WO2014204291A1

WO2014204291A1 - Parameters prediction and simulation of hollow fiber membrane system

Info

Publication number: WO2014204291A1
Application number: PCT/MY2013/000109
Authority: WO
Inventors: KOK Keong LAU; Ahmad Faizan; MOHD Shariff AZMI
Original assignee: Universiti Teknologi Petronas
Current assignee: Universiti Teknologi Petronas
Priority date: 2013-06-17
Filing date: 2013-06-17
Publication date: 2014-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 2015-12-17

Abstract

A Hollow Fiber Membrane Performance Prediction Program is used to predict the performance of hollow fiber membrane module under three different separation mechanisms cross- flow, co-flow and counter-current flow. The Performance Prediction program assists in prediction of hollow fiber membrane performance data for a set of membrane characteristics. The Performance Prediction program facilitates manipulation of membrane characteristics to obtain a plurality of performance data. The program can be used as a standalone application or linked with commercial process simulator, such as Aspen HYSYS® as the user-defined extension

Description

Parameters Prediction and Simulation of Hollow Fiber

Membrane System

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to chemical engineering and processing. More particularly, relates method of simulation of hollow fiber membrane's performance. Background of the Invention

A Separation process is required in several industries (e.g. pharmaceutical, biotechnology, petrochemical) to separate various constituents of substances. One of the separation techniques that have been used is distillation. For certain conditions, distillation process has . proved to be inefficient with the advent of new separation methods. One such method is separation using Hollow Fiber Membrane. Hollow Fiber Membrane (HFM) has been widely used in various industrial separation processes of substances such as oil and gas industries. Separation using HFM is characterized by better performance parameters e.g. high Energy/Volume ratio, lower energy requirement, chemical free operation etc. Even though the usage of HFM has improved the separation process, yet it still can be optimized using simulation models (Mathematical models) . Prediction of performance of hollow fiber membrane at conception would reduce undue experimentation to achieve optimal performance. Currently available solutions that predict performance of the HFM do not allow users to change membrane characteristics which at least include selectivity, active length of fiber bundle, radius of fiber bundle, inner and outer radii of hollow fibers, length of tube-sheet and packing density in order to estimate different hollow fiber performance data, which at least include stage-cut (Permeate flow/ Feed Flow) , concentration of all components at any location in the module (including the permeate and retentate/residue side) , temperature at the permeate and retentate/residue side and permeate and retentate/ residue flow rate.

Conceptual process simulation and optimization of a HFM system are crucial during the stage of design, operation and troubleshooting of a hollow fiber system. But most of the commercial process simulators do not include models or tools that are associated with hollow fiber membrane. The lack of HFM mathematical tools has posed problems for the end user to design and optimize the HFM system using commercial simulators. Summary of the Invention

A Hollow Fiber Membrane Performance Prediction Program (HFM3P) can be used to predict the performance of hollow fiber membrane module under three different separation mechanisms cross-flow, co-flow and counter-current flow. The HFM3P assists in prediction of hollow fiber membrane performance data for a set of membrane characteristics. The Performance Prediction Module facilitates manipulation of membrane characteristics to obtain a plurality of performance data.

The Hollow Fiber Membrane Module Performance Prediction Program can either be a standalone system or simulated with a simulation software including Aspen HYSYS®.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views : FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for implementing the present invention using a general purpose computing device; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the primary program modules used in implementing a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG.3 illustrates an inventive logic for HFM3P.

FIG.4 illustrates a user interface for the Standalone Application of HFM3P

FIG. 5 illustrates Design Tab Interface of HFM3P in Aspen HYSYS® .

FIG. 6 illustrates Parameter Tab Interface of HFM3P in Aspen HYSYS®. FIG. 7 illustrates Worksheet Tab interface for HFM3P in Aspen HYSYS®.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying in drawings . FIG. 1 and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief, general description of an exemplary computing environment in which the present invention may be implemented. The invention may be practiced on a single computing device, but can also be implemented on a client computing device and/or a server or other remote computing device connected by a communication network, both of which will typically include the functional components shown in FIG. 1. Although not required, the present invention may be described in the general context of computer executable instructions, such as program modules that are executed by a computer. The computer may be a general purpose computer or a specific purpose computer. Generally, program modules include application programs, routines, objects, components, functions, data structures, etc. that performs particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Also, those skilled in the art will appreciate that this invention might also be practiced with other computer system configurations, such as a client device for executing personal productivity tools, including hand-held devices, pocket personal computing devices, other microprocessor- based or programmable consumer electronic devices, mul iprocessor systems, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. Furthermore, the present invention can also be practiced in distributed computing environments, where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices. With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary system for implementing the present invention includes a general purpose computing device (100) , provided with a processing unit (121), a system memory (122), and a system bus (123). System bus (123) couples various system components including the system memory to processing unit (121) and may be any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. The system memory includes read only memory (ROM) (124) and random access memory (RAM) (125) . A basic input/output system (126) BIOS, containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the computer (120) , such as during start up, is stored in ROM (124). The computer (120) further includes a hard disk drive (127) for reading from and writing to a hard disk (not shown) , a magnetic disk drive (128) for reading from or writing to a removable magnetic disk (129), and an optical disk drive (130) for reading from or writing to a removable optical disk (131) , such as a CD-ROM or other optical media. Hard disk drive (127), magnetic disk drive (128), and optical disk drive (130) are connected to system bus (123) by a hard disk drive interface (132), a magnetic disk drive interface (133), and an optical disk drive interface (134), respectively. The drives and their associated computer readable media provide nonvolatile storage of computer readable machine instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data the general purpose computing device (100) . Although the exemplary environment described herein employs a hard disk, removable magnetic disk (129), and removable optical disk (131) , it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of computer readable media, which can store data and machine instructions that are accessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks (DVDs), Bernoulli cartridges, RAMs, ROMs, and the like, may also be used in the exemplary operating environment.

A number of program modules may be stored on the hard disk, magnetic disk (129), optical disk (131), ROM (124), or RAM (125) , including an operating system (135) , one or more application programs (136), other program modules (137), and program data (138) . A user may enter commands and information into PC (120) , and provide control input through input devices such as a keyboard (140) and a pointing device (142). Pointing device (142) may include a mouse, stylus, wireless remote control, or other pointer. As used hereinafter, the term "mouse" is intended to encompass virtually any pointing device that is useful for controlling the position of a cursor on the screen. Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, joystick, haptic joystick, yoke, foot pedals, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like. These and other input/output (I/O) devices are often connected to processing unit (121) through an I/O interface (146) that is coupled to the system bus 123. The term I/O interface is intended to encompass each interface specifically used for a serial port, a parallel port, a game port, a keyboard port, and/or a universal serial bus (USB). A monitor (147) or other type of display device is also connected to system bus (123) via an appropriate interface, such as a video adapter (148) , and is usable to display application programs, graphic images relating to the display of gauges and other components within an industry and/or other information. In addition to the monitor, computer are often coupled to other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers (through a sound card or other audio interface--not shown) and printers .

As indicated above, the invention may be practiced on a single machine, however, the general purpose computing device (100) can also operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer (149) , to enable parameter prediction of Hollow fiber membrane performance. Remote computer (149) may be another computer, a server (which is typically generally configured much like computer (120) ) , a router, a network computer, a peer device, or a satellite or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described above in connection with computer (120) , although only an external memory storage device (150) has been illustrated in FIG. 1. The logical connections depicted in FIG. 1 include a local area network (LAN) (151) and a wide area network (WAN) (152) . Such networking environments are common in offices, enterprise wide computer networks , intranets , and the Internet .

When used in a LAN networking environment, computer (120) is connected to LAN (151) through a network interface or adapter (113) . When used in a WAN networking environment, computer (120) typically includes a modem (154) , or other means such as a cable modem, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) interface, or an Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN) interface for establishing communications over WAN (152) , such as the Internet. Modem (154) , which may be internal or external, is connected to the system bus (123) or coupled to the bus via I/O device interface (146) ; i.e., through a serial port. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to computer (120) , or portions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used, such as wireless communication and wide band network links. Other players coupled together over a communications network will typically use computing devices much like that described above .

The current invention can be implemented in hardware, software, or in both. In one embodiment, the current invention may be implemented in/as a standalone product. In another embodiment, the current invention may be implemented as a part of another product or as a module that can be coupled to suitable products. In yet another embodiment, the current invention may also be implemented as a standalone product and as a module that can be communicatively coupled to any other product.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of Program module in which the inventive logic is implemented. The inventive program or tool uses the logic (201) which may comprise of instructions or steps based on a mathematical model or Mathematical equations . FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of the inventive, logic in the program module. The logic allows adjustment of the membrane parameters and selection of the various separation mechanisms comprising cross-flow, co-flow and counter- current flow. The program module comprising the inventive logic (300 ) is a hollow fiber membrane performance Prediction Program. The HFM3P comprise of steps or instructions or a program (written in any high level language or machine language) based on mathematical models or mathematical equations) for the computer system to execute to calculate the desired parameters. HFM3P may support simulation and optimization of a hollow fiber membrane system that is crucial during the stage of design, operation and troubleshooting of a hollow fiber system. The logic uses various membrane characteristics as input ( 301 ) along with selection of separation mechanism ( 302 ) and predicts various membrane parameters .

In one example implementation, the current invention may be used in simulator programs such as Aspen HYSYS®. The current invention may enable users to modify existing parameters and to create operating conditions which can then be evaluated within the HFM3P. The HFM3P may receive the inputs provided by the user. The HFM3P may be configured to receive data about fiber membrane, parameter values and, the like as mentioned in 301. For example, a user of the device may be enabled to modify selectivity, active length of fiber bundle, radius of fiber bundle, inner and outer radii of hollow fibers, length of tube-sheet and packing density. The HFM3P may then process the input using a logic. The logic may be an algorithm, mathematical model, predictive model and the like. Using the logic, the HFM3P may predict the performance of hollow fiber membrane module under three different separation mechanisms (cross-flow, co-flow and counter-current flow) . The predicted hollow fiber performance data may include stage-cut (Permeate flow/ Feed Flow), concentration of all components at any location in the module (including the permeate and retentate/residue side) , temperature at the permeate and retentate/residue side and permeate and retentate/ residue flow rate. Based on the user input, the HFM3P may manipulate the membrane characteristics to yield different hollow fiber performance data .

The program can be used as a standalone application or linked with commercial process simulator, such as Aspen

HYSYS® as the user-defined extension as shown in Figure 4-7.

HFM3P may be potentially employed during the stage of process design, scale-up, optimization and trouble-shooting

(for the membrane modules in operation) .

The inventive module (e.g. HFM3P) described herein may enable the end-user to design and optimize the hollow fiber membrane system through the inventive module alone or in conjunction with commercial simulator.

The FIG.4 depicts a user interface (400) for the Standalone Application of HFM3P. As in FIG. 4 a flow mechanism (401) is selected for parameter prediction. The interface depicts various sets of input to be made to the system e.g. feed gas characteristics input (402), membrane characteristics input (403). When the calculate tab is pressed, the system outputs the predicted parameters for the HFM system.

The HFM3P can be implemented in Aspen HYSYS® simulator. FIG. 5-7 depicts the snapshots for the implementation of HFM3P in Aspen HYSYS® simulator.

The FIG. 5 and FIG 6 illustrate Design Tab Interface and Parameter Tab Interface respectively for an exemplary implementation of HFM3P in ASPEN HYSYS. FIG 7 illustrates Worksheet Tab interface for HFM3P in Aspen HYSYS® depicting the various parameters to be predicted by the system for the hollow fiber membrane.

As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention may easily be produced in other specific forms without departing from its essential characteristics. The present embodiments is, therefore, to be considered as merely illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred form of practicing it, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that many modifications can be made thereto within the scope of the claims that follow. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the invention in any way be limited by the above description, but instead be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method of enabling the user to predict performance parameters of a hollow fiber membrane system, comprising the steps of:

enabling the user to select separation mechanism from a plurality of separation mechanisms;

enabling the user to input membrane parameters; and

displaying the calculated parameters in response to a user selection or a command .

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the separation mechanism comprises cross-flow, co-flow and counter-current.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the membrane parameters comprises selectivity, active length of fiber bundle, radius of fiber bundle, inner and outer radii of hollow fibers, length of tube-sheet and packing density.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculated parameters comprises calculating stage-cut (Permeate flow/ Feed Flow) , concentration of all components at any location in the module (including the permeate and retentate/residue side) , temperature at the permeate and retentate/residue side and permeate and retentate/ residue flow rate.

5. The method of claim 1 can be run as a standalone application under Windows/ Linux environment.

6. The method of claim 1 can be run as a commercial process simulator, which at least includes Aspen HYSYS®.

7. A non-transitory computer readable medium having instruction for executing a method comprising the steps of: selecting of one of the separation mechanisms comprising cross-flow, co-flow and counter-current flow for a hollow fiber membrane system;

enabling the user to input membrane parameters;

calculating the desired parameters after a user selection or a command; and

displaying the calculated desired parameters.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the separation mechanism comprises cross-flow, co-flow and counter-current.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the membrane parameters comprises selectivity, active length of fiber bundle, radius of fiber bundle, inner and outer radii of hollow fibers, length of tube-sheet and packing density.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculated parameters comprises calculating stage-cut (Permeate flow/ Feed Flow) , concentration of all components at any location in the module (including the permeate and retentate/residue side) , temperature at the permeate and retentate/residue side and permeate and retentate/ residue flow rate.