack, and the openings (28) and (28). The inner diameter of the bolt (5) is made larger than the outer diameter of the bolt (5), and the inserted bolt (5),
A fluid flow path is formed in the space around (5). When the unit (2) is formed into a stack, these two flow paths form two separate flow paths extending in the longitudinal direction through the stack.

Sealing means (not shown) is provided on the inner peripheral wall surface side of the openings (28), (28). Although the specific configuration of the sealing means will be described later, the sealing means includes an opening (2
8) and (28) have a function of preventing fluid from entering from the inner peripheral wall surface side. As a result, the fluid supplied from the fluid supply means described later is introduced only into the flow path (9) parallel to the membrane surface.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the membrane supporting plate (21) is provided with an outer peripheral protrusion (211) at the peripheral portion thereof, and the separation membrane (25) is used in the state of use of the membrane supporting plate (21). Fully supported. Perimeter protrusion (211)
Has the same protrusion height as a convex rib (212) described later provided on the membrane supporting surface of the membrane supporting plate (21), and each unit (2) in the pressure contact state of the stack.
It has a function of preventing the fluid that does not pass through the separation membrane (25) from flowing out from the peripheral wall surface between them.

The separation membrane module of the present invention is characterized in that the membrane supporting plate (21) has a porous structure, and the membrane supporting surface of the membrane supporting plate is provided with a plurality of convex ribs (212). As shown in FIG. 2, it is at the point where the separation membrane (25) of the stack is pressed by the top of the convex rib (212).

The porous structure of the membrane support plate (21) is usually achieved by constructing the membrane support plate (21) with a porous material. Porous membrane support plate (2
As described later, 1) has a function of guiding a fluid that has passed through the separation membrane (25) and has entered the inside of the membrane support plate (21) to the outer peripheral wall surface of the membrane support plate (21) to flow out. . Therefore, the porous material forming the membrane support plate (21) must have a porous structure capable of performing the above-mentioned functions.

Typical examples of the porous material as described above include foamed resin such as hard foamed urethane and porous ceramics. In these materials, a random communicating porous structure is formed inside, and therefore, flow paths in random directions are formed. Membrane support plate (2
When (1) is made of a porous material, the openings (28), (2
The inner peripheral wall surface of 8) is sealed. Such sealing is performed by coating the inner peripheral wall surface with a suitable resin, and by using a seal ring as a sealing means described later, the opening (28),
(28) It can be sealed together with the surrounding membrane support (24) and the separation membrane (25).

As described above, the membrane support plate (21) having a porous structure may be constituted by a porous material itself, or may be constituted by a structure using a porous plate having a large number of through holes, for example. I can.

As the above structure, specifically,
It is possible to exemplify a laminated structure in which a spacer or the like is interposed between two porous plates. In addition, the outer peripheral wall surface of the membrane support plate (21) formed by the narrow pieces of the perforated plate between the two perforated plates and the opening (28) formed by the narrow piece of the non-perforated plate,
An example is a flat box-shaped structure in which the inner peripheral wall surface of (28) is arranged. In the case of the above laminated structure, as in the case of the membrane supporting plate (21) made of a porous material,
It is preferable to seal the inner wall surfaces of the openings (28) and (28).

From the viewpoint of solvent resistance and heat resistance, plastics such as polypropylene, polyurethane, polysulfone, and Teflon, metals such as stainless steel, and ceramics are preferably used as the material of the porous plate. Further, the above-mentioned coating agent can be appropriately selected from the above-mentioned plastics, and further, an adhesive agent having good solvent resistance and heat resistance can be used.

The plurality of convex ribs (212) provided on the membrane supporting surface of the membrane supporting plate (21) have a plurality of flow paths (parallel to the membrane surface due to the recesses formed between the convex ribs). 9). The fluid supplied from the fluid supply means described later has two openings (2) provided at both ends of the membrane supporting plate (21) along the flow path (9).
It flows between 8) and (28).

A plurality of convex ribs (212) are provided for opening (28), as shown in FIG. 1, to facilitate the above flow.
It is preferable to have a curved shape between (28). Further, the plurality of convex ribs (212) may be provided on only one side of the membrane supporting plate (21), but in order to increase the separation area, both sides of the membrane supporting plate (21) may be provided as shown in FIG. It is preferable to provide it.

The plurality of convex ribs (212) may be formed separately from the membrane supporting plate (21), but by means such as injection molding, as shown in FIG. It can also be integrally molded. That is, a membrane supporting plate (21) having openings (28), (28) at both ends and having a plurality of convex ribs (212) on the membrane supporting surface.
Can be easily manufactured by injection molding using a foam resin such as hard urethane foam. And, according to such an integral molding means, there is an advantage that the assembling process is simplified and the manufacturing cost is low.

Also, in the case of a membrane supporting plate (21) having a porous structure by a structure using a perforated plate, openings (28) and (28) are provided at both ends, and a plurality of convex ribs ( 212) and a perforated plate having a large number of through holes can be easily manufactured by injection molding. in this case,
It is preferable to provide a through hole also in the portion where the convex rib (212) is formed, but it is not always necessary to do so. When the convex rib (212) is formed separately from the membrane supporting plate (21), the same material as that of the porous plate is preferably used as the material of the convex rib (212).

The height of the convex rib (212) is not particularly limited, but is usually 0.2 to 10 mm, preferably 0.4.
The range is up to 7 mm. The number of the convex ribs (212) cannot be unconditionally determined because it depends on the area of the membrane support plate (21), but the distance between the adjacent convex ribs is usually 10 to 80 mm, preferably. Is 20-50m
m is determined.

The tops of the plurality of convex ribs (212) are usually formed to be flat, but the side surfaces on both sides of the convex portions are not vertical wall surfaces but are sloping wall surfaces that diverge toward the end, and the convex portions have a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. If so, the separation membrane (25) can be supported along the shape of the convex portion, and as a result,
Separation membrane (2) which is a concern in the case of high convex ribs (212)
It is possible to avoid the damage of 5).

The unit (2) comprises a membrane support plate (2
It is formed by supporting the separation membrane (25) on the membrane supporting surface (the convex rib (212) surface side) of 1), but between the membrane supporting surface of the membrane supporting plate (21) and the separation membrane (25). In Figure 2
It is preferable to interpose a membrane support (24) such as a non-woven fabric or filter paper, as shown in FIG. The membrane support (24) allows the fluid having passed through the separation membrane (25) to smoothly enter the inside of the membrane support plate (21) having a porous structure.
The thickness of the membrane support (24) is usually 0.1 to 2 mm.
The range is.

The main body of the separation membrane module (1) is composed of a stack of units (2). Unit (2)
When constructing the stack of (2), the openings (28), the membrane support (24) and the separation membrane (25) around the openings (28) are provided with sealing means (not shown). The sealing means has a function of preventing the fluid from entering from the inner peripheral wall surface of the opening (28) of the unit (2) without hindering the introduction of the fluid into the channel (9) parallel to the membrane surface. As long as it is Japanese Patent Publication Sho 53-355
The seal ring is not limited to the one described in Japanese Patent No. 53, and any other means may be used.

The seal ring described in JP-B-53-35553 has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the bolt (5) so that an annular flow path is formed between the inner side of the seal ring and the bolt (5). It is a seal ring having. Examples of other sealing means include a method of coating an appropriate resin and sealing.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, Japanese Patent Publication No. 53-35.
As in the case of the separation membrane module described in Japanese Patent No. 553, when the unit (2) is a stack, it is formed in the space around the bolts (5) and (5) and passes through the stack. The two separate flow paths extending in the longitudinal direction are provided with a closing ring (2
9) can also be provided.

The closing ring (29) is a ring sized to fit in the opening (28) and contact the surface of the bolt (5). The closing means arranged in one flow path is positioned so as to form a step in the longitudinal direction with respect to the closing means in the other flow path, whereby the fluid flowing through the longitudinal flow path is formed. Flow is deflected towards a flow path extending parallel to the membrane surface.

The unit (2) has an end plate (3) having openings (28), (28) at both ends at the same position as the unit (2),
The bolts (5), (5) inserted between the openings (28), (28) and the nuts (6), (6) screwed to these are pressed against each other. . Then, by such pressure contact, each of the plurality of convex ribs (212) provided on the membrane supporting surface of each membrane supporting plate (21) is
As shown in FIG. 2, the separation membrane (25) of the stack is pressed by each top. In addition, as the press-contacting means, other than bolt nuts, the end plate (3) may be a means such as hydraulic pressure.
Means for tightening (4) from the outside can also be adopted.

In one opening (28) of the end plate (3), a fluid supply pipe (7) as a fluid supply means for conducting to a flow path (31) formed in a space around the bolt (5). And a fluid discharge pipe as a fluid discharge means that is connected to one opening (28) of the end plate (4) and is connected to a flow path (41) formed in a space around the bolt (5). (8) is connected. Then, the fluid supplied from the fluid supply pipe (7) is introduced into the flow channel (9) parallel to the membrane surface, subjected to predetermined separation according to the function of the separation membrane (25), and the fluid discharge pipe (8). Emitted from.

The number of units (2) arranged between the end plates (3) and (4) can be arbitrarily selected in consideration of the amount of treatment in the separation membrane module (1). Is 1
It is appropriately selected from the range of 0 to 100.

Next, the separation device of the present invention will be described. The separation device of the present invention is a plate-frame type separation device using the separation membrane module. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the separation membrane module (1) described above is used.
And a container (10) for accommodating the same, and a recovery means for collecting the fluid that passes through the separation membrane (25) and flows out from the outer peripheral wall surface of the separation membrane module (1).

In the case of the pervaporation method and the vapor permeation method, the recovery means is provided in the container (10) and is composed of a recovery pipe (11) which is sequentially connected to a trap device and a pressure reducing device (not shown). Then, by driving the decompression device (vacuum pump), the fluid flowing out from the outer peripheral wall surface of the separation membrane module (1) is collected in the collection pipe (11) through the depressurized container (10) and collected in the trap device. To be done. Although the recovery pipe (11) is provided on the side wall of the container (10) in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, it is provided on the bottom of the container (10) when the liquid pool is a problem. Good.

The separation membrane module and the liquid separation device of the present invention are capable of performing various separations such as pervaporation, vapor permeation, reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration and microfiltration by appropriately selecting the type of the separation membrane (25). Although it can be performed, it is particularly suitable as a separation membrane module and a separation device in a pervaporation method or a vapor permeation method. The type of the separation membrane (25) can be appropriately selected from known separation membranes according to the purpose of separation.

When the separation membrane module and the liquid separation device of the present invention are used in the pervaporation method, the opening (28),
The material of the seal ring provided on the inner peripheral wall surface of (28) and the closing ring (29) provided in the two separated flow paths extending in the longitudinal direction through the stack are as follows:
Polypropylene, polyurethane, polysulfone, Teflon, plastic such as fluororubber, metal such as stainless steel, or ceramics is preferably used. Such a material is particularly excellent in solvent resistance and heat resistance, and is suitable when the separation membrane module of the present invention is used to recover ethanol from a fermentation liquor or dehydrate from alcohol forming an azeotropic composition.

[0040]

In the separation membrane module of the present invention, the separation membranes of the stack are pressed by the tops of the plurality of convex ribs provided on the membrane supporting surface of each membrane supporting plate, and therefore the organic liquid is treated. Even when the separation is performed, the separation membrane is not loosened significantly due to swelling. Therefore, the material of the separation membrane can be selected from a wide range of materials without being limited by the properties of the treatment liquid. Moreover, for example, wrinkles are hardly generated in the swollen separation membrane due to the repeated depressurization or sweep operation on the secondary side.

In the separation membrane module of the present invention, since the membrane supporting plate has a porous structure, the fluid that has passed through the separation membrane and has entered the inside of the membrane supporting plate is
It can be smoothly discharged from the outer peripheral wall surface of the membrane supporting plate.
Therefore, deterioration of the separation performance due to the separation membranes of the stack being pressed against each other by the tops of the plurality of convex ribs is avoided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a separation device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of a cross section taken along line II-II of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of a cross section taken along line III-III in FIG.

[Explanation of sign]

 1: Separation Membrane Module 2: Unit 3: End Plate 4: End Plate 5: Bolt 6: Nut 7: Fluid Supply Pipe 8: Fluid Discharge Pipe 9: Flow Path 10: Container 11: Recovery Pipe 21: Membrane Support Plate 211: Outer peripheral protrusion 212: Convex rib 24: Membrane support 25: Separation membrane 28: Opening 29: Closing ring

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A separation membrane module for use in a plate-frame type separation device, comprising a membrane support plate each supporting at least one separation membrane so as to form a flow path parallel to the membrane surface. A stack, two separate channels connected to each of the above channels and extending in the longitudinal direction through the stack, and connected to one end of either of these two separate channels. In a separation membrane module comprising a fluid supply means and a fluid discharge means connected to one of the other ends, and a pressure contact means for the stack, the membrane support plate is configured to have a porous structure, and Providing a plurality of convex ribs on the membrane supporting surface of the membrane supporting plate,
A separation membrane module, characterized in that the separation membrane of the stack is pressed against the top of the convex rib. 2. The separation membrane module according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of convex ribs are provided on both sides of the membrane support plate. 3. The separation according to claim 1, wherein the membrane supporting plate is made of a porous material, and the membrane supporting plate and the plurality of convex ribs are integrally molded with the porous material. Membrane module. 4. A separate closing means is provided in each of two separate flow paths extending in the longitudinal direction through the stack, and the closing means arranged in one flow path closes the other flow path. Positioned so as to form a step in the longitudinal direction with respect to the means, whereby the flow of fluid coming through the longitudinal channel is deflected towards a channel extending parallel to the membrane surface. The separation membrane module according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. A plate-frame type separation device using the separation membrane module according to claim 1, wherein the separation membrane module, a container for housing the separation membrane module, and a separation membrane are provided. And a means for collecting and discharging fluid that has passed and flown out from the outer peripheral wall surface of the stack.