JPH0133143Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention relates to a selective gas permeable membrane module, and particularly relates to a connection structure between the module and a vacuum pump when the module is driven by a vacuum pump.

A selective gas permeation module is a structure that essentially consists of a part that has a selective gas permeation membrane and a part that collects the permeated gas that has passed through the permeation membrane. For example, air (oxygen 21
%, a mixture of 79% nitrogen) is collected through a selective gas permeable membrane, and in the permeated gas, more oxygen permeates through the selective permeable membrane, producing so-called oxygen-enriched air. It has a function.

The oxygen-enriched air obtained is a useful gas that is widely used as combustion air, sludge treatment air, and the like. The enriched gas obtained by selectively concentrating a gas from a gas mixture through a selective gas permeable membrane module often requires a considerable flow rate in practice, and accordingly, the required selectivity is Gas permeable membranes are required to have high permeability and a large area. For this reason, attempts have generally been made to configure a pump system by connecting a plurality of modules in parallel. In this case, the modules are usually stacked one on top of the other, and the permeate gas collection ports are collected and taken out as a single pipe, which is firmly connected to the pump system by a flange or the like. In particular, the above method is an excellent method for gas separation where airtightness is required.

However, in the unlikely event that a part of the stacked modules is damaged or deteriorated, replacing it requires the inconvenience of having to stop the operation of the entire device, disassemble the stacked modules, and take them out. do. Furthermore, when the flow rate increases, the flow velocity in the takeout pipe increases, often resulting in pressure loss.

The present invention improves these drawbacks and provides an improved permeable membrane module that allows any module to be easily taken out independently at any time and prevents pressure loss.

That is, in the present invention, in a selective gas permeable membrane module having a selective gas permeable membrane on the surface, the gas collecting section for taking out the selectively permeated gas is composed of a slit structure provided in a part of the outer periphery of the module, and the module is This is a selective gas permeable membrane module that is combined with a vacuum pump piping that is airtightly fitted into the slit structure, and that can be attached or detached at will.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1a, numeral 4 indicates a selective gas permeable membrane module, one end of which has a cylindrical convex shape, and a slit 1 cut in the center thereof.
The gas that has permeated through the membrane 3 passes through the inside of the module 4 and is taken out through the slit 1. dent 2
is an auxiliary groove dug to maintain airtightness, and may or may not be present.

FIG. 1b shows the socket for the module 4. The inside of the socket 5 is hollow, and a passageway connected to a vacuum pump is formed. 8 is module 4
This is a recess into which the module 4 is fitted, and is recessed in the same shape as the cylindrical convex portion at the tip of the module 4. A slit 6 is formed at the tip, and the slit 6 is connected to the cavity.

FIG. 1c shows the module 4 fitted into the socket 5. An elastic body 7 such as a rubber rod is provided on the side wall of the recess 8 of the socket 5, and when the module 4 is fitted into the recess 8, the elastic body 7 is fitted into the recess 2 at the tip of the module, creating an airtight seal. Fit together. At this time, the slit 1 of the module 4 and the slit 6 of the socket 5 are aligned, and the gas passage in the module 4 and the gas passage in the socket 5 are connected via the slits 1 and 6.

When the pressure on the socket 5 side is reduced in the state shown in FIG. In this state, the enriched gas that has passed through the gas permeable membrane 3 of the module 4 passes from the gas passage inside the module 4, passes through the slits 1 and 6, and reaches the inside of the socket 5, where it is guided to the vacuum pump and collected. When the reduced pressure in the socket 5 is released, the airtightness is released and the module 4 can be easily removed from the socket 5.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the module, in which the gas collecting section is shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped, and a slit 1 is formed on the tip surface thereof. In this case, a recess 8 having a shape corresponding to a rectangular parallelepiped shape may be formed in the socket.

Similarly, the shape of this fitting part can be modified in various ways, in short, a slit-shaped gas passage is formed in a part of the outer periphery of the module, and the shape is such that it fits with the module part in which the slit is formed. However, the socket may be formed so as to have a slit at a position corresponding to the slit upon fitting.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a large number of modules 4 are attached to one socket 5, and each module 4 is attached to the socket 5.
is connected to the vacuum pump system. As a result of operating the decompression pump with this configuration and performing a depressurization test, it was found that when the degree of decompression reached at least -450 mmHg or higher, this fitting part was in an optimal state and no gas leaked from the connection part. Nakatsuta.

As described above, the present invention forms a slit in a part of the outer periphery of a selective gas permeable membrane module having a selective gas permeable membrane on its surface, and allows the enriched gas that has passed through the selective gas permeable membrane to flow through the slit. In particular, by forming a recess in which the gas collection part of the module is airtightly fitted into the socket connected to the vacuum pump piping, the module can be attached and detached at will, and there is almost no pressure loss. This greatly simplifies assembly and repair.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1a is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the selective gas permeable membrane module according to the present invention, FIG. 1b is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of the socket of the module in FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the selective gas permeable membrane module according to the present invention; FIG.
The figure is a perspective view showing a state in which a large number of selective gas permeable membrane modules according to the present invention are installed. 1, 6...Slit, 3...Selective gas permeable membrane, 4...Selective gas permeable membrane module, 5...
Socket, 8... recess.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] It has a selective gas permeable membrane on its surface, and a part of the outer periphery of the frame that supports this membrane has a slit structure for taking out the selectively permeated gas. A selective gas permeable membrane module characterized by having a structure that is airtightly fitted with a connected socket and is detachable.