WO2009051429A2

WO2009051429A2 - Nitrogen gas generation device

Info

Publication number: WO2009051429A2
Application number: PCT/KR2008/006129
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jin-Ki Lee; Dong-Ho Shin
Original assignee: Jin-Ki Lee; Dong-Ho Shin
Priority date: 2007-10-16
Filing date: 2008-10-16
Publication date: 2009-04-23
Also published as: KR20090038614A; WO2009051429A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a nitrogen generator, and more particularly a nitrogen generator comprising: an inlet member equipped with an inlet port; a discharge member equipped with a discharge port; a first pipe that is connected to the above inlet member; a second pipe that is connected to the above discharge member; hollow fiber membranes that are connected to the first pipe and the second pipe, wherein the first pipe and the second pipe are separated from each other thereby enabling the miniaturization of the product.

Description

[DESCRIPTION] [Invention Tit Ie]

NITROGEN GAS GENERATION DEVICE [Technical Field]

<i> The present invention relates to a nitrogen generator wherein hollow fiber membranes are encased with a vinyl for miniaturization, thus protecting the hollow fiber membranes while enabling the hollow fiber membranes to be bent or wound into a circular or oval shape. [Background Art]

<2> Up to now, an oxygen generator utilizing gas separation membrane has been proposed as disclosed in Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 0364584.

<3> As shown in FIG. 1, disc-type sealing members (15, 16) with a plurality of assembly holes (17) into which each hollow fiber membrane (21) is inserted are installed. The hollow fiber membrane module (20) comprises bundles of tube-type hollow fiber membranes (21). Each end of hollow fiber membranes (21) is inserted into the assembly holes (17) of respective sealing members (15, 16) and installed inside the case (10) in such a way that it is connected with the inlet port (11) and discharge port (13) of the case (10). At this time, oxygen in the air supplied through the inlet port (11) permeates each hollow fiber membrane (21) to the periphery faster than nitrogen by the principle of dissolution and diffusion. Then, the permeate air with about 40% oxygen concentration is fed to the vent hole (12) on a side of the case (10) while the residual air with relatively high nitrogen concentration is discharged outside through the discharge port (13) and discharge duct (18).

<4> According to this configuration, a pleasant living environment can be provided as air is introduced into a room after passing through the gas separation membrane and thereby enhancing the oxygen concentration.

<5> However the conventional art uses a long length type of membrane in order to enhance nitrogen purity and has a problem, when producing oxygen and nitrogen generators, that the miniaturization of the product is not possible because the membrane cannot be bent or wound due to its long length.

<6> Moreover, in the conventional art, only one vent hole is provided, which causes a problem that the location of the vent hole affects the amount and purity of the discharged oxygen and nitrogen. [Disclosure] [Technical Problem]

<7> The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to enable production of an ultra compact nitrogen generator by employing a vinyl that helps protect the hollow fiber membranes and also enables the hollow fiber membranes to be bent or wound into a circular or oval shape.

<8> At this time, it is another object of the present invention to provide a nitrogen generator that maintains the performance without deterioration by keeping the hollow fiber membranes in a circular of oval shape by means of an attachment bracket that is installed inside the nitrogen generator.

<9> It is a further object of the present invention to provide a nitrogen generator that enables obtaining high purity nitrogen by sealing the air discharge end of the vinyl while leaving the air inlet end of the vinyl open so that gases other than nitrogen such as moisture, oxygen, helium, etc. are freely vented out anywhere around the hollow fiber membranes. [Technical Solution]

<io> The above and other objects can be accomplished by a nitrogen generator of the present invention comprising: an inlet member equipped with an inlet port; a discharge member equipped with a discharge port; a first pipe that is connected to the inlet member; a second pipe that is connected to the discharge member; hollow fiber membranes that are connected to the first pipe and the second pipe, wherein a feature of the present invention is that the first pipe and the second pipe are separated from each other.

<ii> Another feature of the present invention is that the hollow fiber membranes can be kept in a circular or oval shape by means of an attachment bracket that is installed inside the nitrogen generator.

<12> A further feature of the present invention is that the hollow fiber membranes are encased with a vinyl and the first pipe end of the vinyl is left open while the second pipe end of the vinyl is sealed by tape.

<i3> Also a still further feature of the present invention is that the hollow fiber membranes are made of polysulfone.

<14> In general, in the conventional gas separation device, it is not possible to miniaturize the product because a long length type of membrane is used to obtain high purity. Furthermore, only one vent hole is provided, which causes a problem that the location of the vent hole affects the discharge amount and purity of oxygen and nitrogen.

<i5> Accordingly the present invention enables production of an ultra compact nitrogen generator by employing a vinyl that helps protect the hollow fiber membranes and also enables the hollow fiber membranes to be bent or wound into a circular or oval shape.

<16> At this time, in order to keep the hollow fiber membranes in a circular or oval shape and thus maintain the performance of the nitrogen generator, an attachment bracket is installed inside the nitrogen generator.

<π> Additionally, the present invention enables obtaining high purity nitrogen by sealing the air discharge end of the vinyl while leaving the air inlet end of the vinyl open so that gases other than nitrogen such as moisture, oxygen, helium, etc. are freely vented out anywhere around the hollow fiber membranes. [Advantageous Effects]

<18> In accordance with the nitrogen generator of the present invention as explained above, the following advantageous effects have been realized.

<19> An advantage of the present invention is that the nitrogen generator can be ultra compact by employing a vinyl that helps protect the hollow fiber membranes and enables the hollow fiber membranes to be bent or wound into a circular or oval shape.

<20> At this time, in order to keep the hollow fiber membranes in a circular or oval shape and thus maintain the performance of the nitrogen generator, an attachment bracket is installed inside the nitrogen generator. <2i> The further advantage of the present invention is that high purity nitrogen can be obtained by sealing the air discharge end of the vinyl while leaving the air inlet end of the vinyl open so that gases other than nitrogen such as moisture, oxygen, helium etc. are freely vented out anywhere around the hollow fiber membranes. [Description of Drawings] <22> FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the conventional hollow fiber membrane module.

<23> FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the membrane of the present invention. <24> FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the FIG. 2. <25> FIG. 4 is an illustration showing a bracket to which the hollow fiber membranes are attached according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. <26> FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the nitrogen generator according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

<27> (Description of the reference numerals of main parts in the drawings) <28> 100: Nitrogen Generator 110: Handle 121: Fan

<29> 151: First pipe 152: Second pipe 171: Inlet member

<30> 172: Discharge member 220: Pressure gauge 240: Flow meter <3i> 250: Regulator 260: Membrane

<32> 261: Hollow fiber membranes 262: Vinyl 263: Space <33> 265: Bracket 271: Inlet port 272: Discharge port

[Mode for Invention] <34> Hereinafter, the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. <35> For reference, please refer to the aforedescribed conventional art for those configurations of the present invention that are the same as in the conventional art and the separate detailed explanation for such configurations is to be omitted herein. <36> FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the conventional hollow fiber membrane module. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the membrane of the present invention while FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an illustration showing a bracket to which the hollow fiber membranes are attached according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. And FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the nitrogen generator according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

<37> As shown in FIG.2 to FIG. 5, the nitrogen generator (100) of the embodiment of the present invention comprises: an inlet member (171) equipped with an inlet port (271); a discharge member (172) equipped with a discharge port (272); a first pipe (151) that is connected to the inlet member (171); a second pipe (152) that is connected to the discharge member (172); hollow fiber membranes (261) that are connected to the first pipe (171) and the second pipe (172), wherein the first pipe (151) and the second pipe (152) are separated from each other.

<38> An advantage of the present invention with this configuration is that the nitrogen generator (100) can be compact since the hollow fiber membranes

(261) can be bent into a circular or oval shape.

<39> Another advantage of the present invention is that the performance of the nitrogen generator (100) can be maintained by keeping the hollow fiber membranes (261) in a circular or oval shape by means of an attachment bracket (265) that is installed inside the nitrogen generator (100), thereby preventing the hollow fiber membranes (261) from being damaged and folded.

<40> The present invention employs a vinyl (262) that encases the hollow fiber membranes (261). The further advantage of the present invention is that high purity nitrogen can be obtained by sealing the second pipe (152) end of the vinyl (262) by tape while leaving the first pipe (151) end of the vinyl

(262) open so that gases other than nitrogen are freely vented out. <4i> Also the hollow fiber membranes (261) are made of polysulfone.

<42> As shown in FIG. 2, the inlet member (171) is equipped with an inlet port (271). Even though it is desirable to have the inlet member (171) equipped with a separate inlet port (271), the inlet hole can be built into the inlet member.

<43> Therefore, air is introduced into the inlet port (271) by means of a motor or pump.

<44> Each end of the hollow fiber membranes (261) is respectively inserted into the first pipe (151) and the second pipe (152) so that they are all connected with each other.

<45> The inlet member (171) is so shaped that the insert bore (264) to which the first pipe (151) is inserted is connected with the inlet port (271).

<46> In addition, the inlet member (171) and the first pipe (151) are connected to each other by threads as the inlet member (171) has the internal threads (273) while the first pipe (151) has the external threads (274).

<47> Furthermore, the inside wall of the inlet member (171) has a protruded step that prevents the first pipe (151) from being inserted further as the first pipe (151) is inserted into the insert bore (264). Because of this step, a space is formed between the end of the inlet port (271) and the end of the hollow fiber membranes (261). Therefore the air from narrow flow passage of the inlet port (271) can be introduced uniformly and smoothly into the hollow fiber membranes (261) that has a large cross sectional area.

<48> A sealing member (131) like an o-ring is positioned between the above step and the first pipe (151) to maximize the sealing effect.

<49> On the other hand, the configuration for the connection of the discharge member (172) equipped with the discharge port (272), the second pipe (152) and the hollow fiber membranes (261) is the same as for the connection of the inlet member (171) equipped with the inlet port (271), the first pipe (151) and the hollow fiber membranes (261).

<50> With this configuration, the oxygen in the air supplied through the inlet port (271) is released to the outside of the hollow fiber membranes (261) while the nitrogen-rich residual air is discharged through the second pipe (152) and the discharge member (172) equipped with the discharge port (272). <5i> At this time, because the first pipe (151) and the second pipe (152) are separated from each other, thus exposing the hollow fiber membranes

(261), the hollow fiber membranes (261) can be bent or wound into a circular or oval shape. <52> As a result, the miniaturization of the nitrogen generator (100) can be realized because it is possible to make the membrane (260) compact. <53> Also because it is possible to use longer hollow fiber membranes (261), high nitrogen concentration and flow rate can be realized as air passes through such hollow fiber membranes (261). <54> It is desirable to employ a vinyl (262) in order to protect the hollow fiber membranes (261). <55> The above vinyl (262) encases the hollow fiber membranes (261), thus protecting the hollow fiber membranes (261) from fine dust, strange materials, etc. <56> As shown in FIG. 4, an attachment bracket (265), which works as a guide for the hollow fiber membranes (261), is installed inside the nitrogen generator (100) so that the hollow fiber membranes (261) can be kept in a curved shape (e.g., a circular or oval shape). <57> The above bracket (265) is of a circular or oval shape or multiple circular or oval shapes so that the hollow fiber membranes (261) can be kept in a circular or oval shape. <58> Furthermore, it is desirable to have the bracket (265) equipped with a hook of a coat hanger shape. <59> The bracket (265) can be installed wherever the hollow fiber membranes

(261) can be installed. <60> Accordingly, the performance of the nitrogen generator (100) can be maintained by preventing the hollow fiber membranes (261) from being damaged and folded due to moving and mishandling of the nitrogen generator (100). <6i> The vinyl (262) that protects the hollow fiber membranes (261) has the first pipe (151) end left open so that gases other than nitrogen such as moisture, oxygen, helium, etc. are vented out. <62> On the other hand, the vinyl is sealed by tape at the second pipe (152) end where the nitrogen is discharged after passing through the hollow fiber membranes (261).

<63> It is desirable to use polysulfone (PSF), PEI (polyetherimide) or PVDF (polyvinyl idene fluoride) as a material of the above hollow fiber membranes (261).

<64> The permeability can be improved by using polysulfone as a material of the hollow fiber membranes (261).

<65> As shown in FIG. 5, air is introduced through a grille (121) by means of a fan (121) that is installed at a side of the nitrogen generator (100) and discharged by means of another fan that is installed at the other side but not shown in the drawing.

<66> In addition, on the outside of the above nitrogen generator (100), a pressure gauge (220) and a pressure regulator (250) are installed so that the operator can easily read and regulate the discharge pressure.

<67> Also on the outside of the above nitrogen generator (100), a flow meter (240) and a flow regulator are installed so that the operator can easily read and regulate the nitrogen flow rate.

<68> Because the nitrogen generator with this configuration has been disclosed in Korean Registered Utility Model No. 20-0412013 and the nitrogen generator that has added an air compressor to the present invention has been disclosed in Korean Registered Patent No. 10-0733067, the detailed explanation for such configuration is to be omitted herein.

<69> Although the present invention herein has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made to the above described embodiments, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. [Industrial Applicability]

<70> As described above, it is desirable to use the nitrogen generator in accordance with the present invention for freshness control of food, soldering, etc.

<7i> Also the nitrogen generator of the present invention can be used in other areas where the nitrogen is required and is suitable especially where an ultra compact nitrogen generator is needed.

Claims

[CLAIMS] [Claim 1]

<73> A nitrogen generator comprising: <74> an inlet member equipped with an inlet port; <75> a discharge member equipped with a discharge port; <76> a first pipe that is connected to the inlet member; <77> a second pipe that is connected to the discharge member; <78> hollow fiber membranes that are connected to the first pipe and the second pipe, wherein a feature is that the first pipe and the second pipe are separated from each other.

[Claim 2]

<79> The nitrogen generator according to claim 1 wherein another feature is that the hollow fiber membranes can be kept in a circular or oval shape by means of an attachment bracket installed inside the nitrogen generator.

[Claim 3]

<80> The nitrogen generator according to claim 1 wherein a further feature is that the hollow fiber membranes are encased with a vinyl and the first pipe end of the vinyl is left open while the second pipe end of the vinyl is sealed by tape.

[Claim 4]

<8i> The nitrogen generator according to claim 1 wherein a still further feature is that the hollow fiber membranes are made of polysulfone.