WO2018033838A1 - Apparatus for extraction of a gas from a gaseous medium flow and method for manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Apparatus for extraction of a gas from a gaseous medium flow and method for manufacturing the same Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018033838A1
WO2018033838A1 PCT/IB2017/054904 IB2017054904W WO2018033838A1 WO 2018033838 A1 WO2018033838 A1 WO 2018033838A1 IB 2017054904 W IB2017054904 W IB 2017054904W WO 2018033838 A1 WO2018033838 A1 WO 2018033838A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
membrane
coating
membrane contactor
contactor
contactors
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2017/054904
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ali POORKHALIL
Hasan FARROKHZAD
Original Assignee
Poorkhalil Ali
Farrokhzad Hasan
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Poorkhalil Ali, Farrokhzad Hasan filed Critical Poorkhalil Ali
Publication of WO2018033838A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018033838A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/14—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by absorption
    • B01D53/1456—Removing acid components
    • B01D53/1462—Removing mixtures of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/22—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by diffusion
    • B01D53/229—Integrated processes (Diffusion and at least one other process, e.g. adsorption, absorption)
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D63/00—Apparatus in general for separation processes using semi-permeable membranes
    • B01D63/02—Hollow fibre modules
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D67/00—Processes specially adapted for manufacturing semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus
    • B01D67/0081—After-treatment of organic or inorganic membranes
    • B01D67/0088—Physical treatment with compounds, e.g. swelling, coating or impregnation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D67/00—Processes specially adapted for manufacturing semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus
    • B01D67/0081—After-treatment of organic or inorganic membranes
    • B01D67/0095—Drying
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2252/00—Absorbents, i.e. solvents and liquid materials for gas absorption
    • B01D2252/10—Inorganic absorbents
    • B01D2252/103—Water
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2256/00—Main component in the product gas stream after treatment
    • B01D2256/24—Hydrocarbons
    • B01D2256/245—Methane
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2257/00—Components to be removed
    • B01D2257/30—Sulfur compounds
    • B01D2257/304—Hydrogen sulfide
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2257/00—Components to be removed
    • B01D2257/50—Carbon oxides
    • B01D2257/504—Carbon dioxide
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2311/00—Details relating to membrane separation process operations and control
    • B01D2311/04—Specific process operations in the feed stream; Feed pretreatment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2311/00—Details relating to membrane separation process operations and control
    • B01D2311/26—Further operations combined with membrane separation processes
    • B01D2311/2626—Absorption or adsorption
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2315/00—Details relating to the membrane module operation
    • B01D2315/22—Membrane contactor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2325/00—Details relating to properties of membranes
    • B01D2325/12—Adsorbents being present on the surface of the membranes or in the pores
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02C—CAPTURE, STORAGE, SEQUESTRATION OR DISPOSAL OF GREENHOUSE GASES [GHG]
    • Y02C20/00—Capture or disposal of greenhouse gases
    • Y02C20/40—Capture or disposal of greenhouse gases of CO2

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates generally to a hybrid system including a membrane contactor and an absorber circulating in the system for gas-liquid contacting in process industry and, more specifically, to hybrid membrane contactor systems for natural gas sweetening.
  • Exemplary gas liquid contacting applications can include carbon dioxide separation, natural gas sweetening, and the like.
  • the removal of carbon dioxide or other compounds from gases may be desirable or necessary for a number of reasons.
  • Apparatus and methods of the above mentioned nature have been known in the prior art for some time. They can be used for different purposes. For example, it is often desired to extract Carbon dioxide (CO2) from a gaseous medium flow in order to prevent the release of CO2 in the atmosphere.
  • CO2 Carbon dioxide
  • a typical application is the treatment of an exhaust medium flow of a coal power plant.
  • C02 or other gases such as Hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
  • H2S Hydrogen sulfide
  • said natural gas can contain severe amounts of either CO2 and/or H2S.
  • the extraction of such gases is advantageous for several reasons. Firstly, the extracted gas leaves a "cleaned" natural gas medium flow with a higher energy 5 density than before the extraction. Secondly, the extracted gases can be treated separately and do not get exhausted to the environment when combusting the natural gas for the purpose of energy production.
  • the present invention deals with an apparatus for extraction of at least 5 one gas from a medium flow, comprising
  • the membrane contactor containing at least one hollow fiber membrane, the membrane contactor having a medium side and an absorber side which is situated opposite to the medium side,
  • At least one medium pipe for supplying an untreated medium flow to the medium side of the membrane contactor and for discharging a treated medium flow away from the membrane contactor
  • At least one absorber pipe for supplying an absorption fluid to the absorber side of the membrane contactor and discharging said absorption fluid away from said membrane contactor, respectively
  • the membrane contactor comprises a plurality of pores, which permit at least the one gas to be extracted from the medium flow to pass through the membrane contactor from its medium side to its absorber side or vice versa, the membrane contactor otherwise being arranged in such a way that a fluidic connection between its medium side and its absorber side is prevented, wherein the membrane contactor is provided with a coating on at least either one of its sides, the coating preventing a direct contact of the absorption fluid with the gaseous medium flow.
  • the medium flow can be a gaseous medium flow whilst the absorption fluid can be a liquid.
  • the present invention deals with a method for the manufacturing of such an apparatus, wherein said apparatus comprises a plurality of membrane contactors made from hollow fiber membranes, the membrane contactors being combined by means of 30 combination devices on their one ends and their other ends, respectively, and together form a membrane module, the membrane module further comprising a housing which is impermeable at least to liquids, wherein the membrane contactors extend inside the housing.
  • membrane contactor within the meaning of the present invention describes a membrane that functions as a barrier between the (gaseous) medium flow and the (aqueous) absorption liquid.
  • the side of the membrane, on which 5 the medium flow to be treated is situated, is called “medium side” in the present application.
  • medium side The side of the membrane, on which 5 the medium flow to be treated is situated.
  • absorption liquid is situated, the other side of the membrane contactor, where the absorption liquid is situated, is called “absorber side” in the present application.
  • the gas pressure of the medium flow on the medium side is set above the liquid pressure of the absorption liquid on the absorber side such that the absorption liquid is unable to penetrate the membrane contactor emanating from the absorber side and then reach the medium side.
  • the "medium pipe” within the meaning of the present invention describes a tube in general that is suited for guiding a gaseous flow.
  • a medium pipe could be constructed from e metallic pipe with a circular diameter.
  • the medium pipe is constructed from a plurality of single pipes, each of which is at least timely used to guide a medium flow.
  • the afterwards “treated” medium flow is then guided away from the membrane contactor again by the use of a medium pipe.
  • the "absorber pipe” within the meaning of the present invention is used for guiding the absorption fluid to the absorber side of the membrane contactor.
  • the absorption fluid is typically composed in such a way that it is keen to absorb the gas to be extracted from the medium flow, the absorption therefore being able to work rather quickly. It is clear that the absorption liquid fluid is going to get saturated with the gas to be extracted over time, absorption fluid's inclination to absorb said gas, therefore, reducing over time. In order to account for this, it is common to guide the absorption fluid away from the membrane contactor after the first having been in contact with the latter for a certain amount of time. In particular, it is conceivable to continuously guide the absorption fluid alongside the membrane contactor. It is very well possible to circulate the absorption fluid from the membrane contactor to a desorption means and desorb the respective gas from the medium flow there. The absorption fluid can then be recycled to the membrane contactor.
  • a "coating" within the meaning of the present invention describes a sort of barrier that prevents the absorption fluid from penetrating the pores of the membrane contactor.
  • the pores should remain free of the absorption fluid such that the gas to be extracted can diffuse through the pores more efficiently.
  • Such a coating is typically applied to a membrane contactor after the latter itself is finished, for example by drowning the membrane contactor in a coating liquid and then drying the membrane contactor afterwards.
  • a coating could be extruded together with the membrane contactor.
  • a “combination device” within the meaning of the present application describes is a device which is used for embedding at least the ends of a plurality of membrane contactors and together with them form a membrane module.
  • An apparatus according to the present invention is typically constructed with a plurality of membrane contactors, possibly about 10.000 or more. These membrane contactors are usually made from hollow fiber membranes. The medium flow to be treated is then fed to inner volumes of said membrane contactors, the absorption fluid surrounding the latter. The gas to be extracted can then diffuse through the membranes to the absorption fluid.
  • the membrane module comprises the above mentioned “housing" which surrounds the plurality of membrane contactors.
  • the combination devices can have two functions. Firstly, they are used for anchoring the ends of the plurality of membrane contactors.
  • the above described medium pipe can, in this example, be very easily connected to the combination devices on both ends of the membrane contactors.
  • Fig. 1 A schematic overview of the apparatus according to the invention
  • Fig. 2 A cross section of a single membrane contactor
  • Fig. 3 A schematic overview of the apparatus according to the invention during manufacturing by use of the method according to the invention and
  • Fig.4 - Fig.7 A detail of a section of a membrane contactor during manufacturing by use of the method according to the invention
  • the problem is solved by making the membrane contactors from hydrophilic material or at least by having membrane contactors which have hydrophilic zones.
  • hydrophilic materials such as polysulfones (polysulfone or polyethersulfone) or polyamides are much cheaper than the materials used in the prior art, thereby making the apparatus as such cheaper.
  • the use of hydrophilic materials has not been considered until now because of the above described problem of the absorption liquid wetting the pores.
  • the use of hydrophilic material has been known only for membrane contactors which are used as barrier between two gases.
  • the use of hydrophilic membranes for the separation of an aqueous fluid from a gas has, however, not been tried.
  • the apparatus according to the invention can very well be used for a so called "gas sweetening process" which is used for extracting unwanted gases from a natural gas medium flow, thereby raising its energy density and lowering possibly harmful exhaust fumes which would otherwise incur during combustion of said natural gas medium flow.
  • the apparatus according to the invention can be used for extraction of C02 from a gaseous medium flow, especially from a natural gas medium flow.
  • the apparatus may be used for the extraction of H2S from a C02-medium flow.
  • the apparatus 20 In order to prevent wetting of the pores, it is essential for the apparatus 20 according to the present invention that at least one side, possibly even both sides, of a respective membrane contactor is equipped with a coating which prevents direct contact of the absorption liquid with the gaseous medium flow.
  • the coating is applied at least to the absorber side of the membrane contactor in order to prevent a direct contact of the absorption liquid with the absorber side and, most importantly, the pores of the membrane contactor.
  • the coating consists of a plurality of layers, which - considered in radial direction relative to the membrane contactor - are situated on top of each other, preferably directly on top of each other.
  • the coating can be made from reactive or non-reactive agents, depending on the properties needed and the way of applying the coating to the membrane contactor.
  • the coating is made from a siloxane-based coating.
  • the coating can be made of polyaniline (PANI) or polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF). These materials are both very easy to obtain and effective in terms of preventing the absorption liquid from getting into contact with the membrane contactor.
  • a thickness of the coating as measured from the absorber side of the membrane contactor and in a radial direction away from said membrane contactor is at maximum 150 ⁇ , preferably at maximum 50 ⁇ , more preferably at maximum 20 ⁇ .
  • a coating with a thickness within the given values does not influence the mechanical properties of the hollow fiber membranes used as membrane contactors but is, nonetheless, suitable for reliably preventing contact between the absorption liquid and the membrane contactor.
  • At least one coating liquid is fed to the medium sides (3) and/or the absorber sides (4) of the membrane contactors (2).
  • the coating liquid is continuously guided alongside the membrane contactors (2), preferably by flowing from one of the combination devices (1 1) through the membrane module (13) to the other combination device (12).
  • the coating liquid is drained from the membrane module (13) and the membrane contactors (2) are dried.
  • This inventive method is very advantageous because it gives the possibility of providing a large number of coated membrane contactors by applying only one combined manufacturing step for the coating of all membrane contactors at the same time.
  • it has been previously known to apply a coating to a respective membrane contactor.
  • this has only been possible for one membrane contactor at a time.
  • all membrane contactors of a membrane module can be coated simultaneously, thereby severely reducing manufacturing costs of such membrane modules. It is clear, that coated membrane contactors are needed if, according to the invention, a hydrophilic material is to be used for the membrane contactors.
  • the side of the membrane contactors, to which the coating is applied depends on the side which is about to come in direct contact with the absorption liquid.
  • the membrane contactors are made from strung-out hollow fiber membranes which extend between the combination devices, preferably in a vertical direction.
  • the membrane contactors may be arranged in a transverse or any other direction. Independently from the specific arrangement of the membrane contactors, it is preferable to feed the coating liquid to the membrane module such that it surrounds the plurality of membrane contactors forming the membrane module.
  • the coating liquid is circulated in an isolated coating circuit such that the coating liquid is continuously guided alongside the membrane contactors.
  • a coating circuit at least comprises a coating liquid reservoir, a circulation 5 pump and a connection pipe.
  • the coating liquid is then pumped from the coating liquid reservoir by means of the circulation pump via the connection pipe to the membrane module. Inside the membrane module, it is guided alongside the membrane contactors and then circulated back to the coating liquid reservoir.
  • each membrane contactor After the coating liquid is drained from the membrane module, each membrane contactor has a rather thin but very even layer of coating liquid stuck to its absorber side. After a drying period, the coating liquid is dried out and thereby eventually forms the coating for the membrane contactors. Furthermore, it is possible that the final coating is a composite coating made from at least two different coating components. If this is the case, the method may be altered in such a way that the separate components are applied to the membrane contactors separately, preferably after one another. For example, common coatings can be made of two ingredients which have to be applied to the membrane contactors in two consecutive steps. If this is the case, firstly the first ingredient is drained from the membrane module and, afterwards, the second ingredient is fed thereto, thereby eventually forming the coating.
  • a wetting agent is fed to the membrane contactors at least before the coating period, preferably further during the coating period.
  • the wetting agent is suited for interacting with the pores of the membrane contactors to the effect that a penetration of the coating liquid inside the pores is prevented.
  • the wetting agent is immiscible with the coating liquid.
  • the wetting agent can, for example, be water.
  • the coating liquid is fed to the absorber side of the membrane contactors, it might be advisable to feed the wetting agent inside the membrane contactors, preferably by guiding said wetting agent to at least one of the combination devices and distributing it from there to each individual membrane contactor.
  • the wetting agent is circulated in a wetting circuit, wherein the wetting agent is pumped by a circulation pump from a wetting agent reservoir to the membrane module, in particular one of its combination devices, through the membrane contactors and eventually back to the wetting agent reservoir.
  • the membrane contactors can preferably be charged with curing means, in particular with UV radiation, temperature and/or pressure. Such a treatment can be beneficial with respect to the properties of the coating itself, depending on the material used
  • the design example as shown in the Figures 1 to 7 comprises an apparatus 1 according to the invention.
  • the apparatus 1 comprises a membrane module 13 which consists of two combination devices 11, 12, a housing 5 and a plurality of membrane contactors 2.
  • the membrane contactors 2 are made from hollow fiber membranes which extend between the combination devices 11, 12, the latter being situated on opposite ends of the membrane contactors 2. Together with the housing 5, the combination devices 11, 12 delimit an interior space of the membrane module 13.
  • the membrane contactors 2 themselves each delimit an interior space which is delimited by the porous membrane material of which the membrane contactors 2 are made.
  • the membrane module 13 is fed with a gaseous medium flow that is to be treated by means of the apparatus 1 according to the invention.
  • the medium flow is guided to the membrane module 13 via a medium pipe 6.
  • the medium flow is delivered to the lower combination device 11.
  • the medium flow is distributed to the interior spaces of the plurality of membrane contactors 2, each of which being connected to a distribution chamber of the combination device 11.
  • the medium flow enters the second combination device 12 and is guided away from there by means of another medium pipe 6.
  • the present membrane module 13 holds about 15,000 membrane contactors 2 altogether.
  • the cross section of each individual membrane contactor 2 is rather small resulting in a throttle effect which leads to an at least essentially even distribution of the medium flow to the interior spaces of the membrane contactors 2.
  • the membrane module 13 is further supplied with an absorption liquid via an absorber pipe 7.
  • the absorption liquid is necessary in order to absorb the gas to be extracted from the gaseous medium flow.
  • the apparatus 1 comprises an absorption circuit which enables the absorption liquid to be recycled and used again.
  • the upper combination device 12 is fluidically connected to desorption means 17 via an absorber pipe 7.
  • the desorption means 17 By use of the desorption means 17, the gas to be extracted can be desorbed from the absorption liquid, enabling the absorption liquid to be recycled to the lower combination device 11 of the membrane module 13.
  • the desorption means 17 and the membrane module 13 are arranged in an absorption circuit.
  • the absorption liquid is driven by means of a circulation pump 18.
  • the desorption means 17 may also make use of a membrane module in order to extract the previously absorbed gas from the absorption liquid and transfer it back from its aqueous phase inside the absorption liquid to its gaseous phase.
  • the absorption liquid and the gaseous medium flow to be treated may be guided alongside the membrane contactors 2 in the same direction of movement or in opposite directions of movement. Furthermore, a cross-flow arrangement is possible for which the membrane contactors 2 are arranged transversally. It is conceivable that the desorption means 17 is constructed similarly to the membrane module 13, meaning that it can make use of membrane contactors itself. In case of such a desorption means, the only difference to the membrane module 13 would be that the gas to be extracted would have to be extracted from an aqueous medium flow instead of a gaseous medium flow and that the gas to be extracted is "absorbed" in an absorption gas. The basic principle, however, would be basically the same.
  • the medium flow to be treated is fed to the interior spaces of the membrane contactors 2 whilst the absorption liquid is fed to a ring space of the membrane module 13, the latter being situated in the interior space of the housing 5 but outside each interior space of the membrane contactors 2.
  • the gas to be extracted being absorbed by the absorption liquid, it must diffuse through the porous membrane wall of the respective membrane contactor 2, starting at a medium side 3 and ending at an opposite absorber side 4 of a respective membrane contactor 2.
  • it is essential that the pores 8 are dry and, in particular, not penetrated by the absorption liquid.
  • the latter would be saturated with the gas to be treated rather quickly so that a further absorption of said gas would not be possible.
  • the absorption liquid would be "trapped" inside the porous membrane wall, thereby slowing down the extraction process considerably.
  • the membrane contactors 2 in the present design example are made from polyethersulfone (PES), the latter being a hydrophilic material.
  • PES polyethersulfone
  • These membrane contactors 2 have as advantages that their availability on the market is much better than the availability of common membrane contactors. Moreover, they are rather cheap by comparison, thereby making the membrane module 13 as such cheap by comparison to common membrane modules.
  • the use of hydrophilic material for the membrane contactors 2 makes it necessary to take a separate measure in order to prevent the absorption liquid from penetrating the pores 8 of the membrane contactors 2.
  • the membrane contactors 2 are equipped with a coating 9 which is applied to the outer absorber side 4 of the membrane contactors 2. This can very well be seen in the cross section according to Figure 2.
  • the coating 9 prevents a direct contact between the absorption liquid and the membrane contactor 2, thereby ensuring that the absorption liquid cannot enter the pores 8.
  • the coating 9 has a thickness 10 which is about 20 ⁇ in the present example.
  • the present design example makes use of the method according to the invention.
  • This method involves most importantly a coating circuit which is used to apply the coating liquid to the absorber sides 4 of the membrane contactors 2.
  • the combination devices 12 are connected to a coating liquid reservoir 14 by means of connection pipes 16.
  • a circulation of the coating liquid is driven by a circulation pump 15. Since the membrane module 13 is integrated into the coating circuit, the coating liquid is guided alongside the membrane contactors 2 when flowing from one combination device 11 to the other combination 5 device 12.
  • the coating liquid is drained from the membrane module 13.
  • the membrane contactors 2 are then left for drying, at the end of which the coatings 9 are finished in principle.
  • the method as shown comprises a step of wetting the pores 8 previous to applying the coating liquid to the membrane contactors 2.
  • the membrane module 13 is connected to a wetting circuit, the latter comprising a wetting agent reservoir 19, a circulation pump 20 and connection pipes 21.
  • the wetting agent 22 is delivered to the combination device 11 and distributed from there to the membrane contactors 2.
  • the wetting agent 22 then penetrates the pores 8 of the membrane contactors 2, wherein it is not essential whether this penetration takes places from the absorber side 4 or the medium side 3 of the membrane contactors 2. In other words, it is of secondary importance if the wetting agent 22 is fed to the interior spaces of the membrane contactors 2 or the ring space of the membrane module 13.
  • a wetted condition of the membrane contactors 2 is pictured in Figure 5 of the present application.
  • the wetting agent 22 "blocks" said pores 8 and thereby prevents their penetration by the coating liquid.
  • the coating liquid is then delivered to the membrane module 13 only after at least a first wetting of the pores 8 has taken place.
  • feeding the membrane module 13 with the wetting agent 22 is held up during the application of the coating liquid, such that the coating liquid cannot displace the wetting agent 22 throughout the process.
  • the wetting agent 22 is, too, drained from the membrane module 13, thereby leaving behind the membrane contactors 2 with their coating 9 as pictured in Figure 7.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Separation Using Semi-Permeable Membranes (AREA)

Abstract

Apparatus (1) for extraction of at least one gas from a gaseous medium flow, comprising at least one membrane contactor (2) containing at least one hollow fiber membrane, the membrane contactor (2) having a medium side (3) and an absorber side (4) which is situated opposite to the medium side (3), at least one housing (5) which 5 is impermeable at least to liquids, the membrane contactor (2) extending inside the housing, at least one medium pipe (6) for supplying an untreated medium flow to the medium side (3) of the membrane contactor (2) and for discharging a treated medium flow away from the membrane contactor (2), at least one absorber pipe (7) for supplying an absorption liquid to the absorber side (4) of the membrane contactor (2) and discharging said absorption liquid away from said membrane contactor (2), respectively, wherein the membrane contactor (2) comprises a plurality of pores (8), which permit at least the one gas to be extracted from the medium flow to pass through the membrane contactor (2) from its medium side (3) to its absorber side (4), the membrane contactor (2) otherwise being arranged in such a way that a fluidic connection 15 between its medium side (3) and its absorber side (4) is prevented, wherein the membrane contactor (2) is provided with a coating (9) on at least either one of its sides (3, 4), the coating (9) preventing a direct contact of the absorption liquid with the gaseous medium flow In order to provide an apparatus for extraction of gas from a gaseous medium flow that's construction is cheaper and simpler than the one known in the art, it is proposed according to the invention to make the membrane contactor (2) from a hydrophilic material.

Description

Apparatus for extraction of a gas from a gaseous medium flow and method for manufacturing the same
Description
• FIELD OF INVENTION:
Gas separation technology based on membrane contactor especially for C02 capture & gas sweetening
• BACKGROUND:
Prior art
This disclosure relates generally to a hybrid system including a membrane contactor and an absorber circulating in the system for gas-liquid contacting in process industry and, more specifically, to hybrid membrane contactor systems for natural gas sweetening.
Systems for capturing and/or separating polar gases such as CO2 and H2S are desirable in a variety of applications. Exemplary gas liquid contacting applications can include carbon dioxide separation, natural gas sweetening, and the like. For example, the removal of carbon dioxide or other compounds from gases may be desirable or necessary for a number of reasons.
[11] Apparatus and methods of the above mentioned nature have been known in the prior art for some time. They can be used for different purposes. For example, it is often desired to extract Carbon dioxide (CO2) from a gaseous medium flow in order to prevent the release of CO2 in the atmosphere. A typical application is the treatment of an exhaust medium flow of a coal power plant.
[12] Further, the extraction of C02 or other gases (such as Hydrogen sulfide (H2S)) can be used to treat a natural gas medium flow. Depending on the area in which the natural gas is produced, said natural gas can contain severe amounts of either CO2 and/or H2S. The extraction of such gases is advantageous for several reasons. Firstly, the extracted gas leaves a "cleaned" natural gas medium flow with a higher energy 5 density than before the extraction. Secondly, the extracted gases can be treated separately and do not get exhausted to the environment when combusting the natural gas for the purpose of energy production.
[13] The concept of extracting specific gases from a gaseous medium flow is known, for example, from the US patent applications US 2004/0029257 A1 and US 2008/0003662 A1. The use of membrane contactors made from hollow fiber membranes is, for example, disclosed in the article "Gas-liquid membrane contactors for CO2 removal" from Katja Simons, Kitty Nijmeijer and Matthias Wessling, published in Journal of Membrane Science on May 30, 2009, pages 214-220.
[14] One problem when using membrane contactors for the separation of a gaseous medium and a liquid medium is, that the liquid medium, which is typically the absorber, threatens to penetrate the pores of the membrane contactor and, as a result, reach the "medium side" of said contactor. Wetted pores can severely slow down or even completely prohibit the gas to be extracted to diffuse through the membrane. In order to prevent wetting of the pores, the membrane contactors are made from a hydrophobic material such as polypropylene or polyphenylene oxide. Furthermore, the absorber side of a respective membrane contactor can be coated such that the absorption liquid cannot get in contact with the absorber side directly.
[15] The known apparatus have the disadvantage, that their membrane contactors are rather expensive, therefore making the apparatus as such expensive.
[16] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for extraction of gas from a gaseous medium flow that's construction is cheaper and simpler than the one known in the art.
• SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[01] The present invention deals with an apparatus for extraction of at least 5 one gas from a medium flow, comprising
- at least one membrane contactor containing at least one hollow fiber membrane, the membrane contactor having a medium side and an absorber side which is situated opposite to the medium side,
- at least one housing which is impermeable at least to liquids, the membrane contactor extending inside the housing,
- at least one medium pipe for supplying an untreated medium flow to the medium side of the membrane contactor and for discharging a treated medium flow away from the membrane contactor,
- at least one absorber pipe for supplying an absorption fluid to the absorber side of the membrane contactor and discharging said absorption fluid away from said membrane contactor, respectively,
wherein the membrane contactor comprises a plurality of pores, which permit at least the one gas to be extracted from the medium flow to pass through the membrane contactor from its medium side to its absorber side or vice versa, the membrane contactor otherwise being arranged in such a way that a fluidic connection between its medium side and its absorber side is prevented, wherein the membrane contactor is provided with a coating on at least either one of its sides, the coating preventing a direct contact of the absorption fluid with the gaseous medium flow.
[02] In particular, the medium flow can be a gaseous medium flow whilst the absorption fluid can be a liquid. [03] Further, the present invention deals with a method for the manufacturing of such an apparatus, wherein said apparatus comprises a plurality of membrane contactors made from hollow fiber membranes, the membrane contactors being combined by means of 30 combination devices on their one ends and their other ends, respectively, and together form a membrane module, the membrane module further comprising a housing which is impermeable at least to liquids, wherein the membrane contactors extend inside the housing.
[04] The term "membrane contactor" within the meaning of the present invention describes a membrane that functions as a barrier between the (gaseous) medium flow and the (aqueous) absorption liquid. The side of the membrane, on which 5 the medium flow to be treated is situated, is called "medium side" in the present application. Respectively, the other side of the membrane contactor, where the absorption liquid is situated, is called "absorber side" in the present application.
[05] Usually, the gas pressure of the medium flow on the medium side is set above the liquid pressure of the absorption liquid on the absorber side such that the absorption liquid is unable to penetrate the membrane contactor emanating from the absorber side and then reach the medium side.
[06] The "medium pipe" within the meaning of the present invention describes a tube in general that is suited for guiding a gaseous flow. For example, such a medium pipe could be constructed from e metallic pipe with a circular diameter. It would also be conceivable that the medium pipe is constructed from a plurality of single pipes, each of which is at least timely used to guide a medium flow. In order to extract a gas from the medium flow, it is necessary to guide said medium flow to the medium side of the at least one membrane contactor such that the gas to be extracted can diffuse through the membrane and be absorbed by the absorption liquid on the absorber side of the membrane.
The afterwards "treated" medium flow is then guided away from the membrane contactor again by the use of a medium pipe.
[07] Analogical to the medium pipe the "absorber pipe" within the meaning of the present invention is used for guiding the absorption fluid to the absorber side of the membrane contactor. The absorption fluid is typically composed in such a way that it is keen to absorb the gas to be extracted from the medium flow, the absorption therefore being able to work rather quickly. It is clear that the absorption liquid fluid is going to get saturated with the gas to be extracted over time, absorption fluid's inclination to absorb said gas, therefore, reducing over time. In order to account for this, it is common to guide the absorption fluid away from the membrane contactor after the first having been in contact with the latter for a certain amount of time. In particular, it is conceivable to continuously guide the absorption fluid alongside the membrane contactor. It is very well possible to circulate the absorption fluid from the membrane contactor to a desorption means and desorb the respective gas from the medium flow there. The absorption fluid can then be recycled to the membrane contactor.
[08] A "coating" within the meaning of the present invention describes a sort of barrier that prevents the absorption fluid from penetrating the pores of the membrane contactor. The pores should remain free of the absorption fluid such that the gas to be extracted can diffuse through the pores more efficiently. Such a coating is typically applied to a membrane contactor after the latter itself is finished, for example by drowning the membrane contactor in a coating liquid and then drying the membrane contactor afterwards.
Alternatively, a coating could be extruded together with the membrane contactor.
[09] A "combination device" within the meaning of the present application describes is a device which is used for embedding at least the ends of a plurality of membrane contactors and together with them form a membrane module. An apparatus according to the present invention is typically constructed with a plurality of membrane contactors, possibly about 10.000 or more. These membrane contactors are usually made from hollow fiber membranes. The medium flow to be treated is then fed to inner volumes of said membrane contactors, the absorption fluid surrounding the latter. The gas to be extracted can then diffuse through the membranes to the absorption fluid. In order for the absorption fluid to stay in contact with the membranes, the membrane module comprises the above mentioned "housing" which surrounds the plurality of membrane contactors.
[10] In such an apparatus, the combination devices can have two functions. Firstly, they are used for anchoring the ends of the plurality of membrane contactors.
Secondly, the can be used for the distribution of a single medium flow to the membrane contactors on their one end and merge the plurality of medium flow fragments from each membrane contactors on their other end. The above described medium pipe can, in this example, be very easily connected to the combination devices on both ends of the membrane contactors.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[33] The apparatus as well as the method according to the invention are described below by reference to a design example which is shown in the figures. It shows:
Fig. 1 : A schematic overview of the apparatus according to the invention,
Fig. 2: A cross section of a single membrane contactor,
Fig. 3: A schematic overview of the apparatus according to the invention during manufacturing by use of the method according to the invention and
Fig.4 - Fig.7: A detail of a section of a membrane contactor during manufacturing by use of the method according to the invention
• DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[17] According to the present invention, the problem is solved by making the membrane contactors from hydrophilic material or at least by having membrane contactors which have hydrophilic zones.
[18] The so constructed apparatus has many advantages. Mostly, hydrophilic materials such as polysulfones (polysulfone or polyethersulfone) or polyamides are much cheaper than the materials used in the prior art, thereby making the apparatus as such cheaper. The use of hydrophilic materials has not been considered until now because of the above described problem of the absorption liquid wetting the pores. The use of hydrophilic material has been known only for membrane contactors which are used as barrier between two gases. The use of hydrophilic membranes for the separation of an aqueous fluid from a gas has, however, not been tried.
[19] The apparatus according to the invention can very well be used for a so called "gas sweetening process" which is used for extracting unwanted gases from a natural gas medium flow, thereby raising its energy density and lowering possibly harmful exhaust fumes which would otherwise incur during combustion of said natural gas medium flow. In particular, the apparatus according to the invention can be used for extraction of C02 from a gaseous medium flow, especially from a natural gas medium flow. Furthermore, the apparatus may be used for the extraction of H2S from a C02-medium flow.
[20] In order to prevent wetting of the pores, it is essential for the apparatus 20 according to the present invention that at least one side, possibly even both sides, of a respective membrane contactor is equipped with a coating which prevents direct contact of the absorption liquid with the gaseous medium flow. Advantageously, the coating is applied at least to the absorber side of the membrane contactor in order to prevent a direct contact of the absorption liquid with the absorber side and, most importantly, the pores of the membrane contactor.
[21] Further, it might be beneficial if the coating consists of a plurality of layers, which - considered in radial direction relative to the membrane contactor - are situated on top of each other, preferably directly on top of each other. The coating can be made from reactive or non-reactive agents, depending on the properties needed and the way of applying the coating to the membrane contactor.
[22] Preferably, the coating is made from a siloxane-based coating. Alternatively, the coating can be made of polyaniline (PANI) or polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF). These materials are both very easy to obtain and effective in terms of preventing the absorption liquid from getting into contact with the membrane contactor.
[23] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a thickness of the coating as measured from the absorber side of the membrane contactor and in a radial direction away from said membrane contactor is at maximum 150 μηι, preferably at maximum 50 μηι, more preferably at maximum 20 μηι. A coating with a thickness within the given values does not influence the mechanical properties of the hollow fiber membranes used as membrane contactors but is, nonetheless, suitable for reliably preventing contact between the absorption liquid and the membrane contactor.
[24] In order to further solve the problem underlying the present invention, a method according based on the above described is proposed, comprising the following method steps:
a) At least one coating liquid is fed to the medium sides (3) and/or the absorber sides (4) of the membrane contactors (2). b) During a coating period, the coating liquid is continuously guided alongside the membrane contactors (2), preferably by flowing from one of the combination devices (1 1) through the membrane module (13) to the other combination device (12).
c) At the end of the coating period, the coating liquid is drained from the membrane module (13) and the membrane contactors (2) are dried.
[25] This inventive method is very advantageous because it gives the possibility of providing a large number of coated membrane contactors by applying only one combined manufacturing step for the coating of all membrane contactors at the same time. As described above, it has been previously known to apply a coating to a respective membrane contactor. However, until now this has only been possible for one membrane contactor at a time. By using the inventive method, all membrane contactors of a membrane module can be coated simultaneously, thereby severely reducing manufacturing costs of such membrane modules. It is clear, that coated membrane contactors are needed if, according to the invention, a hydrophilic material is to be used for the membrane contactors.
[26] The side of the membrane contactors, to which the coating is applied, depends on the side which is about to come in direct contact with the absorption liquid. Preferably, the membrane contactors are made from strung-out hollow fiber membranes which extend between the combination devices, preferably in a vertical direction.
Alternatively, the membrane contactors may be arranged in a transverse or any other direction. Independently from the specific arrangement of the membrane contactors, it is preferable to feed the coating liquid to the membrane module such that it surrounds the plurality of membrane contactors forming the membrane module.
[27] Preferably, the coating liquid is circulated in an isolated coating circuit such that the coating liquid is continuously guided alongside the membrane contactors. Such a coating circuit at least comprises a coating liquid reservoir, a circulation 5 pump and a connection pipe. The coating liquid is then pumped from the coating liquid reservoir by means of the circulation pump via the connection pipe to the membrane module. Inside the membrane module, it is guided alongside the membrane contactors and then circulated back to the coating liquid reservoir.
[28] After the coating liquid is drained from the membrane module, each membrane contactor has a rather thin but very even layer of coating liquid stuck to its absorber side. After a drying period, the coating liquid is dried out and thereby eventually forms the coating for the membrane contactors. Furthermore, it is possible that the final coating is a composite coating made from at least two different coating components. If this is the case, the method may be altered in such a way that the separate components are applied to the membrane contactors separately, preferably after one another. For example, common coatings can be made of two ingredients which have to be applied to the membrane contactors in two consecutive steps. If this is the case, firstly the first ingredient is drained from the membrane module and, afterwards, the second ingredient is fed thereto, thereby eventually forming the coating.
[29] In a preferred embodiment of the inventive method, a wetting agent is fed to the membrane contactors at least before the coating period, preferably further during the coating period. The wetting agent is suited for interacting with the pores of the membrane contactors to the effect that a penetration of the coating liquid inside the pores is prevented.
Preferably, the wetting agent is immiscible with the coating liquid. The wetting agent can, for example, be water. In order for the coating agent not to penetrate the pores, it is advantageously to apply bring the wetting agent in contact with the membrane contactors before the coating liquid is fed to the membrane module. Further, it is possible that the coating liquid would, over time, displace the wetting agent from the pores and then penetrating the latter afterwards. In order to prevent this, it might be beneficial to build up a certain pressure in the wetting agent such that it is able to withstand any pressure from the coating liquid. In particular, if the coating liquid is fed to the absorber side of the membrane contactors, it might be advisable to feed the wetting agent inside the membrane contactors, preferably by guiding said wetting agent to at least one of the combination devices and distributing it from there to each individual membrane contactor.
[30] In a further preferred embodiment, the wetting agent is circulated in a wetting circuit, wherein the wetting agent is pumped by a circulation pump from a wetting agent reservoir to the membrane module, in particular one of its combination devices, through the membrane contactors and eventually back to the wetting agent reservoir.
[31] Furthermore, it is possible to supply the membrane contactors with a drying medium, for example air, after drainage of the coating liquid. By doing so, the drying period of the coating liquid can be reduced such that the coating process as such is finalized in a shorter period of time.
[32] Further, during or after drainage of the coating liquid, in particular after drying of the membrane contactors, the membrane contactors can preferably be charged with curing means, in particular with UV radiation, temperature and/or pressure. Such a treatment can be beneficial with respect to the properties of the coating itself, depending on the material used
[34] The design example as shown in the Figures 1 to 7 comprises an apparatus 1 according to the invention. The apparatus 1 comprises a membrane module 13 which consists of two combination devices 11, 12, a housing 5 and a plurality of membrane contactors 2. The membrane contactors 2 are made from hollow fiber membranes which extend between the combination devices 11, 12, the latter being situated on opposite ends of the membrane contactors 2. Together with the housing 5, the combination devices 11, 12 delimit an interior space of the membrane module 13. The membrane contactors 2 themselves each delimit an interior space which is delimited by the porous membrane material of which the membrane contactors 2 are made.
[35] During operation, the membrane module 13 is fed with a gaseous medium flow that is to be treated by means of the apparatus 1 according to the invention. The medium flow is guided to the membrane module 13 via a medium pipe 6. In particular, the medium flow is delivered to the lower combination device 11. From there, the medium flow is distributed to the interior spaces of the plurality of membrane contactors 2, each of which being connected to a distribution chamber of the combination device 11. At the upper end of the membrane contactors 2, the medium flow enters the second combination device 12 and is guided away from there by means of another medium pipe 6. The present membrane module 13 holds about 15,000 membrane contactors 2 altogether. The cross section of each individual membrane contactor 2 is rather small resulting in a throttle effect which leads to an at least essentially even distribution of the medium flow to the interior spaces of the membrane contactors 2.
[36] At the same time the medium flow is delivered to the membrane module 13, the membrane module 13 is further supplied with an absorption liquid via an absorber pipe 7. The absorption liquid is necessary in order to absorb the gas to be extracted from the gaseous medium flow. In the present example, the apparatus 1 comprises an absorption circuit which enables the absorption liquid to be recycled and used again. In order to obtain this, the upper combination device 12 is fluidically connected to desorption means 17 via an absorber pipe 7. By use of the desorption means 17, the gas to be extracted can be desorbed from the absorption liquid, enabling the absorption liquid to be recycled to the lower combination device 11 of the membrane module 13. In other words, the desorption means 17 and the membrane module 13 are arranged in an absorption circuit. In this circuit, the absorption liquid is driven by means of a circulation pump 18. The desorption means 17 may also make use of a membrane module in order to extract the previously absorbed gas from the absorption liquid and transfer it back from its aqueous phase inside the absorption liquid to its gaseous phase.
[37] The absorption liquid and the gaseous medium flow to be treated may be guided alongside the membrane contactors 2 in the same direction of movement or in opposite directions of movement. Furthermore, a cross-flow arrangement is possible for which the membrane contactors 2 are arranged transversally. It is conceivable that the desorption means 17 is constructed similarly to the membrane module 13, meaning that it can make use of membrane contactors itself. In case of such a desorption means, the only difference to the membrane module 13 would be that the gas to be extracted would have to be extracted from an aqueous medium flow instead of a gaseous medium flow and that the gas to be extracted is "absorbed" in an absorption gas. The basic principle, however, would be basically the same.
[38] In the present example, the medium flow to be treated is fed to the interior spaces of the membrane contactors 2 whilst the absorption liquid is fed to a ring space of the membrane module 13, the latter being situated in the interior space of the housing 5 but outside each interior space of the membrane contactors 2. In order for the gas to be extracted being absorbed by the absorption liquid, it must diffuse through the porous membrane wall of the respective membrane contactor 2, starting at a medium side 3 and ending at an opposite absorber side 4 of a respective membrane contactor 2. In order to do so, it is essential that the pores 8 are dry and, in particular, not penetrated by the absorption liquid. The latter would be saturated with the gas to be treated rather quickly so that a further absorption of said gas would not be possible. However, instead of being recycled by the desorption means 17, the absorption liquid would be "trapped" inside the porous membrane wall, thereby slowing down the extraction process considerably.
[39] In order to prevent penetration of the pores 8 by the absorption liquid, it is common in the art to use a hydrophobic material for the membrane contactors 2. According to the present invention, the membrane contactors 2 in the present design example are made from polyethersulfone (PES), the latter being a hydrophilic material. These membrane contactors 2 have as advantages that their availability on the market is much better than the availability of common membrane contactors. Moreover, they are rather cheap by comparison, thereby making the membrane module 13 as such cheap by comparison to common membrane modules. The use of hydrophilic material for the membrane contactors 2 makes it necessary to take a separate measure in order to prevent the absorption liquid from penetrating the pores 8 of the membrane contactors 2.
[40] Therefore, the membrane contactors 2 are equipped with a coating 9 which is applied to the outer absorber side 4 of the membrane contactors 2. This can very well be seen in the cross section according to Figure 2. The coating 9 prevents a direct contact between the absorption liquid and the membrane contactor 2, thereby ensuring that the absorption liquid cannot enter the pores 8. The coating 9 has a thickness 10 which is about 20 μηι in the present example.
[41] In order to apply the coating 9 to each individual membrane contactor 2, the present design example makes use of the method according to the invention. This method involves most importantly a coating circuit which is used to apply the coating liquid to the absorber sides 4 of the membrane contactors 2. In order to do so, the combination devices 12 are connected to a coating liquid reservoir 14 by means of connection pipes 16. A circulation of the coating liquid is driven by a circulation pump 15. Since the membrane module 13 is integrated into the coating circuit, the coating liquid is guided alongside the membrane contactors 2 when flowing from one combination device 11 to the other combination 5 device 12.
[42] After a certain coating period, the coating liquid is drained from the membrane module 13. The membrane contactors 2 are then left for drying, at the end of which the coatings 9 are finished in principle.
[43] In order to prevent the coating liquid itself from penetrating the pores 8 of the membrane contactors 2, the method as shown comprises a step of wetting the pores 8 previous to applying the coating liquid to the membrane contactors 2. In order to do so, the membrane module 13 is connected to a wetting circuit, the latter comprising a wetting agent reservoir 19, a circulation pump 20 and connection pipes 21. The wetting agent 22 is delivered to the combination device 11 and distributed from there to the membrane contactors 2. The wetting agent 22 then penetrates the pores 8 of the membrane contactors 2, wherein it is not essential whether this penetration takes places from the absorber side 4 or the medium side 3 of the membrane contactors 2. In other words, it is of secondary importance if the wetting agent 22 is fed to the interior spaces of the membrane contactors 2 or the ring space of the membrane module 13. A wetted condition of the membrane contactors 2 is pictured in Figure 5 of the present application.
[44] After wetting the pores 8, the wetting agent 22 "blocks" said pores 8 and thereby prevents their penetration by the coating liquid. The coating liquid is then delivered to the membrane module 13 only after at least a first wetting of the pores 8 has taken place. Preferably, feeding the membrane module 13 with the wetting agent 22 is held up during the application of the coating liquid, such that the coating liquid cannot displace the wetting agent 22 throughout the process. [45] After the coating of the membrane contactors 2 is finished, the wetting agent 22 is, too, drained from the membrane module 13, thereby leaving behind the membrane contactors 2 with their coating 9 as pictured in Figure 7.

Claims

Claims
1. Apparatus (1) for extraction of at least one gas from a gaseous medium flow,
comprising
- at least one membrane contactor (2) containing at least one hollow fiber membrane, the membrane contactor (2) having a medium side (3) and an absorber side (4) which is situated opposite to the medium side (3),
- at least one housing (5) which is impermeable at least to liquids, the membrane contactor (2) extending inside the housing,
- at least one medium pipe (6) for supplying an untreated medium flow to the medium side (3) of the membrane contactor (2) and for discharging a treated medium flow away from the membrane contactor (2),
- at least one absorber pipe (7) for supplying an absorption liquid to the absorber side (4) of the membrane contactor (2) and discharging said absorption liquid away from said membrane contactor (2), respectively,
wherein the membrane contactor (2) comprises a plurality of pores (8), which permit at least the one gas to be extracted from the medium flow to pass through the membrane contactor (2) from its medium side (3) to its absorber side (4), the membrane contactor (2) otherwise being arranged in such a way that a fluidic connection between its medium side (3) and its absorber side (4) is prevented,
wherein the membrane contactor (2) is provided with a coating (9) on at least either one of its sides (3, 4), the coating (9) preventing a direct contact of the absorption liquid with the gaseous medium flow, characterized in that the membrane contactor (2) is made from a hydrophilic material.
2. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the membrane contactor (2) is made from a polysulfone, in particular from polysulfone or polyethersulfone, or from polyamide.
3. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coating (9) interacts with the absorption side (4) of the membrane contactor (2), thereby preventing a direct contact of the absorption liquid with the absorber side (4).
4. Apparatus (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the coating (9) comprises a plurality of layers, which - considered in radial direction relative to the membrane contactor (2) - are situated on top of each other, preferably directly on top of each other.
5. Apparatus (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the coating is made from polyaniline (PANI), polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) or a siloxane based synthetic, preferably polydimethylsiloxane.
6. Apparatus (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a thickness (10) of the coating (9) as measured from the absorber side (4) of the membrane contactor (2) and in a radial direction away from the membrane contactor (2) is at maximum 150 μηι, preferably at maximum 50 μηι, more preferably at maximum 20 μηι.
7. Method for the manufacturing of an apparatus (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein said apparatus (1) comprises a plurality of membrane contactors (2) made from hollow fiber membranes, the membrane contactors (2) being combined by means of combination devices (1 1 , 12) on their one ends and their other ends, respectively, and together form a membrane module (13), the membrane module (13) further comprising a housing (5) which is impermeable at least to liquids, wherein the membrane contactors (2) extend inside the housing (5), the method comprising the following steps:
a) At least one coating liquid is fed to the medium sides (3) and/or the absorber sides (4) of the membrane contactors (2).
b) During a coating period, the coating liquid is continuously guided alongside the membrane contactors (2), preferably by flowing from one of the combination devices (11) through the membrane module (13) to the other combination device (12).
c) At the end of the coating period, the coating liquid is drained from the membrane module (13) and the membrane contactors (2) are dried.
8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that at least before the coating period, preferably further during the coating period, a wetting agent is fed to the membrane contactors (2), wherein the wetting agent interacts with the pores (8) of the membrane contactors (2) to the effect that a penetration of the coating liquid inside the pores (8) is prevented.
9. Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the coating liquid is circulated in a coating circuit, the coating circuit comprising 5 a connection pipe (16), a circulation pump (15) and a coating liquid reservoir (14), wherein the connection pipe (16) is connected to both combination devices (11 , 12) to form the coating circuit together with the membrane module (13).
10. Method according to one of the claims 7 to 9, characterized in that after drainage of the coating liquid, the membrane contactors (2) are fed with a drying medium, in particular with air.
11. Method according to one of the claims 7 to 10, characterized in that after drainage of the coating liquid, in particular after drying of the membrane contactors (2), the membrane contactors (2) are charged with curing means, in particular with UV radiation, temperature and/or pressure.
PCT/IB2017/054904 2016-08-15 2017-08-11 Apparatus for extraction of a gas from a gaseous medium flow and method for manufacturing the same WO2018033838A1 (en)

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