JP6907612B2 - Separation Membrane Module and Membrane Separation System - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a separation membrane module used for separating a part of components from a fluid such as a solution or a mixed gas, and particularly to a separation membrane module in which a plurality of tubular separation membranes are installed in a housing. The present invention also relates to a membrane separation system including this separation membrane module.

Separation membrane modules are known as devices for separating components in a solution or a mixed gas. The tubular separation membrane used for this separation membrane module has a tubular porous ceramic support and a porous separation membrane made of zeolite or the like provided on the outer peripheral surface of the support. In order to separate a specific component from a fluid such as a solution or a mixed gas, the fluid of the solution is brought into contact with one (outer surface) of the separation membrane element and the other (inner surface) is depressurized to release the specific component. A method of vaporizing and separating, a method of vaporizing a solution and bringing it into contact with a separation membrane in a gaseous state, depressurizing the non-contact surface side to separate a specific component, or bringing a pressurized mixed gas into contact with the separation membrane. A method for separating a specific component is known (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Patent Document 3 describes a tubular housing and a plurality of separation membrane modules arranged in the housing as a separation membrane module in which a tubular separation membrane unit in which a plurality of tubular separation membranes are integrated can be easily taken in and out of the housing. In a separation membrane module having the above-mentioned tubular separation membrane, the fluid to be treated is supplied into the housing, and the fluid that has passed through the tubular separation membrane is taken out, a plurality of tubular separation membranes are integrated into a separation membrane unit. The housing is provided with an opening / closing portion that can be opened / closed, and the separation membrane unit can be taken in / out via the opening / closing portion.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-39546 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-152507 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-155097

The present invention provides a separation membrane module in which a tubular separation membrane unit in which a plurality of tubular separation membranes are integrated can be taken in and out of a housing extremely easily, and a membrane separation system including the separation membrane module. The purpose.

The gist of the present invention is as follows.
[1] A tubular housing with the axial direction of the cylinder in the vertical direction and
It has a plurality of tubular separation membranes arranged in the vertical direction in the housing, and has a plurality of tubular separation membranes.
In the separation membrane module, in which the fluid to be treated is supplied into the housing and the fluid that has passed through the tubular separation membrane is taken out.
Multiple tubular separation membranes are integrated into a separation membrane unit.
An opening / closing part that can be opened / closed is provided on the upper part of the housing.
The separation membrane unit can be taken in and out through the opening / closing portion.
A support seat is provided on the lower inner peripheral surface of the housing, and the separation membrane unit is in contact with the support seat from above.
A separation membrane module characterized in that a dovetail groove is provided around the lower surface of the separation membrane unit, and a seal ring held by the dovetail groove is in close contact with the upper surface of the support seat.
[2] In [1], an end tube is connected to one end of the tubular separation membrane, and the end tube is connected.
The end tube is supported by a support plate installed so as to cross the housing.
On the other end side of the tubular separation membrane, a baffle connected to the support plate via a rod-shaped connecting member is arranged.
A separation membrane module characterized in that a hanging member is provided on the baffle or a support plate.
[3] The separation membrane module according to [2], wherein the opening / closing portion is a top cover provided on the upper part of the housing.
[4] The separation membrane module according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein a pressing means for pressing the separation membrane unit downward is provided.
[5] In [4], the pressing means includes a bracket detachably attached to the inner peripheral surface of the upper surface of the housing, and a bolt provided on the bracket so as to be screwable in the vertical direction. A separation membrane module characterized in that the lower end of the bolt is pressed against the upper surface of the separation membrane unit.
[6] In [5], the separation membrane module is characterized in that the pressing means is a spring interposed between the opening / closing portion and the upper surface of the separation membrane unit in a stored force state.
[7] A membrane separation system in which a plurality of separation membrane modules according to any one of [1] to [6] are installed, and a crane facility capable of lifting and suspending the separation membrane unit of each separation membrane module is provided. Membrane separation system provided.

In the separation membrane module and the membrane separation system of the present invention, since a plurality of tubular separation membranes are integrated into a separation membrane unit, the cylindrical housing is arranged in the vertical direction and the separation membrane unit is operated by a crane. The separation membrane module can be constructed by suspending and inserting the separation membrane module into the housing. According to the present invention, the separation membrane module can be easily and quickly assembled even if the number of tubular separation membranes is large. Further, since the separation membrane unit can be lifted from the housing and taken out, the separation membrane module can be easily repaired.

It is sectional drawing which follows the direction of the housing axis of the separation membrane module which concerns on embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. It is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an end tube and a support plate. It is a perspective view of the second baffle. It is a perspective view of the upper part of a housing. It is an enlarged sectional view of a part of a housing. It is sectional drawing which shows the assembly method of the separation membrane module. It is an enlarged sectional view of the upper part of the separation membrane module. It is an enlarged sectional view of the upper part of the separation membrane module which concerns on another embodiment. It is a flow chart of a membrane separation system. It is a top view of the membrane separation system.

The separation membrane module according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

The separation membrane module 1 is provided in a cylindrical housing 2 whose axial direction is vertical, a plurality of tubular separation membranes 3 arranged in a direction parallel to the axial center line of the housing 2, and a lower portion inside the housing 2. The support plate 5 is attached, the bottom cover 6A attached to the lower end of the housing 2 and the top cover 6B attached to the upper end, and the first one arranged in the lower part and the upper part in the housing 2 in parallel with the support plate 5. It has a baffle (rectifying plate) 7, a second baffle (rectifying plate) 8, and the like. The first baffle 7 is arranged above the support plate 5. Further, although not shown in the figure, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-155095, a mechanism for preventing vibration of the tubular separation membrane 3 may be provided above the baffle 8.

In this embodiment, outwardly facing flanges 2a, 2b, 6b, 6c are provided on the lower and upper end sides of the housing 2 and the outer peripheral edges of the bottom cover 6A and the top cover 6B, respectively, and these are fixed by bolts (not shown). Has been done. In this embodiment, the top cover 6B constitutes the opening / closing portion.

The peripheral edge of the support plate 5 is supported by a support seat 2t provided around the inner peripheral surface of the housing 2. As shown in FIG. 7, on the lower surface of the peripheral edge of the support plate 5, a dovetail groove (groove whose width on the inlet side is smaller than that on the back side) 5h is provided so as to circulate along the outer peripheral edge of the support plate 5 and O The ring 5r is housed. Sealing is performed by the lower end of the O-ring 5r looking out from the entrance of the dovetail groove 5h and coming into close contact with the upper surface of the support seat 2t.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a guide ridge 2c is provided so as to extend from the upper end of the inner peripheral surface of the housing 2 to the vicinity of the support plate 2t. The ridge 2c extends in a direction parallel to the axis of the housing 2. A total of two ridges 2c are provided at opposite positions across the axial center of the housing 2, but even if there is only one ridge, a total of three ridges 2c are provided at three or four equal parts in the circumferential direction of the housing 2, respectively. Articles or 4 articles may be provided. Further, instead of the ridge 2c, a notch-shaped recess (guide dent) is extended on the inner peripheral surface of the housing 2 in a direction parallel to the axis, and the peripheral portion of the support plate 5 and the baffles 7 and 8 is covered with the protrusion. A convex portion that engages with the recess may be provided.

Notch-shaped recesses that engage with the ridges 2c are provided on the peripheral edges of the support plate 5 and the baffles 7 and 8. FIGS. 5 and 7 show the baffle 8 and the notch-shaped recesses 8c and 5f of the support plate 5. Although not shown, the notch-shaped recess of the baffle 7 has the same shape.

In this embodiment, the end tube 4 is connected to the lower end of the tubular separation membrane 3, and the end plug 20 is connected to the upper end of the tubular separation membrane 3. Although only seven tubular separation membranes are shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a large number of tubular separation membranes are actually provided as shown in FIG. Further, two or more tubular separation membranes 3 may be formed as a tubular separation membrane connector in which two or more tubular separation membranes 3 are connected by a joint tube (not shown).

An inflow port 9 for the fluid to be processed is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion of the housing 2, and an outflow port 10 for the impermeable fluid is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion. The inflow port 9 is provided so as to face the chamber 11 between the support plate 5 and the first baffle 7. The outlet 10 is provided so as to face the upper chamber 12 of the second baffle 8. The space between the baffles 7 and 8 is the main chamber 13 for membrane separation. In the figure, the inflow port 10 is arranged at the upper part and the outflow port 9 is arranged at the lower part, but the present invention is not particularly limited. Further, the positions of the inflow port 10 and the outflow port 9 may be exchanged.

A plurality of tie rods 14 are erected from the bottom support plate 5 as rod-shaped connecting members, and the baffles 7 and 8 are supported by the tie rods 14. A male screw is engraved on the lower end of the tie rod 14, and is screwed into a female screw hole provided on the upper surface of the support plate 5. The baffles 7 and 8 are supported at a predetermined height by sheath tubes 14A and 14B (FIG. 4) fitted on the tie rod 14. The sheath tube 14A is arranged between the support plate 5 and the baffle 7. The sheath tube 14B is arranged between the baffles 7 and 8. The baffle 8 is mounted on the upper end surface of the sheath tube 14B and is fixed by a nut 14n screwed to the upper end of the tie rod 14. The number of baffles is not limited to this embodiment, and three or more baffles may be used.
Further, instead of using a sheath tube, a round bar provided with male threads at both ends may be screwed into the female thread holes of the support plate 5 to stand, and then the baffle 7 may be arranged on the stepped surface at the other end of the round bar. The length of the male screw arranged on the baffle 7 side is longer than the thickness of the baffle 7, and after the baffle 7 is arranged, the end of the screw portion protrudes from the upper part of the baffle 7. Another round bar having a female thread / male thread at the end can be screwed into the male threaded portion protruding above the upper portion, and can be used as a substitute for the sheath tube 14B. The round bar has high strength, and the separation membrane unit can be assembled more firmly than the sheath tube. A part of the round bar may be cut parallel to the axial direction in order to facilitate screwing and to easily apply a spanner or the like. When fixing the baffle, it may be fixed with a net or the like, and a round bar having a screw portion may be arranged.

The baffles 7 and 8 are provided with circular insertion holes 7a and 8a for inserting the tubular separation membrane 3, and the connecting body of the tubular separation membrane 3, the end tube 4 and the end plug 20 is provided with the insertion holes 7a. , 8a. The diameters of the insertion holes 7a and 8a are larger than the diameters (outer diameters) of the tubular separation membrane 3, the end tube 4 and the end plug 20, and the inner peripheral surfaces of the insertion holes 7a and 8a and the end tube 4 and the end plug 20. There is a gap around the entire circumference with the outer peripheral surface.

As shown in FIG. 5, a single number or a plurality of eyebolts 8d (two in this embodiment) are provided on the upper surface of the baffle 8. The eyebolt may be connected to the upper part of the tie rod 14.

As shown in FIG. 9, a bracket 41 is detachably attached to the upper inner peripheral surface of the housing 2 by bolts 42 in order to press the baffle 8 from above. The bracket 41 has a vertical wall portion 41a along the inner peripheral surface of the housing 2 and an overhanging portion 41b that projects horizontally from the vertical wall portion 41a toward the center of the housing 2. The bolt 42 is inserted into a bolt insertion hole (reference numeral omitted) provided in the vertical wall portion 41a, and is screwed into a female screw hole on the inner peripheral surface of the housing 2.

A female screw hole (reference numeral omitted) is provided in the overhanging portion 41b in the vertical direction, and a bolt 43 is screwed into the female screw hole. The bolt 43 is rotated forward and screwed until its lower end abuts on the upper surface of the baffle 8 and the O-ring 5r is strongly pressed against the upper surface of the support seat 2t. As a result, the upper surface of the support seat 2t and the lower surface of the outer peripheral portion of the support plate 5 are tightly sealed. An elastic body such as rubber may be interposed between the lower end of the bolt 43 and the upper surface of the baffle 8.

The bracket 41 is preferably an annular body that orbits the inner circumference of the housing 2, but a plurality of brackets 41 may be arranged on the inner circumference of the housing 2 in the circumferential direction.

An insertion hole 5a into which the lower end of the end tube 4 connected to the tubular separation membrane 3 is inserted is provided on the upper surface side of the support plate 5. The insertion hole 5a has a cylindrical shape and extends from the upper surface of the support plate 5 to the middle in the thickness direction. The bottom of the insertion hole 5a faces the outflow chamber 16 on the lower side of the support plate 5 via the small hole 5b and the large hole 5c.

The pipe hole 4a of each end pipe 4 communicates with the outflow chamber 16 between the bottom cover 6A and the support plate 5 via the small hole 5b and the large hole 5c. The bottom cover 6A is provided with a separated permeation fluid outlet 6a.

Although not shown, a groove is provided on the outer peripheral surface near the lower end of the end tube 4, and an O-ring made of fluororubber, fluororesin, or the like is attached. Further, a groove concentric with the tube hole 4a of the end tube 4 is provided around the lower end surface of the end tube 4, and an O-ring is attached. By bringing these O-rings into close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole and the bottom surface of the insertion hole 5a, the outer surface of the end tube 4 and the insertion hole 5a are sealed. Only one of the O-ring on the outer peripheral surface and the O-ring on the lower end surface of the end pipe 4 may be provided.

As shown in FIG. 4, the upper end portion of the end tube 4 has a small diameter portion of 4 g, and is inserted into the lower portion of the tubular separation membrane 3. An O-ring is mounted in a groove provided around the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 4 g. Further, an O-ring or a gasket is interposed between the lower end surface of the tubular separation membrane 3 and the stepped surface of the end tube 4. The connection portion between the end tube 4 and the tubular separation membrane 3 may be sealed by using a heat-shrinkable tube without using the above-mentioned O-ring or the like, or by using an O-ring or the like and further heat-shrinking. A tube may be used.

The end plug 20 is connected to the upper end of the tubular separation membrane 3. The end plug 20 has a columnar shape or a shape obtained by cutting a part of the columnar shape, and seals the upper end of the tubular separation membrane 3. At the lower end of the end plug 20, a small diameter portion inserted into the tubular separation membrane 3 is provided. The end plug 20 and the tubular separation membrane 3 are sealed by an O-ring or a gasket. Further, the end plug 20 and the tubular separation membrane 3 may be sealed by using a heat-shrinkable tube without using an O-ring, or a heat-shrinkable tube may be further used in addition to using an O-ring or the like. ..

In order to reduce the weight of the end plug 20, a recess 20v is provided from the upper end surface of the end plug 20. A drain hole for communicating the bottom of the recess 20v and the side peripheral surface of the end plug 20 may be provided.

In this embodiment, since the end plug 20 is arranged on the upper end side of the tubular separation membrane 3, a load is applied to the tubular separation membrane 3, the end plug 20, and the end tube 4 in a direction in which their end faces are pressed against each other. Is hanging.

However, in the present invention, the end tube 4 and the support plate 5 may be arranged on the upper end side of the tubular separation membrane 3, and the end plug 20 may be arranged on the lower end side of the tubular separation membrane 3. In this case, by providing an urging member such as a spring for urging the end plug 20 upward, the end faces thereof are pressed against the tubular separation membrane 3, the end plug 20, and the end pipe 4. It is preferable to apply a load. Further, in this case, the eyebolt 8d is provided on the surface of the support plate 5 opposite to the tubular separation membrane 3.

In this embodiment, the lower end of the end tube 4 of the connecting body of the tubular separation membrane 3, the end tube 4 and the end plug 20 is inserted into the insertion hole 5a provided in the support plate 5, and the tubular separation membrane 3 and the end are inserted. The connecting body of the pipe 4 and the end plug 20 is erected on the support plate 5. The end pipe 4 and the support plate 5 can be easily connected in an airtight or liquid-tight manner simply by inserting the lower end portion of the end pipe 4 into the insertion hole 5a. Further, since the insertion hole 5a is cylindrical, the work of drilling the insertion hole 5a in the support plate 5 is easy, and the support plate 5 can be easily manufactured. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the manufacturing period of the separation membrane module and reduce the manufacturing cost.

In this embodiment, a separation membrane unit 30 (FIG. 8) in which a connecting body of a tubular separation membrane 3, an end plug 20, and an end tube 4, a support plate 5, and baffles 7 and 8 are integrated by a tie rod 14 is provided. It is hung on a wire rope 32 and can be taken in and out of the housing 2.

When assembling the separation membrane unit 30, the tie rod 14 is erected on the support plate 5. Further, the connecting body of the tubular separation membrane 3, the end plug 20 and the end tube 4 is erected by inserting the lower end of the end tube 4 into the insertion hole 5a of the support plate 5. A sheath tube 14A is fitted in the tie rod 14. Next, the baffle 7 is placed on the sheath tube 14A while passing through the tie rod 14 and the connecting body from above, and then the sheath tube 14B is fitted into the tie rod 14 from above. Next, the baffle 8 is passed through the tie rod 14 and the connecting body from above and placed on the sheath tube 14B. Then, the nut 14n is tightened to the upper end of the tie rod 14. As a result, a separation membrane unit 30 (FIG. 8) in which the tubular separation membrane 3, the end plug 20, the end tube 4, the support plate 5, and the baffles 7 and 8 are integrated by the tie rod 14 is configured. ..

The bracket 41 is left in a state of being removed from the housing 2.

The separation membrane unit 30 is lifted by hanging the wire rope 32 on the eyebolt 8d of the baffle 8 of the separation membrane unit 30. The lifted separation membrane unit 30 is gradually lowered toward the inside of the housing 2, the ridges 2c and the recesses 8c and the like are aligned and engaged, and then the separation membrane unit 30 is further lowered to support the support seat 2t. Place on top. Then, the wire rope 32 is removed. Next, the bracket 41 is fixed to the upper inner peripheral surface of the housing 2 with a bolt 42, then the bolt 43 is rotated in the normal direction and screwed downward, and the lower end thereof is pressed against the upper surface of the baffle 8 to lower the entire separation membrane unit 30. Press on. As a result, the space between the support plate 5 and the support seat 2t is sealed. After that, the separation membrane module 1 is configured by mounting the top flange 6B on the housing 2.

In the separation membrane module 1 configured in this way, the fluid to be treated is introduced into the chamber 11 of the housing 2 from the inflow port 9 and between the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 7a of the baffle 7 and the outer peripheral surface of the end pipe 4. It flows into the main chamber 13 through the gap of the main chamber 13, and after passing through the main chamber 13, flows out to the chamber 12 through the gap between the insertion hole 8a of the baffle 8 and the end plug 20. While flowing through the main chamber 13, some components of the fluid to be treated permeate through the tubular separation membrane 3 and are taken out from the tubular separation membrane 3 via the outflow chamber 16 and the outlet 6a. The fluid that has not permeated flows out of the separation membrane module 1 from the outlet 10.

At the start of operation of the separation membrane module 1, it is preferable to gradually increase the opening degree of the supply valve of the fluid to be treated so that the supply pressure of the fluid to be treated into the separation membrane module 1 is gradually increased.

The flow in the main chamber 13 and the flow in the tubular separation membrane 3 may be parallel or countercurrent, and the inflow port 9 and the outflow port 10 of the fluid to be treated may be interchanged.

In this embodiment, a large number of tubular separation membranes 3 are arranged in parallel, and the membrane area is large, so that membrane separation can be performed efficiently.

In this embodiment, the end tube 4 and the end plug 20 connected to the upper and lower ends of the tubular separation membrane 3 are inserted into the insertion holes 7a and 8a of the baffles 7 and 8, respectively. Therefore, even if the tubular separation membrane 3 vibrates or swings and the end tube 4 and the end plug 20 come into contact with the inner peripheral surfaces of the insertion holes 7a and 8a, the zeolite membrane is not damaged and stable operation is performed for a long period of time. It can be performed.

When one or a small number of tubular separation membranes 3 are damaged in the separation membrane module 1, the fluid to be treated flows into the tubular separation membrane 3 and is mixed with the permeated fluid. When such damage to the tubular separation membrane occurs, after stopping the inflow of the fluid to be processed into the housing 2, the top cover 6B is removed from the housing 2, the bracket 41 is removed, and the wire rope 32 is an eyebolt. The separation membrane unit 30 can be lifted from the housing 2 and repaired by hanging it on 8d. It may be replaced with a new tubular separation membrane unit.

In the above embodiment, the separation membrane unit 30 is pressed downward by the bracket 41 and the bolt 43, but as shown in FIG. 10, the spring 50 is interposed between the top cover 6B and the baffle 8 in a stored state. The separation membrane unit 30 may be pressed downward by allowing the separation membrane unit 30 to be pressed downward. In FIG. 10, a guide rod 51 is vertically installed downward from the lower surface of the top cover 6B, and a coil spring 50 is wound around the guide rod 51. The lower end of the coil spring 50 extends below the guide rod 51, and the lower end of the coil spring 50 is in contact with the upper surface of the baffle 8.

Although the guide rod 51 is vertically hung from the top cover 6B in FIG. 10, it may be erected above the baffle 8.

This separation membrane module 1 is suitable for being applied to a membrane separation system in which a plurality of separation membrane modules 1 are installed in parallel or a plurality of rows of series connections of the separation membrane modules 1 are arranged side by side.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of a membrane separation system in which a plurality of rows of series-connected bodies of the separation membrane modules 1 are arranged side by side. In FIG. 11, series connectors 100, 200, and 300 of the separation membrane module 1 are provided. Each series connection body 100 to 300 is formed by connecting four separation membrane modules 101 to 104, 201 to 204, and 301 to 304 in series, respectively. All of these separation membrane modules 101 to 304 have the same configuration as the above-mentioned separation membrane module 1.

In the series connection 100, the fluid to be treated is supplied to the separation membrane module 101 of the first stage, the non-permeable fluid is introduced into the separation membrane module 102 of the second stage, and the non-permeable fluid is introduced. It is introduced into the separation membrane module 103 of the third stage, its impermeable fluid is introduced into the separation membrane module 104 of the fourth stage, and the impermeable fluid flows out through the pipe 400. The permeated fluid of each separation membrane module 101 to 104 is taken out through the pipe 410. The same processing can be performed on the series connectors 200 and 300.

In this embodiment, a part of the series connecting bodies, for example, the series connecting body 300 is used as a spare line, and processing is performed by the other series connecting bodies 100 and 200. For example, the tubular separation membrane 3 is damaged in the series connecting body 100. When it occurs, the supply of the fluid to be processed to the series connection body 100 is stopped, and instead, the fluid to be processed is supplied to the series connection body 300 for processing, and the series connection body 100 is damaged during that time. Repair the separation membrane module. In this way, even if some of the separation membrane modules are damaged, the operation of the entire membrane separation system can be stably continued.

In FIG. 11, three series of series connectors 100, 200, and 300 are shown, but two or four series or more may be used. Further, the number of separation membrane modules constituting one series connection may not be shown. One separation membrane module may be installed instead of the series connector. Further, in each module of FIG. 11, the fluid to be processed is introduced from the lower part of the module and discharged from the upper part. However, the fluid to be processed to be introduced into the module may be either upper or lower, depending on the layout of the factory. It can be designed freely. For example, when a plurality of modules are connected and used, the fluid to be processed to be introduced into the module may be in the order of top, bottom, top, or the like.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the membrane separation system of FIG. 11 in which the separation membrane unit 30 can be taken in and out by one crane facility 500.

The separation membrane module series connectors 100, 200, and 300 are arranged in a line on the factory space. Rails 501 and 502 are provided in the Y direction of FIG. 12, and the piers 503 and 504 can self-propell on the rails 501 and 502 in the Y direction. A boom 505 composed of a pair of rails is erected between the upper ends of the piers 503 and 504, and the trolley 506 can self-propell on the boom 505 in the X direction. A wire hoist (not shown) is installed on the trolley 506. The trolley 506 is positioned above any of the separation membrane modules 101 to 304, and the separation membrane unit 30 can be lifted and suspended.

Hereinafter, suitable materials and the like of each member constituting the separation membrane module of the present invention will be described.

Examples of the material of the end tube 4 and the end plug 20 include those that do not allow fluid to permeate, such as metal, ceramics, and resin, but the material is not limited thereto. The materials of the baffles 7 and 8 and the joint pipe are usually metal materials such as stainless steel, but are not particularly limited as long as they have heat resistance and supply under separation conditions and resistance to permeation components. The material can be changed to.

The tubular separation membrane 3 preferably has a tubular porous support and a zeolite membrane as an inorganic separation membrane formed on the outer peripheral surface of the porous support. The material of this tubular porous support is an inorganic porous body of a ceramics sintered body or a metal sintered body containing silica, α-alumina, γ-alumina, mullite, zirconia, titania, itria, silicon nitride, silicon carbide and the like. Quality support can be mentioned. Among them, an inorganic porous support containing at least one of alumina, silica and mullite is preferable. The average pore diameter of the surface of the porous support is not particularly limited, but the pore diameter is preferably controlled, and is usually 0.02 μm or more, preferably 0.05 μm or more, and more preferably 0.1 μm. As described above, the range is usually 20 μm or less, preferably 10 μm or less, and more preferably 5 μm or less.

Zeolites are crystallized on the surface of the porous support to form a zeolite membrane.
The main zeolite constituting the zeolite membrane usually contains a zeolite having an oxygen 6-10 membered ring structure, and preferably contains a zeolite having an oxygen 6-8 membered ring structure.

The value of n of the zeolite having an oxygen n-membered ring here indicates that the number of oxygen is the largest among the pores composed of oxygen and T element forming the zeolite skeleton. For example, when pores of a 12-membered oxygen ring and an 8-membered ring are present like a MOR-type zeolite, it is regarded as a zeolite having a 12-membered oxygen ring.

To give an example of a zeolite having an oxygen 6-10-membered ring structure, AEI, AEL, AFG, ANA, BRE, CAS, CDO, CHA, DAC, DDR, DOH, EAB, EPI, ESV, EUO, FAR, FRA, FER, GIS, GIU, GOO, HEU, IMF, ITE, ITH, KFI, LEV, LIO, LOS, LTN, MAR, MEP, MER, MEL, MFI, MFS, MON, MSO, MTF, MTN, MTT, MWW, NAT, NES, NON, PAU, PHI, RHO, RRO, RTE, RTH, RUT, SGT, SOD, STF, STI, STT, TER, TOR, TON, TSC, TUN, UFI, VNI, VSV, WEI, YUG, etc. There is.

The zeolite membrane may be a membrane made of zeolite alone or a membrane in which the zeolite powder is dispersed in a binder such as a polymer, or the zeolite is fixed in a film shape on various supports. It may be a zeolite membrane composite. The zeolite membrane may contain a part of amorphous components and the like.

The thickness of the zeolite membrane is not particularly limited, but is usually 0.1 μm or more, preferably 0.6 μm or more, and more preferably 1.0 μm or more. Further, it is usually 100 μm or less, preferably 60 μm or less, and more preferably 20 μm or less.

However, in the present invention, a tubular separation membrane having a separation membrane other than the zeolite membrane may be used.

The outer diameter of the tubular separation membrane 3 is preferably 3 mm or more, more preferably 6 mm or more, still more preferably 10 mm or more, preferably 20 mm or less, more preferably 18 mm or less, still more preferably 16 mm or less. If the outer diameter is too small, the strength of the tubular separation membrane may be insufficient and it may be easily broken, and if it is too large, the membrane area per module decreases.

The length of the portion of the tubular separation membrane 3 covered with the zeolite membrane is preferably 20 cm or more, preferably 200 cm or less.

In the separation membrane module of the present invention, the tubular separation membrane may be a single tube type or a multi-tube type, and usually 1 to 3000 pieces, particularly 50 to 1200 pieces are arranged, and the shortest distance between the tubular separation membranes is 2 mm to 10 mm. It is preferable that they are arranged so as to be. The size of the housing and the number of tubular separation membranes are appropriately changed depending on the amount of fluid to be treated.

In the separation membrane module of the present invention, the fluid to be treated to be separated or concentrated is not particularly limited as long as it is a mixture of a gas or a liquid composed of a plurality of components that can be separated or concentrated by the separation membrane, and any mixture. Although it may be, it is preferable to use it for a mixture of gases.

For separation or concentration, a separation or concentration method called a pervaporation method (osmotic vaporization method) or a vapor permeation method (steam permeation method) can be used. Since the pervaporation method is a separation or concentration method in which a mixture of liquids is directly introduced into a separation membrane, a process including separation or concentration can be simplified.

In the present invention, when the mixture to be separated or concentrated is a mixture of gases composed of a plurality of components, the mixture of gases includes, for example, carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, methane, ethane, ethylene and propane. , Propylene, normal butane, isobutane, 1-butene, 2-butene, isobutene, toluene and other aromatic compounds, sulfur hexafluoride, helium, carbon monoxide, nitrogen monoxide, water, etc. Examples include those containing ingredients. Of the mixture consisting of these gas components, the gas component having a high permeence permeates through the separation membrane and is separated, and the gas component having a low permeence is concentrated on the supply gas side.

1 Separation Membrane Module 2 Housing 2c Guide Convex 3 Tubular Separation Membrane 4 End Tube 5 Support Plate 5h Dovetail Groove 5r O-ring 5f, 8c Notch Recess 6A Bottom Cover 6B Top Cover 6a Outlet 7, 8 Baffle 8d Eyebolt 9 Flow Inlet 10 Outlet 11, 12 chamber 13 Main chamber 14 Tie rod (rod-shaped connecting member)
16 Outflow chamber 20 End plug 30 Separation membrane unit 32 Wire rope 41 Bracket 42, 43 Bolt 50 Coil spring 51 Guide rod 100, 200, 300 Series connection of separation membrane module 500 Crane equipment

Claims (7)

A tubular housing with the central direction of the cylinder in the vertical direction,
It has a plurality of tubular separation membranes arranged in the vertical direction in the housing, and has a plurality of tubular separation membranes.
In the separation membrane module, in which the fluid to be treated is supplied into the housing and the fluid that has passed through the tubular separation membrane is taken out.
Multiple tubular separation membranes are integrated into a separation membrane unit.
An opening / closing part that can be opened / closed is provided on the upper part of the housing.
The separation membrane unit can be taken in and out through the opening / closing portion.
A support seat is provided on the lower inner peripheral surface of the housing, and the separation membrane unit is in contact with the support seat from above.
A separation membrane module characterized in that a dovetail groove is provided around the lower surface of the separation membrane unit, and a seal ring held by the dovetail groove is in close contact with the upper surface of the support seat. In claim 1, an end tube is connected to one end of the tubular separation membrane.
The end tube is supported by a support plate installed so as to cross the housing.
On the other end side of the tubular separation membrane, a baffle connected to the support plate via a rod-shaped connecting member is arranged.
A separation membrane module characterized in that a hanging member is provided on the baffle or a support plate. The separation membrane module according to claim 2, wherein the opening / closing portion is a top cover provided on the upper part of the housing. The separation membrane module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a pressing means for pressing the separation membrane unit downward is provided. In claim 4, the pressing means includes a bracket detachably attached to the inner peripheral surface of the upper surface of the housing and a bolt provided on the bracket so as to be screwable in the vertical direction. A separation membrane module characterized in that the lower end is pressed against the upper surface of the separation membrane unit. The separation membrane module according to claim 4, wherein the pressing means is a spring interposed between the opening / closing portion and the upper surface of the separation membrane unit in a stored force state. A membrane separation system in which a plurality of separation membrane modules according to any one of claims 1 to 6 are installed, and a crane facility capable of lifting and suspending the separation membrane unit of each separation membrane module is provided. Membrane separation system.

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