Hollow fiber module using fluid flow control baffles

• US 5,169,530 A
• Filed: 03/19/1992
• Issued: 12/08/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Inventors: Hafez, Mahmoud M., Schucker, Robert C., Darnell, Charles P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sever, Frank
• Application Number:
  US07/855,360
• Time in Patent Office: 264 Days
• Field of Search: 210/321.72, 210/321.78, 210/321.87, 210/500.23
• US Class Current: 210/321.81
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2313/08 Flow guidance means within the module or the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/04 comprising multiple hollow fibre assemblies

Abstract

Hollow fiber membrane separation elements are improved with respect to fluid flow and contacting by dividing the bundle of hollow membrane fibers in the element into discrete sub-bundles by use of baffles in the module.

Claims

1. A hollow fiber module wherein hollow fibers surround a central mandrel and are enclosed by a container, the container being divided into a number of quadrants by means of means for directing fluid on the fiber exterior substantially entirely in radial, cross-flow to the fibers including baffles affixed to the central mandrel along its length and the interior wall of the container the central mandrel having rows of holes running its length between the aforesaid baffle plates, the container wall being equipped with holes in each quadrant defined by the baffle plates, the module ends through which the hollow fibers pass being potted to define a feed retentate zone and permeate zone.

2. A hollow fiber module wherein hollow fibers surround a central mandrel and are enclosed by a container, the container being divided into one or more separate sectors, each sector being divided into a number of quadrants by means for directing fluid on the fiber exterior substantially entirely in radial, cross-flow to the fibers including means of baffle plates affixed to the central mandrel along its length and to the interior wall of the container, the central mandrel in each sector having a single row of holes running its length between a single pair of baffle plates, one of the baffle plates bordering said row of holes being unpierced and extending from the central mandrel to the interior wall of the container, the other baffle plate having a row of holes along the edge opposite the central mandrel and nearest the edge of attachment to the interior wall of the container, each baffle plate thereafter being alternately pierced by holes either near the edge of attachment to the central mandrel or near the edge of attachment to the interior wall of the container so as to define a serpentine fluid flow pattern, the container wall in each sector being equipped with a single set of holes defining fluid exit means in the quadrant adjacent to the next feed inlet quadrant and bounded by an unpierced baffle plate, the module ends through which the hollow fibers pass being potted to define a feed retentate zone and a permeate zone.

3. A hollow fiber module wherein hollow fibers surround a central mandrel which are fitted inside a perforated vessel and are enclosed by a containers, the container being divided into one or more separate sectors, each sector being divided into a number of quadrants by means of means for directing fluid on the fiber exterior substantially entirely in radial cross-flow to the fibers including a first baffle plate unpierced by holes attached to said central mandrel the central mandrel having a single row of holes running its length each sector, the unpierced baffle plate in each sector being attached to the central mandrel along one side of the row of holes, said unpierced baffle plate extending through the wall of a perforated vessel into a periphery zone defined by the perforated vessel and a containment/accumulation vessel to an edge of attachment along the interior wall of the containment/accumulation vessel, a second unpierced baffle plate affixed to the central mandrel along the other side of the row of holes in the central mandrel and attached to the interior wall of the perforated vessel and additional baffle plates alternately affixed (1) to the central mandrel and pierced by a row of holes along the edge adjacent to the central mandrel (or spaced away from the central mandrel) and (2) affixed to the central mandrel and unpierced by holes, all of which said baffle plates are attached to the interior wall of a perforated vessel, those baffle plate which are affixed to the central mandrel and pierced by holes (or spaced away from the central mandrel) extending through the wall of the perforated vessel into the periphery zone defined by the perforated vessel and the unperforated containment/accumulation vessel and attached tot eh interior wall of the containment/accumulation vessel so that the periphery zone is itself divided into quadrants so as to define a serpentine fluid flow pattern, the wall of the containment/accumulation vessel in the area of the last quadrant of said periphery zone of each sector being fitted with a fluid exit/entrance means, the module ends through which the hollow fibers pass being potted to define a feed-retentate zone and a permeate zone.