JP2011131148A - Separation membrane device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a separation membrane device capable of exchanging a separation membrane unit in a state where operation is continued.
SOLUTION: A mixed fluid supply pipe 35 to which a mixed fluid is supplied, a plurality of separation membrane units 31, 32, 33 to which the mixed fluid supply pipe 35 is connected, and a plurality of separation membrane units 31, 32, 33, the separation fluid discharge pipe 37 for discharging the separation fluid separated by the separation membrane units 31, 32, 33, respectively, and the separation membrane units 31, 32, 33 connected to the plurality of separation membrane units 31, 32, 33, respectively. The remaining fluid discharge pipe 39 that discharges the remaining fluid that has not been separated at 33, and the mixed fluid supply pipe 35, the separation fluid discharge pipe 37, and the valve 41 provided in each of the remaining fluid discharge pipes 39 are provided.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a separation membrane device, and more particularly to a separation membrane device used for dehydration concentration of hydrous alcohol, natural gas separation, isomer separation in a petroleum plant, and the like.

  Conventionally, separation membrane devices that separate specific gases from gas mixtures containing various gases, separation membrane devices that remove water from hydrous alcohol, membrane reactors that support catalysts, etc. have been used, but they are safe and simple. As a result, the range of application has expanded, and these separation and concentration technologies are now partly substituted for distillation in various combustion engines, food industries, medical equipment, chemical plants, and oil refineries, as well as solvent recovery and disposal. It is also attracting attention in the field of material processing.

  For example, as a separation membrane device for separating hydrogen gas, as a separation membrane device for separating off carbon dioxide from off-gas generated in an oil refinery plant, recovery of hydrogen gas from purge gas generated in an ammonia synthesis plant, etc. The application to the removal of carbon dioxide contained in natural gas has been studied for the purpose of improving fuel consumption and preventing corrosion of pipelines. Furthermore, as a separation membrane device for separating oxygen, it is applied to medical equipment, sports equipment, and various combustion engines.

  As a conventional separation membrane device, a separation membrane device in which separation membrane units are connected in series has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). The separation membrane device described in Patent Document 1 is configured by connecting a plurality of separation membrane units in series downstream of a preheater.

JP 2009-160482 A

  In the separation membrane device of Patent Literature 1, since the separation membrane units are connected in series, the ethanol concentration in the concentrated ethanol discharged from the separation membrane device can be improved, but the separation performance of a certain separation membrane unit is high. In the case of deterioration or when a certain separation membrane unit fails, it is necessary to stop the separation device itself, replace the separation membrane unit whose separation performance has deteriorated or has failed, and restart the operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a separation membrane apparatus in which a separation membrane unit can be replaced while the operation is continued.

  The separation membrane device of the present invention includes a mixed fluid supply pipe for supplying a mixed fluid, a plurality of separation membrane units each connected to the mixed fluid supply pipe, and the separation connected to each of the plurality of separation membrane units. A separation fluid discharge pipe for discharging the separation fluid separated by the membrane unit, and a remaining fluid discharge pipe for discharging the remaining fluid not separated by the separation membrane unit, which is connected to each of the plurality of separation membrane units; And a valve provided in each of the mixed fluid supply pipe, the separation fluid discharge pipe, and the remaining fluid discharge pipe.

  In the separation membrane device of the present invention, the mixed fluid supply pipe is connected to a plurality of separation membrane units, and the separation fluid and the remaining fluid are respectively discharged from the plurality of separation membrane units. Even if a failure occurs, the valves of the mixed fluid supply pipe, separation fluid discharge pipe and remaining fluid discharge pipe connected to the separation membrane unit are closed, and the failed separation membrane unit is mixed with the mixed fluid supply pipe and separation fluid discharge. By removing the pipe and the remaining fluid discharge pipe and attaching a new separation membrane unit, the separation membrane unit can be replaced while the operation of the separation membrane device is continued, and the failure can be corrected without stopping the separation membrane device. .

  In addition, the separation membrane device of the present invention includes a sensor that measures the concentration of the separation fluid in the remaining fluid.

  Since such a separation membrane device has a sensor for measuring the concentration of the separation fluid in the remaining fluid, the failed separation membrane unit can be easily identified.

  Furthermore, in the separation membrane device of the present invention, the separation membrane unit has a plurality of separation membrane single tubes each having a separation membrane formed on the inner surface of a porous support tube connected in series. The mixed fluid sequentially flows in the pipe.

  In such a separation membrane device, the separation accuracy of the mixed fluid in each separation membrane unit can be improved.

  In the separation membrane apparatus of the present invention, even when a failure occurs in one separation membrane unit, the separation membrane unit can be replaced while the operation of the separation membrane device is continued, and the failure can be corrected without stopping the separation membrane device. Can do.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the connection state of three separation membrane units in the separation membrane apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the separation membrane apparatus which piled up the several separation membrane unit in the height direction. FIG. 4 shows a separation membrane unit, where (a) is an exploded perspective view, (b) is an explanatory view showing the flow of fluid in the left chamber of (a), and (c) is the inside of the right chamber of (a). It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of a fluid. FIGS. 3A and 3B show the separation membrane single tube of FIG. 3, in which FIG. 3A is a partial cross-sectional view of the separation membrane single tube, and FIG. FIGS. 3A and 3B show a state in which the chamber forming body of the separation membrane unit of FIG. 3 is rotated by 90 degrees, where FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view, and FIG. (C) is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the fluid in the chamber of the right side of (a). 6 shows a separation membrane unit having six separation membrane single tubes, (a) is an exploded view, (b) is an explanatory view showing the flow of fluid in the left chamber of (a), and (c) is ( It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the fluid in the chamber of the right side of a). It is an exploded view of the separation membrane unit which has 12 separation membrane single tubes.

  The separation membrane device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The separation membrane device of the present invention comprises three separation membrane units 31, 32, 33. These separation membrane units 31, 32, 33 are connected to mixed fluid supply pipes 35 to which a mixed fluid is supplied, respectively. Further, the separation membrane units 31, 32, 33 discharge the fluid separated by the separation membrane units 31, 32, 33. A fluid discharge pipe 37 is connected to a remaining fluid discharge pipe 39 that discharges the remaining fluid that has not been separated by the separation membrane units 31, 32, and 33. In other words, the separation membrane units 31, 32, and 33 are connected in parallel.

  The mixed fluid supply pipe 35, the separation fluid discharge pipe 37, and the remaining fluid discharge pipe 39 are provided with valves 41 for opening and closing the respective pipes. Separation fluid discharge pipes 37 respectively connected to the separation membrane units 31, 32, and 33 are connected and connected to a cooling device 43. The cooling device 43 includes a suction device (a vacuum device that approaches a so-called vacuum state) 45. Is connected.

  Sensors 47 for measuring the concentration of the separation fluid in the remaining fluid are provided in the remaining fluid discharge pipes 39, respectively. The sensor 47 that measures the concentration of the separation fluid in the remaining fluid does not need to be provided in the remaining fluid discharge pipe 39 as long as it can measure the concentration of the separation fluid in the remaining fluid. Moreover, what is necessary is just to have a sensor which measures the density | concentration of at least one among the separation fluid and the remainder fluid. A sensor for measuring the concentration of the remaining fluid in the separation fluid is provided in the separation fluid discharge pipe 37, for example.

  The separation membrane units 31, 32, and 33 perform dehydration of water-containing organic liquids and selectively separate specific liquids from several types of organic liquids, and separate and remove water in alcohol, for example ethanol. It concentrates ethanol. For example, the separation membrane having a molecular level pore of about 0.5 nmφ (5 （φ) is separated, and the water in the mixed fluid in which the ethanol and moisture supplied to the supply side are mixed is selectively dissolved by this separation membrane. In addition, an osmotic vaporization method (pervaporation method: Pervaporation method: PV method) that is taken out as vapor on the permeation side of the separation membrane by diffusion is used.

  In FIG. 1, the water vapor that has passed through the separation membrane is sucked by the suction device 45, cooled by the cooling device 43, and discharged as water.

  The separation membrane units 31, 32, and 33 are stacked in the height direction as shown in FIG.

  As the separation membrane units 31, 32, and 33, for example, those shown in FIG. 3 can be used. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the separation membrane unit, and the separation membrane unit has four cylindrical separation membrane single tubes 1 that are open at both ends.

  These four separation membrane single tubes 1 are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals between their side surfaces, and both end portions of the four separation membrane single tubes 1 are fixed to the single tube fixing plate 7 respectively. . Further, the four separation membrane single tubes 1 are accommodated in a cylindrical storage tube 5, and both ends of the storage tube 5 are fixed to the single tube fixing plate 7. A unit main body 3 is constituted by the separation membrane single tube 1, the storage tube 5, and the single tube fixing plate 7.

  In FIG. 3, the cylindrical separation membrane single tube 1 is used. However, it is not necessary to be cylindrical, and for example, the cross section may be a quadrangle. Moreover, although the cylindrical storage tube 5 is described in FIG. 1, it is not necessary to be cylindrical, and for example, the cross section may be a quadrangle.

  Both end portions of the separation membrane single tube 1 are respectively inserted and fixed in insertion holes 10 of the single tube fixing plate 7. The material of the single tube fixing plate 7 is not particularly limited as long as it can fix the separation membrane single tube 1 to the single tube fixing plate 7 without fluid leakage. Stress applied when the membrane single tube 1 is fixed can be reduced.

  The single tube fixing plate 7 of the unit main body 3 is provided with chambers 2a and 2b (hereinafter also referred to as chamber 2), respectively, and the mixed fluid is contained in the plurality of separation membrane single tubes 1 in the chambers 2a and 2b. A partition plate 6 is provided to control the flow so as to flow in series. In other words, the partition plate 6 controls the fluid to sequentially pass through the plurality of separation membrane single tubes 1. In other words, the plurality of separation membrane single tubes 1 are sequentially connected in series in the chambers 2a and 2b.

  The chambers 2a and 2b have chamber forming bodies 2a1 and 2b1 and flange portions 2a2 and 2b2 provided on the chamber forming bodies 2a1 and 2b1, and outer peripheral portions of the flange portions 2a2 and 2b2 of the chambers 2a and 2b. The chamber forming body is formed by inserting and tightening a bolt into the insertion hole 8 in a state where the insertion hole 8 formed in the tube and the insertion hole 8 formed in the outer periphery of the single tube fixing plate 7 are combined. 2a1, 2b1 and the single tube fixing plate 7 are securely fixed. In FIG. 3A, the flanges 2a2, 2b2 and the single tube fixing plate 7 are fixed with bolts, but may be fixed with a metal fastener or the like.

  The partition plate 6 provided in the left chamber 2a of the unit body 3 divides the chamber 2a into three rooms, and the partition plate 6 provided in the right chamber 2b of the unit body 3 includes the chamber 2a. The interior of 2b is divided into two rooms, and the separation membrane single tube 1 communicates with each room.

  That is, the partition plate 6 is accommodated and fixed in the concave chamber forming bodies 2a1 and 2b1, and the disk-shaped flange portions 2a2 and 2b2 are formed in the chamber forming bodies 2a1 and 2b1, respectively. The chamber forming bodies 2a1 and 2b1 are partitioned by the partition plate 6 and the flange portions 2a2 and 2b2, thereby forming a plurality of chambers. A plurality of through holes 16 and 17 communicating with the plurality of separation membrane single tubes 1 are formed in the disk-shaped flange portions 2a2 and 2b2.

  In addition, without using the disc-shaped flange portions 2a2 and 2b2, an annular flange portion that protrudes outside the chamber forming bodies 2a1 and 2b1 is used, and the inside of the chamber forming bodies 2a1 and 2b1 is divided into the partition plate 6 and the single tube fixing plate 7. A plurality of rooms may be formed by partitioning.

  The chamber 2a on the left side of the unit body 3 is provided with a mixed fluid supply pipe 35 that communicates with one of the three rooms, and a remaining fluid discharge pipe 39 that communicates with the other room. The fluid introduced from the mixed fluid supply pipe 35 is, for example, a mixed fluid (liquid to be separated) containing ethanol and water, and the fluid led out from the remaining fluid discharge pipe 39 is, for example, concentrated containing ethanol at a high concentration. Ethanol.

  The separation fluid that has permeated from the inside of the separation membrane single pipe 1 to the outside is, for example, water (water), and this water is discharged from a separation fluid discharge pipe 37 provided in the storage pipe 5. The number of separation fluid discharge pipes 37 is not limited to one, and may be any number.

  In FIG. 3, the example in which the mixed fluid supply pipe 35 and the remaining fluid discharge pipe 39 are provided in the left chamber formation body 2a1 has been described. For example, the mixed fluid supply pipe 35 is provided in the left chamber formation body 2a1, The remaining fluid discharge pipe 39 may be provided in the right chamber forming body 2b1. The mixed fluid supply pipe 35 and the remaining fluid discharge pipe 39 are preferably provided in either one of the chamber forming bodies 2a1 and 2b1 in terms of piping.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the separation membrane single tube 1 is configured by providing a porous intermediate layer 14 on the inner surface of a porous support tube 13 and providing a separation membrane 15 on the inner surface of the intermediate layer 14. . The support tube 13 is made of, for example, ceramic, the intermediate layer 14 is made of, for example, carbon particles, and the separation membrane 15 is made of, for example, glassy carbon.

  In such separation membrane units 31, 32, 33, for example, a mixed fluid containing ethanol and water, which are liquids to be separated, is placed on the left side from the mixed fluid supply pipe 35 as shown by the arrows in FIG. It is introduced into the room partitioned by the partition plate 6 of the chamber 2a, passes through the separation membrane single pipe 1a, is introduced into the room partitioned by the partition plate 6 of the right chamber 2b, and communicates with the same room. It passes through the other separation membrane single tube 1b, is introduced into the room partitioned by the partition plate 6 of the left chamber 2a, passes through the separation membrane single tube 1c communicating with the same room, Is introduced into the room partitioned by the partition plate 6 of the chamber 2b, passes through the separation membrane single pipe 1d communicating with the same room, and is introduced into the room partitioned by the partition plate 6 of the left chamber 2a. And is led out from the remaining fluid discharge pipe 39. FIGS. 3B and 3C also show the flow of the mixed fluid in the chambers 2a and 2b.

  And while the fluid containing ethanol and water passes through the separation membrane single tube 1 (the separation membrane single tubes 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d may be collectively referred to as the separation membrane single tube 1), Concentrated ethanol that permeates the separation membrane 15 and is discharged from the separation fluid discharge pipe 37 and contains the remaining ethanol at a high concentration is led out from the remaining fluid discharge pipe 39.

  In such separation membrane units 31, 32, 33, the fluid flows in series in the four separation membrane single tubes 1 by the partition plate 6 in the chamber forming bodies 2a1, 2b1, so in other words, the mixed fluid is The separation membrane single tube 1a, the separation membrane single tube 1b, the separation membrane single tube 1c, and the separation membrane single tube 1d flow in this order, compared with the case where a plurality of separation membrane single tubes are connected using a conventional U-shaped tube. It has a simple structure, is easy to automate during manufacture, and can be manufactured easily.

  Further, by removing the bolts that connect the flange portions 2a2, 2b2 and the single tube fixing plate 7, the serial connection between the separation membrane single tubes 1 can be released, so when the separation membrane single tube 1 is damaged or deteriorated. In addition, it is possible to easily remove the scale accumulated in the separation membrane single tube 1.

  Further, the separation membrane units 31, 32, and 33 rotate the chamber forming bodies 2a1 and 2b1 so that the mixed fluid flows in the plurality of separation membrane single tubes 1 through the partition plates 6 of the chamber forming bodies 2a1 and 2b1. Can be changed.

  That is, FIG. 5 shows a state where the chamber forming bodies 2a1 and 2b1 are respectively rotated by 90 degrees from the state shown in FIG. 3 and fixed to the single tube fixing plate 7 of the unit body 3. In the separation membrane units 31, 32, and 33, for example, a mixed fluid containing ethanol and water, which are liquids to be separated, forms a left chamber from the mixed fluid supply pipe 35 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. It is introduced into the room partitioned by the partition plate 6 of the body 2a1, passes through the separation membrane single pipe 1d, is introduced into the room partitioned by the partition plate 6 of the right chamber forming body 2b1, and is installed in the same room. Is passed through the other separation membrane single pipe 1a communicating with the gas, introduced into the room partitioned by the partition plate 6 of the left chamber forming body 2a1, and passed through the separation membrane single pipe 1b communicating with the same room. Then, it is introduced into the room partitioned by the partition plate 6 of the right chamber forming body 2b1, passes through the separation membrane single tube 1c communicating with the same chamber, and the partition plate 6 of the left chamber forming body 2a1. The remaining fluid is introduced into the room partitioned by It is derived from the extraction tube 39. FIGS. 5B and 5C also show the flow of the mixed fluid in the chambers 2a and 2b.

  Therefore, in the separation membrane units 31, 32, and 33 in FIG. 3, the mixed fluid flows in series in the order of the separation membrane single tube 1a, the separation membrane single tube 1b, the separation membrane single tube 1c, and the separation membrane single tube 1d. However, in the separation membrane units 31, 32, and 33 of FIG. 3, the mixed fluid is separated from the separation membrane single tube 1d, the separation membrane single tube 1a, and the separation membrane single tube by rotating the chamber forming bodies 2a1 and 2b1 by 90 degrees, respectively. 1b and the separation membrane single tube 1c can be flowed in series, and the order of flow in the separation membrane single tube 1 can be changed. Thus, after a certain period of time, the chamber forming bodies 2a1 and 2b1 By rotating each, the order in which the mixed fluid flows in the separation membrane single tube 1 can be changed, and the degree of deterioration of each separation membrane single tube 1 can be made uniform, thereby increasing the life of the separation membrane single tube 1. Separation membrane unit 31, which can be long The life of 2, 33 can be lengthened.

  That is, a large amount of water contained in the mixed fluid supplied from the mixed fluid supply pipe 35 is separated by the separation membrane single pipe 1 close to the mixed fluid supply pipe 35, and the water content increases toward the non-separated fluid supply pipe 39. Will be less. That is, the separation membrane single tube 1 that is closer to the mixed fluid supply tube 35 tends to deteriorate due to the influence of water, but flows through the separation membrane single tube 1 by rotating the chamber forming bodies 2a1 and 2b1, respectively. Since the order can be changed, the degree of deterioration of each separation membrane single tube 1 can also be made uniform, whereby the life of the separation membrane single tube 1 can be lengthened and the life of the separation membrane unit can be lengthened.

  6 shows the separation membrane units 31, 32, 33 having six separation membrane single tubes 1, and FIG. 7 shows the separation membrane units 31, 32, 33 having twelve separation membrane single tubes 1. However, even with such separation membrane units 31, 32, 33, the same effects as described above can be obtained.

  In the separation membrane device configured as described above, the mixed fluid supply pipe 35 is connected in parallel to the plurality of separation membrane units 31, 32, 33, and the separation fluid is separated from the plurality of separation membrane units 31, 32, 33. In this case, even when a failure occurs in one separation membrane unit, for example, the mixed fluid supply pipe 35 connected to the separation membrane unit, the separation fluid The valve 41 of the discharge pipe 37 and the remaining fluid discharge pipe 39 is closed, and the failed separation membrane units 31, 32, 33 are detached from the mixed fluid supply pipe 35, the separation fluid discharge pipe 37, and the remaining fluid discharge pipe 39, and a new separation membrane is obtained. By attaching the unit, the separation membrane unit can be replaced while the operation of the separation membrane device is continued, and the failure can be corrected without stopping the separation membrane device. It can be. The same applies when the separation performance of one separation membrane unit deteriorates.

  Further, this can be dealt with by increasing the number of one type of separation membrane units and connecting them in parallel according to the throughput of the mixed fluid of the separation membrane device.

  That is, conventionally, separation membrane units were connected in series in order to increase the ethanol concentration in concentrated ethanol. To increase the throughput of the separation device, however, the separation membrane unit can be enlarged or a separation membrane single tube can be used. The parallel connection of a plurality of separation membrane units is hardly studied. In the present invention, as described above, since only the failed separation membrane unit can be separated from the whole separation membrane device by the valve 41 and stopped and replaced, the influence on the operation of other separation membrane units is small, and the separation membrane unit is separated. As a whole membrane apparatus, concentrated ethanol having a stable quality such as concentration can be obtained.

  When the separation membrane unit that has failed and repaired is restarted, the temperature distribution in the separation membrane unit and the quality of the concentrated ethanol become unstable until the flow state of the mixed fluid becomes a steady state. Therefore, a flow path for returning the concentrated ethanol of each separation membrane unit to the mixed fluid supply pipe is provided so that the concentrated ethanol (remaining fluid) discharged from the replaced separation membrane unit is returned to the mixed fluid supply pipe until the quality is stabilized. It is desirable to control.

  In addition, a sensor for measuring the concentration of moisture as a separation fluid in concentrated ethanol as a remaining fluid is provided in the remaining fluid discharge pipe 39, so that a separation membrane unit whose separation performance has deteriorated or has failed can be easily identified. can do.

  Further, the separation membrane units 31, 32, 33 are arranged so that the mixed fluid sequentially flows through the plurality of separation membrane single tubes 1 in which the separation membrane 15 is formed on the inner surface of the porous support tube 13, so that each separation membrane unit 31, The separation efficiency of the mixed fluid in 32 and 33 can be improved.

  That is, in order to increase the separation efficiency, separation membrane units are connected in series to prevent concentration distribution between the mixed fluid near the separation membrane and the mixed fluid at a position away from the separation membrane. The flow path in contact with the membrane was lengthened to improve the separation efficiency of the mixed fluid. However, when the separation membrane units are connected in parallel, the contact time between the mixed fluid and the separation membrane is longer than when connected in series. Tends to be shorter and the separation efficiency tends to be lower than that of series connection. On the other hand, in the present invention, since the mixed fluid flows sequentially through the plurality of separation membrane single tubes 1 in which the separation membrane 15 is formed on the inner surface of the porous support tube 13 (the mixed fluid flows in series), the separation membrane unit Since the contact time between the mixed fluid in 31, 32, and 33 and the separation membrane also becomes long, separation efficiency equivalent to that of series connection can be obtained.

  Moreover, since the separation membrane units 31, 32, and 33 are stacked in the height direction, the volume occupied by the separation membrane device can be reduced. In the case of the separation membrane units 31, 32, and 33 having an external appearance as shown in FIG. 3, it is desirable to provide a frame on the separation membrane units 31, 32, and 33 so that they can be easily stacked.

  The separation membrane units 31, 32, and 33 are not limited to those shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, but separation membrane units using a separation membrane formed outside a conventionally known single tube are used. It can also be used and is not particularly limited.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Separation membrane single tube 2a, 2b ... Chamber 2a1, 2b1 ... Chamber formation body 2a2, 2b2 ... Flange part 3 ... Unit main body 6 ... Partition plate 7 ... Single tube Fixed plate 15 ... separation membranes 31, 32, 33 ... separation membrane unit 35 ... mixed fluid supply pipe 37 ... separation fluid discharge pipe 39 ... remaining fluid discharge pipe 41 ... valve 47 ..Sensor

Claims (3)

  A mixed fluid supply pipe for supplying a mixed fluid, a plurality of separation membrane units each connected to the mixed fluid supply pipe, and a separation fluid separated by the separation membrane unit respectively connected to the plurality of separation membrane units A separation fluid discharge pipe that discharges the remaining fluid that is connected to the plurality of separation membrane units and that is not separated by the separation membrane unit, the mixed fluid supply pipe, and the separation A separation membrane device comprising: a fluid discharge pipe and a valve provided in each of the remaining fluid discharge pipes.   The separation membrane device according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor that measures a concentration of the separation fluid in the remaining fluid.   In the separation membrane unit, a plurality of separation membrane single tubes each having a separation membrane formed on the inner surface of a porous support tube are connected in series, and the mixed fluid sequentially flows through the plurality of separation membrane single tubes. The separation membrane device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

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