JP2017113742A - Separation membrane module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a separation membrane module in which slipping out of an end component at the time of back pressure and so on can be prevented.SOLUTION: A separation membrane module has: a cylindrical housing 2; a tabular separation membrane 3 which is located in a longer direction of the housing 2; an end tube 4 which is connected to one end of the tabular separation membrane 3; an end plug 20 which is connected to the other end of the tabular separation membrane; a support plate 5 which supports the end tube 4; and baffles 7, 8 which are located in parallel to the support plate 5, and has insertion holes 7a, 8a into which the tabular separation membrane is inserted. A presser plate 25 is located on an upper side of the end plug 20, and a spring 26 is located between the presser plate 25 and the end plug 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

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.

  A separation membrane module is known as an apparatus for separating components in a solution or mixed gas. The tubular separation membrane used in 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 thereby remove 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, and depressurizing a non-contact surface side to separate a specific component, and bringing a pressurized mixed gas into contact with the separation membrane Methods for separating specific components are known (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  Patent Document 2 describes a structure in which a small-diameter insertion portion of a tubular member is inserted into one end of a tubular zeolite separation membrane, and between the zeolite separation membrane and the tubular member is sealed with a fluororubber O-ring. . The fluid to be treated is supplied to the outside of the zeolite separation membrane, and some components permeate the zeolite separation membrane and flow into the zeolite separation membrane, and are separated from other components and taken out.

  Patent Document 2 describes a structure in which a zeolite separation membrane and a tubular member are attached to each other and the outer periphery of the butt portion is encapsulated with a heat shrink film.

JP 2013-39546 A JP 2011-152507 A

  As in Patent Document 2, in the structure in which the end member is fitted and connected to the end of the zeolite separation membrane, or in a structure in which the end member is butted and encased in a heat shrink film, the zeolite separation is caused for some reason. When the pressure inside the membrane becomes higher than the outside of the zeolite separation membrane, or when a force in the separation direction is applied to the end member from the zeolite separation membrane, the end member may come out of the zeolite separation membrane. .

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a separation membrane module that prevents the end member from slipping out during such back pressure.

The separation membrane module of the present invention has a cylindrical housing and a tubular separation membrane disposed in the housing in the longitudinal direction of the housing, and the fluid to be treated moves from one end side to the other end side in the housing. A separation membrane module in which fluid that has flowed and permeated through a tubular separation membrane is taken out through the tubular separation membrane, and an end tube is connected to one end of the tubular separation membrane, and the end tube crosses the housing In a separation membrane module that is supported by a support plate installed in this manner and has an end plug connected to the other end of the tubular separation membrane, the end plug is prevented from coming out of the tubular separation membrane. It is characterized by having an outage prevention means.
In one aspect of the present invention, the extraction preventing means has a presser plate provided to face the end plug. In this case, it is preferable that the extraction preventing means further includes a spring that is interposed between the pressing plate and the end plug and presses the end plug toward the tubular separation membrane.
In one aspect of the present invention, the extraction preventing means includes a spring that attracts the end plug and the end pipe.

  In the separation membrane module of the present invention, even if a reverse pressure is generated in the tubular separation membrane, the end plug is prevented from coming out of the tubular separation membrane. When the extraction preventing means is composed of a pressing plate and a spring, or when it is composed of a spring that attracts the end plug and the end pipe, the sealing performance of the tubular separation membrane, the end plug, and the end pipe becomes high.

It is sectional drawing which follows the housing axial center line direction of the separation membrane module which concerns on embodiment. It is an enlarged view of the upper part of FIG. It is the III-III sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is an expanded sectional view of an end pipe and a support plate. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 5. It is sectional drawing of the tubular separation membrane coupling body which concerns on another embodiment. It is a flowchart of a separation membrane system. It is a flowchart of a separation membrane system. It is a flowchart of a separation membrane system. It is sectional drawing which follows the housing axial center line direction of the separation membrane module which concerns on embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the upper part of the separation membrane module which shows another embodiment.

  A separation membrane module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The separation membrane module 1 is provided in a cylindrical housing 2 with the cylindrical axis direction being the vertical direction, a tubular separation membrane 3 arranged in a direction parallel to the axial line of the housing 2, and a lower part in the housing 2. A support plate 5, a bottom cover 6 A attached to the lower end of the housing 2, a top cover 6 B attached to the upper end, and a first baffle (disposed in the lower and upper portions of the housing 2 in parallel with the support plate 5). A rectifying plate) 7, a second baffle (rectifying plate) 8, a pressing plate 25, and the like. The first baffle 7 is disposed on the upper side of the support plate 5.

  In this embodiment, outward flanges 2a, 2b, 6b, 6c are provided on the lower and upper ends 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. The peripheral edge of the support plate 5 is sandwiched between the flanges 2a and 6b via a gasket (not shown).

  In this embodiment, the end tube 4 is connected to the lower end of the tubular separation membrane 3. An end plug 20 is connected to the upper end of the tubular separation membrane 3. As the tubular separation membrane 3, two tubular separation membranes 3 may be connected by a joint pipe 17 to form a tubular separation membrane coupled body. 1 to 4, only seven tubular separation membranes are shown, but in reality, one may be used, or a multi-tubular separation membrane provided with a large number (2 to 3000) as shown in FIG. It may be a module.

  A fluid inlet 9 is provided on the lower outer peripheral surface of the housing 2, and a fluid outlet 10 is provided on the upper outer peripheral surface. 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. Between the baffles 7 and 8 is a main chamber 13 for performing membrane separation.

  A plurality of rods 14 are erected from the support plate 5 at the bottom, and the baffles 7 and 8 and the presser plate 25 are supported by the rods 14. A male screw is engraved at the lower end of the rod 14 and is screwed into the female screw hole of the support plate 5. The baffles 7 and 8 and the presser plate 25 are supported at a predetermined height by sheath tubes 14A, 14B and 14C (FIGS. 2 and 5) which are externally fitted to the rod 14. The sheath tube 14 </ b> A is disposed between the support plate 5 and the baffle 7. The sheath tube 14 </ b> B is disposed between the baffles 7 and 8. The sheath tube 14 </ b> C is disposed between the baffle 8 and the presser plate 25. The baffle 8 is placed on the upper end surface of the sheath tube 14B. The presser plate 25 is disposed above the baffle 8, is placed on the upper end surface of the sheath tube 14 </ b> C, and is fixed by a nut 14 n screwed to the upper end of the rod 14.

Seal members such as an O-ring, a V-packing, and a C-ring are interposed between the outer peripheral surfaces of the baffles 7 and 8 and the inner peripheral surface of the housing 2.
In this embodiment, the number of baffles is 2, but 3 or more may be installed.

  Each baffle 7, 8 is provided with circular insertion holes 7 a, 8 a for inserting the tubular separation membrane 3, and a connection body of the tubular separation membrane 3, the end tube 4 and the end plug 20 is provided in each insertion hole 7 a. , 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 between the outer peripheral surface and the entire circumference.

  An insertion hole 5 a 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 communicates with the lower side of the support plate 5 through a small hole 5b and a large hole 5c.

  The tube hole 4a of each end tube 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 an outlet 6a for the separated permeated fluid.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a groove 4b is provided around the outer peripheral surface near the lower end of the end tube 4, and an O-ring 30 made of fluororubber, fluororesin, or the like is attached. In this embodiment, a plurality of grooves 4a are provided.

  Further, a groove 4 c concentric with the tube hole 4 a of the end tube 4 is also provided around the lower end surface of the end tube 4, and an O-ring 31 is mounted. The O-ring 30 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 5a, and the O-ring 31 is in close contact with the bottom surface of the insertion hole 5a, thereby sealing between the outer surface of the end tube 4 and the insertion hole 5a. . Only one of the O-ring 30 on the outer peripheral surface of the end tube 4 and the O-ring 41 on the lower end surface may be provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the upper end portion of the end tube 4 has a small diameter portion 4 g and is inserted into the lower portion of the tubular separation membrane 3. An O-ring 32 is mounted in a groove provided around the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 4g. An O-ring 33 is also interposed between the lower end surface of the tubular separation membrane 3 and the step surface of the end tube 4.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an end plug 20 is connected to the upper end of the upper tubular separation membrane 3. The end plug 20 is cylindrical and seals the upper end of the tubular separation membrane 3. A small diameter portion 21 inserted into the tubular separation membrane 3 is provided at the lower end of the end plug 20. The end plug 20 and the tubular separation membrane 3 are sealed with O-rings 34 and 35. The sealing structure between the end plug 20 and the tubular separation membrane 3 is the same as the sealing structure between the small diameter portion 4 g of the end tube 4 and the tubular separation membrane 3. 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 after using an O-ring.

  A rod 22 is erected upward from the center of the upper end surface of the end plug 20. The presser plate 25 disposed above the end plug 20 is provided with an opening 25a into which the rod 22 is inserted. The diameter of the rod 22 is smaller than the diameter of the opening 25a, and there is a gap between the rod 22 and the inner peripheral surface of the opening 25a. When the diameter of the rod 22 is x, the diameter of the opening 25a is preferably x + 0.02 mm or more, more preferably x + 0.1 mm or more, preferably x + 0.5 mm or less, more preferably x + 0.4 mm or less, and further preferably x + 0. .2 mm or less. By being in this range, the rod 22 can move smoothly, and rattling is unlikely to occur, so that vibration of the tubular separation membrane 3 can be reduced.

  A compression coil spring 26 is interposed between the upper end surface of the end plug 20 and the lower surface of the presser plate 25 so as to surround the rod 22a. The end plug 20 is urged downward by the spring 26. For this reason, even if the internal pressure of the tubular separation membrane 3 rises for some reason and a force is applied in the direction in which the end plug 20 comes out of the tubular separation membrane 3, the end plug 20 is prevented from coming out. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 11, when a plurality of tubular separation membranes 3 are connected via the joint tube 17, the upper tubular separation membrane 3 comes out of the joint tube 17 or the joint tube 17 is lowered. It is also possible to prevent the tubular separation membrane 3 on the side from slipping out.

  When the tubular separation membrane 3 is thermally expanded or contracted, the spring 26 is contracted or expanded following the expansion.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when a plurality of, for example, two tubular separation membranes 3 are connected via a joint pipe 17, the joint pipe 17 has a through-hole penetrating in the tube axis direction. Both end sides (upper end side and lower end side) of the joint pipe 17 are small-diameter portions that are inserted into the tubular separation membrane 3. A groove is provided around the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion, and an O-ring (not shown) is attached. The joint tube 17 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 after using an O-ring.

Moreover, between the small diameter parts of the both ends of the joint pipe 17, it is a large diameter part, and the boundary part of a small diameter part and a large diameter part is a level | step difference surface. An O-ring (not shown) is also interposed between the step surface and the end surface of the tubular separation membrane 3.
Although not shown, when connecting via the joint pipe 17, it is preferable to install a baffle at the position of the joint pipe.

  In order to assemble the separation membrane module 1, for example, the end tube 4, the tubular separation membrane 3, and the end plug 20 are inserted in this order into insertion holes 5 a provided in the support plate 5, and are erected on the support plate 5. The end tube 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 tube 4 into the insertion hole 5a. Moreover, since the insertion hole 5a is cylindrical, the operation | work which drills the insertion hole 5a in the support plate 5 is easy, and manufacture of the support plate 5 is also easy. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the manufacturing period of the separation membrane module and reduce the manufacturing cost.

  After the connection body of the end tube 4, the tubular separation membrane 3 and the end plug 20 is erected on the support plate 5, the presser plate 25 is placed over the spring 26 and the nut 14 n is tightened. Thereafter, the top cover 6B is attached.

  In the separation membrane module 1 configured as described above, the fluid to be treated is introduced into the chamber 11 of the housing 2 from the inlet 9, and between the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 7 a of the baffle 7 and the outer peripheral surface of the end tube 4. Flows into the main chamber 13 through the gap, and flows out into the chamber 12 through the gap between the insertion hole 8 a of the baffle 8 and the end plug 20 after passing through the main chamber 13. While flowing through the main chamber 13, some components of the fluid to be treated permeate the tubular separation membrane 3 and are taken out from the tubular separation membrane 3 through 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.

  In this embodiment, since the end plug 20 is disposed on the upper end side of the tubular separation membrane 3 and is biased downward by the spring 26, the tubular separation membrane 3, the end plug 20, and the end tube 4 are respectively connected to each other. A load is applied in the direction in which the is pressed. Therefore, the sealing property between them is high, and as described above, the end plug 20, the tubular separation membrane 3, and the joint pipe 17 are prevented from coming out when the internal pressure of the tubular separation membrane 3 increases.

  The flow in the main chamber 13 and the flow in the tubular separation membrane 3 may be cocurrent or counterflow, and the inlet 9 and the outlet 10 for the fluid to be processed may be interchanged. Absent.

  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 is performed efficiently.

  In this embodiment, the end tube 4 and the end plug 20 connected to both 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 so that 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 is stably operated over a long period of time. It can be performed.

  In the above embodiment, the tubular separation membrane 3, the end tube 4 and the end plug 20 are sealed with an O-ring, but these may be connected and sealed with a heat shrinkable tube.

  In the above-described embodiment, the spring 26 is used. However, when the interval between the upper end surface of the end plug 20 and the presser plate 25 is reduced, the spring 26 may be omitted. In this case, when the internal pressure of the tubular separation membrane 3 increases and the end plug 20 moves upward, the upper end surface of the end plug 20 hits the presser plate 25 and the end plug 20 is prevented from coming out.

  In the above embodiment, the spring 26 presses the end plug 20, but a spring for attracting the end plug 20 to the end tube 4 may be used. This embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a coupling body of the tubular separation membrane 3, the end tube 4 and the end plug 20 used in this embodiment. In this connection body, the wire 41 is disposed in the tubular separation membrane 3, and the lower end of the wire 41 is connected to the upper end surface of the end tube 4. The lower end of the tension coil spring 42 is connected to the upper end of the wire 41. A hook portion 43 is provided at the upper end of the tension coil spring 42. A hook piece 44 is attached to the lower end surface of the end plug 20, and the hook portion 43 is hooked on the hook piece 44. The end plug 20 and the end tube 4 are elastically attracted by the tensile force of the tension coil spring 42, and the end plug 20 and the tubular separation membrane 3 are prevented from coming off.

  A configuration example of a separation membrane system using a plurality of separation membrane modules 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a separation membrane system in which a plurality of separation membrane modules 1 are installed in parallel. Each separation membrane module 1 is installed in the posture shown in FIG. 1, that is, with the inlet 9 on the lower side and the outlet 10 on the upper side. The fluid to be treated is supplied to the inlet 9 of each separation membrane module 1 through the supply main pipe 50 and a plurality of branch pipes 51 branched therefrom, and subjected to membrane separation treatment, and the permeated fluid passes through the branch pipe 52 and the collecting pipe 53. To be taken out. The non-permeating fluid flows out through the branch pipe 54 and the collecting pipe 55.

  In this separation membrane system, when the tubular separation membrane 3 of some of the separation membrane modules 1 is damaged and the fluid to be treated flows directly into the tubular separation membrane 3 through the damaged portion, the broken separation membrane module As the internal pressure of one tubular separation membrane rises, the internal pressure of the tubular separation membrane 3 of another separation membrane module 1 also rises via the tubes 54 and 55.

  In this embodiment, as described above, even when such a back pressure phenomenon occurs, the end plugs 20 and the like of each separation membrane module 1 do not come out.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a separation membrane system in which a plurality of separation membrane modules 1 are connected in series. Each separation membrane module 1 is installed in the posture shown in FIG. 1, that is, with the inlet 9 on the lower side and the outlet 10 on the upper side. The fluid to be treated is supplied from the supply pipe 56 to the inlet 9 of the separation membrane module 1 on the uppermost stream side, and the non-permeated fluid is supplied from the outlet 10 through the pipe 57 to the inlet of the separation membrane module 1 in the next stage. In the same manner, the non-permeating fluid from each separation membrane module 1 is supplied to the lower separation membrane module 1, and the non-permeating fluid of the final separation membrane module 1 flows out from the pipe 58. The permeated fluid that has permeated the tubular separation membrane 3 of each separation membrane module 1 is taken out via the branch pipe 59 and the collecting pipe 60.

  In the separation membrane system of FIG. 10, a plurality of separation membrane modules 1 are connected in series, and the odd-numbered separation membrane module 1 has the posture shown in FIG. 1, and the even-numbered separation membrane module 1 is the reverse of FIG. This is an inverted posture. That is, in the even-numbered separation membrane module 1, the inlet 9 is located at the top of the separation membrane module 1, and the outlet 10 is located at the bottom of the separation membrane module 1. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG. 9, and the flow of the fluid to be processed, the permeating fluid, and the non-permeating fluid is the same as in FIG. In FIG. 10, the length of the pipe 57 is shorter than that in FIG. Since the separation membrane module 1 includes the spring 26, the end plug 20, the tubular separation membrane 3, and the joint tube 17 are prevented from coming out even when the separation membrane module 1 is in an inverted posture.

  9 and 10, the permeating fluid is taken out through the collecting pipe 60, but the collecting pipe 60 may be omitted and taken out from each branch pipe 59 individually.

  As described above, in the separation membrane module 1 of the present invention, it is also possible to use the fluid to be treated introduced from the outlet 10 and the non-permeated fluid to flow out from the inlet 9. Therefore, in FIG. 9, a pipe 57 for guiding the non-permeating fluid from the outlet 10 of the odd-numbered separation membrane module 1 to the next stage (even-numbered separation membrane module 1) is connected to the even-numbered separation membrane. It may be connected to the outlet 10 of the membrane module 1.

  In the above embodiment, the end plug 20 and the rod 22 are integrated, but they may be separated. An example of this is shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, the rod 22A includes a rod main body 22a inserted through the opening 25a, a plate-like portion 22b provided at the lower end of the rod main body 22a, and a fall prevention portion 22c provided at the upper end of the rod main body 22a. Have. The diameter of the rod body 22 a is the same as that of the rod 22. The fall prevention part 22c may be disk-shaped or bar-shaped. The size of the fall prevention part 22c (the diameter of the disk-like fall prevention part 22c, the length of the rod-like fall prevention part 22c) is larger than the diameter of the opening 25a and prevents the rod 22A from falling through the opening 25a. Yes.

  In this embodiment, the fall prevention part 22c has a curved surface with a bottom surface curved downward. The upper end surface of the end plug 20A is a concave portion 20r that is curved upwardly.

  A compression coil spring 26 is interposed between the upper surface of the plate-like portion 22b and the lower surface of the presser plate 25 so as to surround the rod body 22a. This spring 26 urges the rod 22A downward, and presses the disc-like portion 22b against the recess 20r. Since the bottom surface of the disk-shaped portion 22b and the concave portion 20r are curved as described above, the end plug 20A and the rod 22A are naturally vertical when the rod 22A is pressed against the end plug 20A and the rod 22A. become.

  Other configurations in FIG. 12 are the same as those in FIG. 2, and the same reference numerals denote the same parts.

  Hereinafter, suitable materials for 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, but are not limited to, metals, ceramics, resins, and the like that do not allow fluid to permeate. The material of the baffles 7 and 8 and the joint tube 17 is usually a metal material such as stainless steel, but is not particularly limited as long as it has heat resistance and supply under separation conditions and resistance to a permeation component. It can be changed to other materials.

  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 the tubular porous support is a ceramic sintered body or a metal sintered body containing silica, α-alumina, γ-alumina, mullite, zirconia, titania, yttria, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, etc. A quality support may be mentioned. Among these, 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 those having a controlled pore diameter are preferred, usually 0.02 μm or more, preferably 0.05 μm or more, more preferably 0.1 μm. The above is usually in the range of 20 μm or less, preferably 10 μm or less, more preferably 5 μm or less.

Zeolite is 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.

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

  An example of a zeolite having an oxygen 6-10 membered ring structure is 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, TOL, TON, TSC, TUN, UFI, VNI, VSV, WEI, YUG, etc. There is.

  The zeolite membrane may be a single membrane of the zeolite, or the zeolite powder is dispersed in a binder such as a polymer to form a membrane, and the zeolite is fixed in a film form on various supports. A zeolite membrane composite may be used. The zeolite membrane may partially contain an amorphous component or 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, more preferably 1.0 μm or more. Moreover, it is 100 micrometers or less normally, Preferably it is 60 micrometers or less, More preferably, it is the range of 20 micrometers or less.

  However, the present invention may use a tubular separation membrane having a separation membrane other than the zeolite membrane.

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

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

  In the separation membrane module of the present invention, it is preferable that 2 to 850 tubular separation membranes, particularly 50 to 850, are usually arranged, and the shortest distance between the tubular separation membranes is 2 mm to 10 mm. The size of the housing and the number of tubular separation membranes are appropriately changed depending on the amount of fluid to be processed. The tubular separation membrane may not be connected by the joint tube 17.

  In the separation membrane module of the present invention, the target fluid to be separated or concentrated is not particularly limited as long as it is a gas or liquid mixture composed of a plurality of components that can be separated or concentrated by the separation membrane. However, it is preferably used for a gas mixture.

  Separation or concentration can be performed by a separation or concentration method called a pervaporation method (pervaporation method) or a vapor permeation method (vapor permeation method). The pervaporation method is a separation or concentration method in which a liquid mixture is directly introduced into a separation membrane, so that a process including separation or concentration can be simplified.

  In the present invention, when the mixture to be separated or concentrated is a gas mixture composed of a plurality of components, examples of the gas mixture include 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. The thing containing a component is mentioned. Among the mixture of these gas components, the gas component having a high permeance passes through the separation membrane and is separated, and the gas component having a low permeance is concentrated on the supply gas side.

  The separation membrane module of the present invention can be used by being connected depending on the amount of fluid or the desired degree of separation and concentration. If the amount of fluid is large or the target separation / concentration is high and processing cannot be performed sufficiently with one module, connect the piping so that the fluid from the outlet enters the inlet of another module. It is preferable. Moreover, it can be further linked according to the degree of separation and the degree of concentration to obtain the desired degree of separation and concentration.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Separation membrane module 2 Housing 3 Tubular separation membrane 4 End pipe 5 Support plate 6A Bottom cover 6B Top cover 6a Outlet 7, 8 Baffle 7a, 8a Insertion hole 9 Outlet 10 Outlet 11, 12 Chamber 13 Main chamber 14 Rod 16 Outflow chamber 17 Joint pipe 20, 20A End plug 25 Presser plate 26 Spring 30-35 O-ring

Claims (4)

A tubular housing;
A tubular separation membrane disposed in the housing in the longitudinal direction of the housing;
A separation membrane module in which a fluid to be treated flows from one end side to the other end side in the housing, and a fluid that has permeated the tubular separation membrane is taken out through the tubular separation membrane,
An end tube is connected to one end of the tubular separation membrane,
In the separation membrane module, the end tube is supported by a support plate installed so as to cross the housing, and an end plug is connected to the other end of the tubular separation membrane.
A separation membrane module comprising an extraction preventing means for preventing the end plug from slipping out of the tubular separation membrane.   2. The separation membrane module according to claim 1, wherein the extraction preventing means includes a pressing plate provided to face the end plug.   3. The separation membrane module according to claim 2, wherein the extraction preventing means includes a spring that is interposed between the presser plate and the end plug and presses the end plug toward the tubular separation membrane. .   2. The separation membrane module according to claim 1, wherein the extraction preventing means includes a spring that attracts the end plug and the end pipe.

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