U.S. patent application number 14/024124 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-09 for permeate adapter for multi-tube pressure vessel.
This patent application is currently assigned to UOP LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is UOP LLC. Invention is credited to Christopher Naunheimer, Steven M. Poklop, Mark E. Schott.
Application Number | 20140008284 14/024124 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40506970 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140008284 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Poklop; Steven M. ; et
al. |
January 9, 2014 |
PERMEATE ADAPTER FOR MULTI-TUBE PRESSURE VESSEL
Abstract
A permeate adapter is provided. The permeate adapter may be used
within a pressure vessel. The permeate adapter includes a front
portion and an oppositely disposed back portion. The front portion
includes a permeate opening for receiving an end of a permeate
passage tube of a membrane cartridge and for being in fluid
communication with a permeate reservoir. The front portion and the
back portion each include one or more fluid openings. Fluid
passageways are connected between the one or more front portion
fluid openings and the back portion fluid openings. The fluid
passageways receive an end of a membrane cartridge at the front
portion. At the back portion, the fluid passageways are in fluid
communication with a fluid reservoir adjacent the back portion of
the permeate adapter.
Inventors: |
Poklop; Steven M.;
(Palatine, IL) ; Naunheimer; Christopher;
(Arlington Heights, IL) ; Schott; Mark E.;
(Palatine, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
UOP LLC |
Des Plaines |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
UOP LLC
Des Plaines
IL
|
Family ID: |
40506970 |
Appl. No.: |
14/024124 |
Filed: |
September 11, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11906262 |
Oct 1, 2007 |
8540876 |
|
|
14024124 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
210/321.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 63/00 20130101;
B01D 2313/125 20130101; B01D 2319/02 20130101; B01D 69/04 20130101;
B01D 2313/12 20130101; B01D 2319/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
210/321.8 |
International
Class: |
B01D 69/04 20060101
B01D069/04 |
Claims
1. A permeate adapter for use within a pressure vessel, the
permeate adapter comprising: a front plate having at least one
fluid opening and a permeate opening which receives an end of a
permeate passage tube of a membrane cartridge at the front plate
and is in fluid communication with a permeate reservoir; a back
plate longitudinally spaced from the front plate and having at
least one fluid opening; at least one tube extending from the front
plate to the back plate to fluidly couple the front plate fluid
opening and the back plate fluid opening which receives an end of a
membrane cartridge at the front plate and is in fluid communication
with a fluid reservoir adjacent the back plate, the front plate and
back plate comprising discrete structural bodies joined together by
the at least one tube to form the permeate adapter; and a tubular
sleeve in which the front plate, back plate, and at least one tube
are received, the tubular sleeve sealingly coupled to the front
plate and to the back plate.
2. The permeate adapter of claim 1, wherein the front plate
comprises a front steel end-plate, and wherein the back plate
comprises a back steel end-plate.
3. The permeate adapter of claim 2, wherein the front steel
end-plate comprises a front notch formed along an outer edge of the
front steel-end plate, and wherein the back steel end-plate
comprise a back notch formed along an outer edge of the back
steel-end plate.
4. The permeate adapter of claim 3, wherein the front steel
end-plate comprises a front o-ring inserted in the front notch to
provide isolation between the permeate adapter and a membrane
cartridge chamber, the front o-ring sealingly compressed between
the front steel end-plate and an inner surface of the tubular
sleeve.
5. The permeate adapter of claim 3, wherein the back steel
end-plate comprises a back o-ring inserted in the back notch and
sealingly compressed between the back steel end-plate and an inner
surface of the tubular sleeve.
6. The permeate adapter of claim 1, wherein the at least one tube
is selected from the group consisting of a steel, composite, and
ceramic pipe.
7. The permeate adapter of claim 1, wherein said permeate adapter
is disposed within a sleeve.
8. The permeate adapter of claim 1 wherein said sleeve comprises
permeate exit openings.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a Continuation of copending application
Ser. No. 11/906,262 filed Oct. 1, 2007, the contents of which are
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] This technical disclosure relates generally to fluid
separation and, more particularly, to fluid separation via multiple
membrane cartridges or modules disposed within a pressure
vessel.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A variety of commercial processes rely on the use of fluid
separation techniques to separate one or more desirable fluid
components from a mixture. In particular, various such processes
may involve the separation of liquid mixtures, the separation of
vapors or gases from liquids, or the separation of intermingled
gases.
[0004] The use of membranes for fluid separations has achieved
increased popularity over other known separation techniques.
Membranes, once produced into elements, are typically formed into
modules or cartridges, e.g., a tube containing a plurality of
membrane separation elements. Modules can be used singly or, more
commonly, interconnected in series or parallel arrangements or
arrays in the form of membrane skids.
[0005] One of the difficulties in building membrane skids is the
need to ensure that the permeate header lines up with the flange
connections at the end of the membrane pressure tube. Increasing
the number of modules in an installation increases the number of
flange connections that must properly aligned with a permeate
header thereby increasing the difficulty of interconnecting
individual modules.
[0006] In addition, a common problem associated with the use of
spiral wound membranes is that each module containing the membranes
is typically required to be machined to a close tolerance to assure
good pressure seals. As a result, the cost for each module can be
significantly increased.
[0007] Further, each of the membrane modules loaded on an
individual skid requires some physical separation to accommodate
installation of the individual membrane modules. Typically,
membrane separation installations are constructed using a number of
membrane separation modules which are stacked vertically to form a
skid and create the required membrane area to process a fluid. This
design requires a multitude of external connections to feed each
individual membrane module and remove the processed fluid. As a
result, packing of such large systems may present a problem because
of the need to accommodate the input, output and permeate ports of
each module.
[0008] Such individual skids are constructed using structural steel
to support each set of membrane modules. Such structural steel
supports, however, add weight to the overall membrane system and
increase the area required to install each individual skid.
Consequently, such larger systems are heavier and more expensive to
manufacture due to the quantity of materials needed to produce the
structural steel supports, as well as, individual tubes for each
module. Such larger systems are also more complex due to the
increased number of connections between the membrane modules and
common headers used to deliver and remove fluids from the skid.
[0009] Thus, there is a need and a demand for separation systems
which incorporate an increased number of membrane cartridges or
modules in a given area. In particular, there is a need and a
demand for separation systems which incorporate multiple membrane
cartridges into a single pressure vessel.
[0010] There is also a need and a demand for separation systems
having simplified process fluid stream connections. Further, for
example, there is a need and a demand for separation systems that
permit feed stream delivery to, residual stream removal from, and
permeate stream removal from a multitude of membrane cartridges at
a reduced number of locations.
[0011] There is a further need and a demand for separation systems
that are less expensive to produce.
SUMMARY
[0012] We therefore provide a permeate adapter for use within a
pressure vessel. The permeate adapter includes a front portion with
a permeate opening for receiving an end of a permeate passage tube
of a membrane cartridge and for being in fluid communication with a
permeate reservoir. The front portion additionally includes one or
more fluid openings. A back portion is disposed opposite the front
portion and also includes one or more fluid openings. Fluid
passageways are connected between the front portion fluid openings
and the back portion fluid openings. At the front portion of the
permeate adapter, the fluid passageways receive an end of a
membrane cartridge. At the back portion, the fluid passageways are
in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir adjacent the back
portion of the permeate adapter.
[0013] A separation system includes an elongated pressure vessel
with a feed stream inlet, a residual stream outlet, and at least
one permeate stream outlet. A first tube sheet assembly is disposed
within the pressure vessel and defines a first permeate reservoir.
The first tube sheet assembly includes a first pair of tube sheets
and one or more first sleeves disposed therebetween. The first
permeate reservoir is in fluid communication with the at least one
permeate stream outlet. The separation system further includes a
first fluid reservoir disposed within the pressure vessel between a
first end of the pressure vessel and the first tube sheet assembly.
A plurality of membrane cartridge assemblies is disposed within the
pressure vessel and extends between the first end and a second end
of the pressure vessel. At least one membrane cartridge assembly
includes a first permeate adapter and a membrane cartridge, where
the first permeate adapter is joined to a first end of the membrane
cartridge and disposed within one of the first sleeves. The first
permeate adapter includes a front portion having at least one fluid
opening and a permeate opening that receives an end of a permeate
passage tube of a membrane cartridge at the front portion and that
is in fluid communication with a permeate reservoir. The first
permeate adapter further includes a back portion with at least one
fluid opening, and at least one fluid passageway connected between
the front portion fluid opening and the back portion fluid opening.
The fluid passageway receives an end of a membrane cartridge at the
front portion and is in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir
adjacent the back portion.
[0014] A pressure vessel is provided that comprises an elongated
housing containing a first fluid reservoir adjacent a first end of
the housing, a second fluid reservoir adjacent a second end of the
housing, a first permeate reservoir adjacent the first fluid
reservoir defined by a first tube sheet assembly, a second permeate
reservoir adjacent the second fluid reservoir defined by a second
tube sheet assembly, and a cartridge chamber disposed between the
first and second permeate reservoirs, the first tube sheet assembly
including a first tube sheet, a second tube sheet and a plurality
of first sleeves disposed therebetween, the second tube sheet
assembly including a third tube sheet, a fourth tube sheet and a
plurality of second sleeves disposed therebetween, the plurality of
second sleeves corresponding to the plurality of first sleeves. The
pressure vessel further includes a feed stream inlet, a residual
stream outlet, at least one first permeate stream outlet in fluid
communication with the first permeate reservoir, and at least one
second permeate stream outlet in fluid communication with the
second permeate reservoir. A plurality of membrane cartridge
assemblies is disposed within the elongated housing and extends
between the first fluid reservoir and the second fluid reservoir.
Each membrane cartridge assembly includes a first permeate adapter,
a membrane cartridge, and a second permeate adapter. The first
permeate adapter is joined to a first end of the membrane cartridge
and disposed within one of the first sleeves, the first permeate
adapter is in fluid communication with the first fluid reservoir,
the first end of the membrane cartridge and the first permeate
reservoir. The membrane cartridge is disposed within a membrane
pressure tube. The second permeate adapter is joined to a second
end of the membrane cartridge and disposed within the corresponding
second sleeve. The second permeate adapter is in fluid
communication with the second fluid reservoir, the second end of
the membrane cartridge and the second permeate reservoir. The first
permeate adapter and the second permeate adapter each comprise a
front portion having at least one fluid opening and a permeate
opening that receives an end of a permeate passage tube of a
membrane cartridge at the front portion and that is in fluid
communication with the first and/or second permeate reservoir. The
adapters further include a back portion having at least one fluid
opening and at least one fluid passageway connected between the
front portion fluid opening and the back portion fluid opening. The
fluid passageway receives an end of a membrane cartridge at the
front portion and is in fluid communication with the first and/or
second fluid reservoir adjacent the back portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a separation system in
accordance with one embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the separation
system shown in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a detail view of section 3 shown in FIG. 2.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional end view of the separation
system shown in FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a sleeve for use in the tube
sheet assembly shown in FIG. 3.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a membrane cartridge
assembly for use in the separation system shown in FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a permeate
adapter.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the permeate adapter
shown in FIG. 7.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a side view of the permeate adapter shown in FIG.
7.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of a separation
system in accordance with another embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 11 is an end view of a separation system in accordance
with a further embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 12 is an end view of a separation system in accordance
with yet another embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] We provide a separation system for use in separation of a
fluid feed via a plurality of membrane cartridges or modules
disposed within a pressure vessel. As described in greater detail
below, the separation systems have improved packing and reduced
space requirements. Moreover, we provide separation systems that
are lighter and less expensive to manufacture. Further, separation
systems having simplified and/or a reduced number of process stream
connections are provided.
[0028] The representative structures may be practiced or embodied
by, in or with separation systems having a variety of different
specific structures. As representative, FIG. 1 illustrates a
separation system, generally designated by the reference numeral
10, in accordance with one representative structure. While
separation systems have various uses, the structures are believed
to have particular utility for use in or with the separation of one
or more gases from a mixture of gases. It is to be understood,
however, that the broader practice of the embodiments are not
necessarily limited to use for the separation of gases from a
mixture of gases. Other fluid separations such as, for example,
liquid separations by reverse osmosis processing can, if desired,
also be practiced employing separation systems in accordance with
the embodiments.
[0029] Returning to FIG. 1, the separation system 10 includes a
pressure vessel 12. The pressure vessel 12 is suitably in the form
of an elongated housing having a generally cylindrical or tubular
cylindrical center section 14. The center section 14 of the
pressure vessel 12 may generally be constructed to have any size
suitable to house a desired plurality of membrane cartridge
assemblies. The inner diameter of pressure vessels may be adjusted
to accommodate various operation and process conditions to achieve
a desired flow per membrane cartridge assembly and to meet the
required product specification.
[0030] The center section 14 of the pressure vessel 12 may have an
inner diameter of about 0.6 m (2 ft.) to about 6.1 m (20 ft.). In
accordance with another embodiment the center section 14 of the
pressure vessel 12 may have an inner diameter of about 1.8 m (6
ft.) to about 6.1 m (20 ft.). The center section 14 of the pressure
vessel 12 may have an inner diameter of about 1.8 m (6 ft.) to
about 4.3 (14 ft.).
[0031] Each of a first end 16 and/or a second end 18 of the
pressure vessel 12 may be terminated with a hemispherical or
semi-hemispherical head 20 and 21, respectively. The head 20 and/or
the head 21 may include a manway, 22 and 23 (shown in FIG. 2),
respectively, to provide access to the interior of the pressure
vessel 12. Alternatively, one of the first or second ends, 16 and
18, respectively, may be closed to the atmosphere such as by way of
a blind flange (not shown) which forms a solid end cover at one of
the first or second ends, 16 and 18, respectively, of the pressure
vessel 12.
[0032] The pressure vessels may be constructed from various
suitable materials, such as various metals or metal alloys,
desirably at least relatively inert to the fluid stream materials
passing therethrough. For example, stainless steel in the form of a
plate having a thickness of about 5 cm to about 15.25 cm (about 2
to about 6 inches) may be rolled or otherwise used to form the
pressure vessel 12 in accordance with one embodiment.
Alternatively, pressure vessels can be constructed of other
metallic materials such as, for example, aluminum, carbon steel
and/or stainless steel. In accordance with certain embodiments, the
pressure vessel 12 can withstand pressures up to about 15.2 MPa
(about 2200 psi).
[0033] The pressure vessel 12 includes a feed stream inlet or port
24 adjacent or near the pressure vessel first end 16 and a residual
stream outlet or port 26 adjacent the pressure vessel second end
18. FIG. 1 depicts both the feed stream inlet 24 and the residual
stream outlet 26 oriented vertically. However, the feed stream
inlet 24 and/or the residual stream outlet 26 may be appropriately
disposed anywhere about the circumference of the pressure vessel 12
adjacent the respective desired pressure vessel first end 16 and/or
the pressure vessel second end 18.
[0034] Both the feed stream inlet 24 and the residual stream outlet
26 may be adjacent the pressure vessel first end 16 or the second
pressure vessel end 18. In a further embodiment, the pressure
vessel 12 may include multiple feed stream inlets and/or residual
stream outlets located about the circumference of the pressure
vessel adjacent the pressure vessel first end 16 and/or the
pressure vessel second end 18.
[0035] The pressure vessel 12 further includes at least one first
permeate stream outlet or port 28 adjacent or near the pressure
vessel first end 16. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the pressure
vessel 12 includes four first permeate stream outlets, 25, 27, 28
and 29, respectively. Additionally or alternatively, the pressure
vessel 12 may include at least one second permeate stream outlet or
port 30 adjacent or near the pressure vessel second end 18. For
example, the pressure vessel 12 illustrated in FIG. 1 also includes
four second permeate stream outlets, three of which are visible,
30, 31 and 33, respectively. The second permeate stream outlets are
arranged in a manner similar to the first permeate stream outlets,
25, 27, 28 and 29, respectively. The number of first and/or second
permeate stream outlets, 28 and 30, respectively, may vary
depending upon the particular application and/or process
specification.
[0036] The first and/or second permeate stream outlets, 28 and 30,
respectively, can desirably be disposed at appropriate select
locations about the circumference of the pressure vessel 12 and
radially extending therefrom, such as shown in FIG. 1. In
particular, FIG. 1 shows the first permeate stream outlets 28 and
the second permeate stream outlets 30 as extending from the
pressure vessel 12 perpendicular to the feed stream inlet 24 and
the residual stream outlet 26.
[0037] Turning to FIG. 2, the separation system 10 further includes
a first tube sheet assembly 32 disposed within the pressure vessel
12 adjacent the pressure vessel first end 16. The first tube sheet
assembly defines a first fluid reservoir 34 disposed between the
pressure vessel first end 16 and the first tube sheet assembly 32
and a first permeate reservoir 36. The first fluid reservoir 34 is
in fluid communication with the feed stream inlet port 24 and the
first permeate reservoir 36 is in fluid communication with at least
one permeate stream outlet 28.
[0038] The first fluid reservoir 34 may be a feed reservoir and the
second fluid reservoir 46 may be a residual reservoir.
Alternatively, the first fluid reservoir 34 may be a residual
reservoir and the second fluid reservoir 46 may be a feed
reservoir.
[0039] As shown in detail in FIG. 3, the first tube sheet assembly
32 includes a first pair of tube sheets 38, which includes a first
tube sheet 40 and a second tube sheet 42, which define the first
permeate reservoir 36 therebetween. The first tube sheet assembly
32 further includes a plurality of first sleeves 50 disposed
between the first tube sheet 40 and the second tube sheet 42. The
first tube sheet 40 has a plurality of first openings 54 formed
therethrough and the second tube sheet 42 has a plurality of
corresponding second openings 58 formed therethrough.
[0040] Each first sleeve 50 has a first end 52 disposed within and
extending through one of the first openings 54 in the first tube
sheet 40 and a second end 56 disposed within and extending through
the corresponding second opening 58 in the second tube sheet 42
forming a plurality of first channels 60 which extend through the
first tube sheet assembly 32.
[0041] The first openings 54 and the corresponding second openings
58 may be arranged in any suitable pattern, array or arrangement.
For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the first openings 54 in
tube sheet 40 may be formed in a honeycomb-like pattern.
Accordingly, the second tube sheet 42 would have a corresponding
honeycomb-like pattern of the second openings 58 (not shown). The
first and second openings 54 and 58, respectively, can be laid out
such that the first sleeves 50 are arranged in a manner similar to
that of a heat exchanger.
[0042] The first and second tube sheets, 40 and 42, respectively,
are held in place and at a proper or desired distance from each
other by the first sleeves 50, as illustrated in FIG. 3. For
example, the first sleeves 50 may be configured to maintain a
distance between the first tube sheet 40 and the second tube sheet
42 of about 10.2 cm (about 4 inches) to about 91.4 cm (about 36
inches.). Also, the first sleeves 50 may be configured to maintain
a distance between the first tube sheet 40 and the second tube
sheet 42 of about 15.2 cm (about 6 inches) to about 45.7 cm (about
18 inches). Further, the first sleeves 50 may be configured to
maintain a distance between the first tube sheet 40 and the second
tube sheet 42 of about 17.8 cm (about 7 inches).
[0043] Suitably, as shown in FIG. 3, the first sleeves 50 are
welded or otherwise permanently joined to the first tube sheet 40
and the second tube sheet 42 such as by a structural and sealing
joint 61. The first sleeves 50 generally create a structural
support system that reacts to loads on the first and second tube
sheets, 40 and 42, respectively, created by differential pressures
within the pressure vessel 12.
[0044] The first and second tube sheets, 40 and 42, respectively,
can be constructed or fabricated from a metallic material such as,
for example, aluminum, carbon steel, stainless steel or a
combination thereof. Similarly, the first sleeves 50 can be
constructed or fabricated from a metallic material such as, for
example, aluminum, carbon steel, stainless steel or a combination
thereof.
[0045] The first tube sheet assembly 32 may further include
structural support members (not shown) extending between the first
tube sheet 40 and the second tube sheet 42 and disposed between,
around or next to adjacent sleeves 50 to provide additional
structural stability to the first tube sheet assembly 32. Such
structural support members may be constructed, for example, from
schedule 80 carbon steel pipe having a diameter of about 5 cm
(about 2 inches).
[0046] The pressure vessel 12 may also include a second tube sheet
assembly 44 disposed within the pressure vessel 12 adjacent the
pressure vessel second end 18. The second tube sheet assembly 44
defines a second fluid reservoir 46 disposed between the second
tube sheet assembly 44 and the pressure vessel second end 18 and a
second permeate reservoir 48. The second fluid reservoir 46 is in
fluid communication with residual stream outlet 26 and the second
permeate reservoir 48 is in fluid communication with at least one
second permeate stream outlet 30.
[0047] The second tube sheet assembly 44 may be constructed in a
manner similar to the first tube sheet assembly 32, as shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the second
tube sheet assembly 44 may include a second pair of tube sheets,
which includes a third tube sheet 62 and a fourth tube sheet 64,
which define the second permeate reservoir 48 therebetween. The
second tube sheet assembly 44 further includes a plurality of
second sleeves 66 disposed between the third tube sheet 62 and the
fourth tube sheet 64. The third tube sheet 62 has a plurality of
third openings formed therethrough and the fourth tube sheet 64 has
a plurality of corresponding fourth openings formed
therethrough.
[0048] Each second sleeve 66 has a first end disposed within and
extending through one of the third openings in the third tube sheet
62 and a second end disposed within and extending through the
corresponding fourth opening in the fourth tube sheet 64 forming a
plurality of second channels 68 which extend through the second
tube sheet assembly 44. As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of first
channels 60 generally correspond to the plurality of second
channels 68.
[0049] FIG. 5 illustrates, in greater detail, a sleeve 110, which
advantageously permits or otherwise allows permeate material to be
carried into an associated permeate reservoir. The sleeve 110
includes a first end 112, a second end 114 and a body portion 116
extending between the first end 112 and the second end 114. The
body portion 116 is suitably in the form of a tube or otherwise
hollow structure such as forms one of the first channels 60 which
extends through the first tube sheet assembly 32 or one of the
second channels 68 which extends through the second tube sheet
assembly 44, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0050] The body portion 116 of the sleeve 110 includes at least one
permeate exit opening 118 formed therethrough to permit permeate
material to be carried into an associated permeate reservoir. For
example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the sleeve 110 may include three
permeate exit openings 118 formed through the body portion 116. The
sleeve 110 may include two, three, four or more permeate exit
openings 118 to accommodate desired process specifications.
[0051] The body portion 116 of the sleeve 110 further includes a
first sealing area 113 disposed between the first end 112 and the
at least one permeate exit opening 118 and/or a second sealing area
115 disposed between the second end 114 and the at least one
permeate exit opening 118 to restrain or maintain an associated
permeate adapter within the sleeve.
[0052] The first sealing area 113 can include a retaining clip
groove 120 formed or cut into an inner surface 111 of the sleeve
which restrains or maintains an associated permeate adapter within
the sleeve. The second sealing area 115 can also include a
retaining clip groove 121 formed or cut into the inner surface 111
of the adapter sleeve which restrains or maintains an associated
permeate adapter within the sleeve 110.
[0053] Alternatively or additionally, the body portion 116 of the
sleeve 110 can include at least one hole, aperture or opening (not
shown) formed or cut through the body portion 116 of the sleeve 110
generally associated with the first and/or second sealing areas,
113 and 115, respectively, for receiving a pin which restrains or
maintains an associated permeate adapter within the sleeve 110.
[0054] Returning to FIG. 2, the separation system 10 further
includes a plurality of membrane cartridge assemblies 70 disposed
within the pressure vessel 12 and extending between the pressure
vessel first end 16 and the pressure vessel second end 18. In
accordance with certain embodiments, at least a portion of the
membrane cartridge assemblies 70 are disposed within a cartridge
chamber 72 disposed between the first tube sheet assembly 32 and
the second tube sheet assembly 44.
[0055] The separation system 10, as shown in FIG. 2, is generally
known or referred to as a single-pass system. In practice, a fluid
is fed to the first fluid reservoir 34 via the feed stream inlet
24. The fluid passes into the membrane cartridge assemblies 70,
wherein select components of the fluid permeate through membrane
separation elements contained within the membrane cartridge
assemblies 70 and are collected in the first permeate reservoir 36
and/or the second permeate reservoir 48 and are removed from the
separation system via the at least one first permeate stream outlet
28 and/or the at least one second permeate stream outlet 30.
Non-permeate or residual components of the fluid exit the membrane
cartridge assemblies 70 and are collected in the second fluid
reservoir 46. The non-permeate or residual fluid is removed from
the separation system via the residual stream outlet 26.
[0056] FIG. 6 illustrates, in greater detail, a membrane cartridge
assembly 210. The membrane cartridge assembly 210 includes a
membrane cartridge 212 which may contain one or more membrane
separation elements 222. The membrane cartridge 212 illustrated in
FIG. 6, for example, includes five membrane separation elements 222
which are joined sequentially or in series. The number of membrane
separation elements 222 employed in particular membrane cartridge
assemblies 210 is generally application dependent.
[0057] Individual membrane separation elements 222 may be
interconnected by a clamp or other selected connection or coupling,
such as designated by reference numeral 224. One suitable
connection or coupling 224 for interconnecting individual membrane
separation elements 222 is disclosed, for example, in commonly
assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,851,267.
[0058] Each membrane separation element 222 includes a central
permeate tube 226 which, when the membrane separation elements 222
are interconnected, form, at least in part, a generally centrally
disposed permeate passage tube 228 which extends through the
membrane cartridge 212 from a first end 216 to a second end 220.
The central permeate tubes 226 include a plurality of perforations
230 for receiving fluid which permeates through the membrane
separation elements 222.
[0059] The membrane cartridge 212 may advantageously include a
membrane pressure tube 232 which provides support for the membrane
cartridge assemblies 210 and prevents the membrane cartridges 212
from sagging. Additionally, the membrane pressure tube 232
generally seals a feed side of the membrane separation elements 222
from a residual side of the membrane separation element 222.
[0060] The membrane pressure tube 232 may be in the form of a
cylindrical tube which houses or contains the membrane separation
elements 222. The membrane pressure tube 232 may be constructed
from various metallic materials, such as, for example, aluminum,
carbon steel, and/or stainless steel, or non-metallic materials
such as, for example, carbon fiber reinforced polymer materials.
The membrane pressure tube 232 may be constructed from light-weight
materials and may withstand pressures of about 3.5 to about 7.0
kg/cm.sup.2 (about 50 to about 100 psi).
[0061] The membrane cartridge assembly 210 includes a first
permeate adapter 214 joined to the first end 216 of the membrane
cartridge 212. The first permeate adapter may be further joined to
a first end 234 of the permeate passage tube 228.
[0062] The membrane cartridge assembly 210 may further include a
second permeate adapter 218 joined to a second end 220 of the
membrane cartridge 212. The second permeate adapter 218 may be
further joined to a second end 238 of the permeate passage tube
228.
[0063] The cartridge chamber 72, such as shown in FIG. 2, may
include a plurality of racks or intermediate supports 73 to provide
support for the membrane cartridge assemblies 70. Such racks
prevent the portion of the membrane cartridge assemblies 70
disposed within the cartridge chamber 72, from sagging which
alleviates or eliminates stress on the couplings between the
membrane cartridge 70 and associated first and/or second permeate
adapters.
[0064] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the membrane pressure tube 232
prevents the portion of the membrane cartridge assembly 210 within
the cartridge chamber from sagging which alleviates or eliminates
stress on the couplings between the membrane cartridge 212 and the
first and/or second permeate adapters, 214 and 218, respectively.
Racks or intermediate supports can be optionally removed.
[0065] The racks 73 may be positioned at intervals within the
cartridge chamber 72 and may extend horizontally across a width of
the cartridge chamber 72. For example, the racks may be constructed
from tubing having square or round cross section or from angle bars
that are disposed across the width of the cartridge chamber at
about 1.2 to about 1.8 meter (about 4 to about 6 foot)
intervals.
[0066] Alternatively, the racks may extend down a length of the
cartridge chamber 72 (not shown). For example, the racks may be
constructed from half tubes having a semi-circular or triangular
cross-section that extend from a first end to a second end of the
cartridge chamber, e.g., from the first tube sheet assembly 32 to
the second tube sheet assembly 44, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0067] FIG. 7 illustrates a permeate adapter 710, such as the first
and/or second permeate adapters 214 and 218 of FIG. 6. The permeate
adapter 710 permits or otherwise allows permeate material to be
carried out of a membrane cartridge, such as the membrane cartridge
212 as shown in FIG. 6, into an associated permeate reservoir, such
as the permeate reservoir 36 as shown in FIG. 2.
[0068] With reference to FIG. 8, a front view of the permeate
adapter 710 is shown. The permeate adapter 710 includes a front
portion 712. The front portion 712 includes at least one fluid
opening 713 and at least one permeate opening 714. The permeate
opening 714 receives an end of a permeate passage tube, such as the
first end 234 or the second end 238 of the permeate passage tube
228 as shown in FIG. 6. Further, the permeate opening 714 is in
fluid communication with a permeate reservoir, such as the permeate
reservoir 36 as shown in FIG. 2.
[0069] With reference again to FIG. 7, the permeate adapter 710
also includes a back portion 722, oppositely disposed from the
front portion 712. The back portion 722 has at least one fluid
opening 723.
[0070] At least one fluid passageway 732 is connected between the
front portion fluid openings 713 and the back portions fluid
openings 723. At the front portion 712, the at least one fluid
passageway 732 receives an end of a membrane cartridge, such as the
first end 216 or the second end 220 of the membrane cartridge 212
as shown in FIG. 6. Adjacent the back portion 722, the at least one
fluid passageway 732 is in fluid communication with a fluid
reservoir, such as the first fluid reservoir 34 or the second fluid
reservoir 46 as shown in FIG. 2. The permeate adapter 710 may
include one or more than one fluid passageways 732 depending upon
the size of the permeate adapter 710 and/or the process in which
the permeate adapter 710 is employed.
[0071] The front portion 712 and the back portion 722 of the
permeate adapter 710 may be steel end-plates with the front portion
being a front plate and the back portion being a back plate. The
front and back portions 712 and 714 may alternately be formed of
composite, man-made, or ceramic materials. The one or more fluid
passageways 732 may be a steel, composite, man-made, or ceramic
tube or pipe. The one or more fluid passageways 732 may be welded
or otherwise joined to the front portion 712 and the back portion
722 with the one or more fluid passageways 732, the front portion
712 and the back portion 722 being discrete structural bodies.
[0072] The front portion 712 of the permeate adapter 710 includes a
front notch 728 formed along the outer edge of the front portion
712. The front notch 728 contains a front o-ring inserted in the
front notch 728 for providing isolation between the permeate
adapter 710 and a membrane cartridge chamber, such as the cartridge
chamber 72 of FIG. 2. The back portion 722 includes a back notch
730 formed along the outer edge of the back portion 722. A back
o-ring is inserted in the back notch 730 to provide isolation
between the permeate adapter 710 and a fluid reservoir, such as the
fluid reservoir 34 or 46 of FIG. 2.
[0073] The permeate adapter 710 may be disposed within an
associated sleeve, such as the sleeve 110 illustrated in FIG. 5.
Once disposed within an associated sleeve, the front o-ring
disposed in the front notch 728 forms a seal between the permeate
adapter 710 and the associated sleeve whereby the space between the
front portion 712 and back portion 722 is isolated from an
associated cartridge chamber, such as the cartridge chamber 72 of
FIG. 2. Additionally, the back o-ring disposed in the back notch
730 forms a seal between the permeate adapter 710 and the
associated sleeve whereby the space between the front portion 712
and back portion 722 is isolated from an associated fluid
reservoir, such as the fluid reservoir 34 as shown in FIG. 2.
[0074] FIG. 9 is a side view of the permeate adapter 710. The front
notch 728 formed in the front portion 712 and the back notch 730
formed in the back portion 722 may be seen in the side view. Also
illustrated are four fluid passageways 732 and the permeate opening
714.
[0075] As the permeate opening 714 receives an end of a permeate
passage tube, the fluid received from the permeate passage tube
flows around the fluid passageways 732 in the space between the
front portion 712 and the back portion 722 of the permeate adapter
710. Thus, once the permeate adapter 710 is disposed within an
associate sleeve, the fluid, such as permeate material, exits
through the permeate exit openings 118 of the associated sleeve 110
of FIG. 5.
[0076] In practice, the permeate adapter 710, once joined to a
respective end of an associated permeate passage tube, places an
associated membrane cartridge, such as membrane cartridge 212 of
FIG. 6, in fluid communication with an associated permeate
reservoir via the permeate opening 714 and the open space between
the front portion 712 and the back portion 722. Further, the back
portion 722 of the permeate adapter 710 is placed in fluid
communication with an associated fluid reservoir, such as the fluid
reservoir 34 of FIG. 2, through the back portion fluid openings
723. The front portion 712 of the permeate adapter 710 is placed in
fluid communication with an end of the associated membrane
cartridge, such as the first end 216 or the second end 220 of the
membrane cartridge 212 of FIG. 6, through the front fluid openings
713.
[0077] In practice, referring to FIG. 6, a fluid to be separated is
fed to a back portion 242 of the first permeate adapter 214. The
fluid passes through first fluid passageways 244 into the first end
216 of membrane cartridge 212. Select components of the fluid
permeate through the membrane separation elements 222 and are
collected in the permeate passage tube 228. The permeated
components are carried into the first and/or second permeate
adapters, 214 and 218, via the permeate passage tube 228 where they
are discharged from the first and/or second permeate adapters into
an associate permeate reservoir via the space between the front
portion 712 and the back portion 722 of the permeate adapter 710,
such as shown in FIG. 7. Non-permeate or residual components in the
fluid are carried out of the second end 220 of the membrane
cartridge 212 into the second permeate adapter 218 where they exit
a back portion 246 of the second permeate adapter 218 via second
fluid passageways 248.
[0078] The permeate adapter 710 weighs less, costs less, and has
fabrication benefits over permeate adapters formed from a solid
piece of material, such as metal. The permeate adapter 710 is
comprised of a front portion 712, a back portion 722, and one or
more fluid passageways 732. The one or more fluid passageways 732
are welded or otherwise joined to the front and back portions 712
and 722.
[0079] In contrast, a permeate adapter formed from a solid piece of
material may include a central blind bore formed within the
permeate adapter, one or more permeate discharge ports, as well as
one or more fluid ports. This solid piece of material with the bore
and ports may weigh, for example, approximately 50% more than the
permeate adapter 710. Additionally, the solid piece of material
used to form a permeate adapter may cost more than the front
portion 712, the back portion 722, and the one or more fluid
passageways 732 used to form the permeate adapter 710. Furthermore,
extra cost may be incurred in the fabrication of the permeate
adapter from a solid piece of material as the fabrication process
takes more time and is more complicated than the fabrication
process of the permeate adapter 710.
[0080] In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, a
separation system 410 includes a pressure vessel 412 containing a
first fluid reservoir 414 adjacent a first end 416 of the pressure
vessel 412, a second fluid reservoir 418 adjacent a second end 420
of the pressure vessel 412, a first tube sheet assembly 422
adjacent the first fluid reservoir 414, a second tube sheet
assembly 424 adjacent the second fluid reservoir 418, and a
cartridge chamber 426 disposed between the first tube sheet
assembly 422 and the second tube sheet assembly 424.
[0081] The first fluid reservoir 414 contains a divider plate 428
extending from the first end 416 of the pressure vessel 412 to the
first tube sheet assembly 422. The divider plate 428 defines a feed
chamber 430 in fluid communication with a feed stream inlet 432 and
a residual chamber 434 in fluid communication with a residual
stream outlet 436. The second fluid reservoir 418 may be in fluid
communication with at least one fluid stream port 446.
[0082] The first and second tube sheet assemblies, 422 and 424,
respectively, define a first permeate reservoir 438 and a second
permeate reservoir 440, respectively. The first permeate reservoir
438 is in fluid communication with at least one first permeate
stream outlet (not shown) and the second permeate reservoir 440 is
in fluid communication with at least one second permeate stream
outlet (not shown).
[0083] The cartridge chamber 426 includes at least one first
membrane cartridge assembly 442 and at least one second membrane
cartridge assembly 444. The at least one first membrane cartridge
assembly 442 and the at least one second membrane cartridge
assembly 444 may be constructed such as described herein and shown
in FIG. 6. The at least one first membrane cartridge assembly 442
extends from the first tube sheet assembly 422 to the second tube
sheet assembly 424 and is in fluid communication with the feed
chamber 430, the first permeate reservoir 438, the second permeate
reservoir 440, and the second fluid reservoir 418. The at least one
second membrane cartridge assembly 444 extends from the first tube
sheet assembly 422 to the second tube sheet assembly 424 and is in
fluid communication with the residual chamber 434, the first
permeate reservoir 438, the second permeate reservoir 440 and the
second fluid reservoir 418.
[0084] In practice, a fluid is fed into the feed chamber 430 via
feed stream inlet 432 and passes into the at least one first
membrane cartridge assembly 442. Select components of the fluid
permeate through membrane elements disposed within the at least one
first membrane cartridge assembly 442 and are collected in the
first permeate reservoir 438 and/or the second permeate reservoir
440. Non-permeate or residual components of the fluid exit the at
least one first membrane cartridge assembly 442 and are collected
in the second fluid reservoir 418, also known as a recycle
reservoir. The non-permeate or residual fluid passes from the
second fluid reservoir 418 into the at least one second membrane
assembly 444. Select components of the residual fluid permeate
through membrane elements disposed within the at least one second
membrane cartridge assembly 444 and are collected in the first
permeate reservoir 438 and/or the second permeate reservoir 440.
The remaining fluid containing non-permeate components exits the at
least one second membrane cartridge assembly 444 into the residual
chamber 434 where it is removed from the pressure vessel 412 via
residual stream outlet 436. A separation system 410 operated in
this manner is generally known or referred to as a double-pass
system.
[0085] The divider plate 428 may be mounted within the first fluid
chamber 414 using a hinge or similar moveable attachment such that
the divider plate 428 may be moved to allow access to the interior
of the pressure vessel 412 such a via a manway 446 formed in the
first end 416 of the pressure vessel 412. In accordance with
another embodiment, the divider plate 428 may be releasably mounted
within the first fluid reservoir 414 whereby the divider plate 428
may be removed from the first fluid reservoir 414 to allow access
to the first tube sheet assembly 422 and/or to convert the
separation system 410 from a double-pass system to a single-pass
system as described herein above.
[0086] The separation system 410 can further include a divider
plate such as, for example, similar to divider plate 428, disposed
within the second fluid reservoir 418 extending from the second end
420 of the pressure vessel to the second tube sheet assembly 424.
The divider plate 428 within the first fluid reservoir 414 can
define first and second feed chambers (e.g., chambers 430 and 434,
respectively) and the divider plate within the second fluid
reservoir 418 can define opposing first and second residual
reservoirs. The at least one first membrane cartridge assembly 442
extends from the first tube sheet assembly 422 to the second tube
sheet assembly 424 and is in fluid communication with the first
feed chamber (e.g., chamber 430), the first permeate reservoir 438,
the second permeate reservoir 440, and the opposing first residual
chamber. The at least one second membrane cartridge assembly 444
extends from the first tube sheet assembly 422 to the second tube
sheet assembly 424 and is in fluid communication with the second
feed chamber (e.g., chamber 434), the first permeate reservoir 438,
the second permeate reservoir 440, and the opposing second residual
chamber. The first residual chamber is in fluid communication with
a first fluid stream port 448 and the second residual is in fluid
communication with a second fluid port (e.g., fluid stream port
446). A separation system 410 operated in this manner is generally
allows for or provides a 50% turndown (i.e., a 50% reduction in the
volume of gas treated within the system) when fluid is fed to one
of the first and second feed chambers (e.g., chambers 430 and
434).
[0087] The divider plate 428 can extend through the first tube
sheet assembly 422 and define first and second permeate reservoirs
therein. Additionally, or alternatively, a divider plate, similar
to the divider plate 428, disposed within the second fluid
reservoir 418 can extend through the second tube sheet assembly 424
and define first and second permeate reservoirs therein.
[0088] Two or more divider plates, such as, for example, similar to
the divider plate 428, can be disposed within the first fluid
reservoirs 414 to define three or more fluid chambers in the first
end 416 of the pressure vessel 412. Additionally or alternatively,
two or more divider plates, such as, for example, similar to the
divider plate 428, can be disposed within the second fluid
reservoirs 418 to define three or more fluid chambers in the second
end 420 of the pressure vessel 412.
[0089] Optionally, separation systems such as shown in FIG. 2 or 10
may further include at least one condensation port (not shown) in
fluid communication with an associated cartridge chamber, such as
the cartridge chamber 72 shown in FIG. 2 or the cartridge chamber
426 show in FIG. 10.
[0090] As shown in FIG. 11, a separation system 510 includes an
elongated pressure vessel 512 including a feed stream inlet (not
shown), a residual stream outlet (not shown) and plurality of
permeate stream outlets 514. The separation system 510 further
includes a plurality of membrane cartridge assemblies 516 extending
from a first end to a second end of the pressure vessel 512. The
membrane cartridge assemblies 516, constructed such as, for
example, shown in FIG. 6, include at least a first permeate adapter
518, constructed such as described herein and shown in FIGS. 7-9,
joined to a membrane cartridge (not shown).
[0091] The separation system 510 additionally includes a plurality
of permeate headers 520 extending through the pressure vessel 512
perpendicular to the plurality of membrane cartridge assemblies
516. Each permeate header 520 is in fluid communication with a
first permeate stream outlet 522, a second permeate stream outlet
524, and at least one membrane cartridge assembly 516. Each of the
plurality of permeate headers 520 may include a plurality of
adapter notches 526 for receiving one or more corresponding
membrane cartridge assemblies 516. In practice, a membrane adapter
notch 526 receives a permeate adapter 518 joined to a corresponding
membrane cartridge assembly 516.
[0092] The separation system 510 can further include a permeate
reservoir (not shown) having at least one permeate stream outlet
for collecting permeate from the plurality of permeate headers 520.
Such permeate reservoir can be in the form of a ring which
surrounds or encircles the separation system 510 such that the
first and second permeate outlets, 522 and 524, respectively, of
each permeate header 520 are in fluid communication with the
permeate reservoir. In practice, individual permeate streams from
the plurality of permeate headers 520 are combined within the
permeate reservoir and such combined permeate stream can be drawn
from the separation system 510 using a reduced number of permeate
stream outlets.
[0093] As shown in FIG. 12, a separation system 610 includes an
elongated pressure vessel 612 including a feed stream inlet (not
shown), a residual stream outlet (not shown) and plurality of
permeate stream outlets 614. The separation system further includes
a plurality of membrane cartridge assemblies 616 extending from a
first end to a second end of the pressure vessel 612. The membrane
cartridge assemblies 616 include at least a first permeate adapter
618, constructed such as described herein and shown in FIGS. 7-9,
attached to a membrane cartridge (not shown).
[0094] The separation system 610 includes a plurality of permeate
headers 620 extending through the pressure vessel 612 perpendicular
to the plurality of membrane cartridge assemblies 616. Each
permeate header 620 includes an internal header portion 622
disposed within the pressure vessel 612. The internal header
portion 622 of each permeate header 620 is releasably attached to a
first permeate stream outlet 624 and/or a second permeate stream
outlet 626. A first end 628 of at least one membrane cartridge
assembly 616 is releasably attached to an internal header portion
622 of an associated permeate header 620.
[0095] Each permeate header 620 further includes a first pair of
raised face flanges 630 and/or a second pair of raised face flanges
632. The first pair of raised face flanges 630 releasably attach
the internal header portion 622 of one of the permeate headers 620
to an associated first permeate stream outlet 624 and the second
pair of raised face flanges 632 releasably attach the internal
header portion 622 to a corresponding second permeate stream outlet
626.
[0096] The separation system 610 can further include a permeate
reservoir similar to the permeate reservoir described above in
conjunction with separation system 510.
[0097] As described above, a separation system which incorporates a
plurality of membrane cartridge assemblies within a pressure vessel
that allows permeate to be transmitted from the plurality of
membrane cartridges into one or more common permeate reservoirs
within the pressure vessel where the permeate may be removed from
the separation system via at least one permeate stream exit port is
provided. Thus, feed stream delivery, residual stream removal from,
and permeate stream removal form a multitude of membrane cartridges
at a reduced number of locations is provided.
[0098] As detailed herein, improvements and benefits realizable
through the practice include, a separation system that produces or
results in improved packaging at the skid level, reduced cost and
installation weight due to the elimination of piping or flow
connections to individual membrane cartridges or modules, and
increased flexibility regarding flow configurations without
requiring significant hardware substitutions.
[0099] The structures illustratively disclosed herein suitably may
be practiced in the absence of any element, step, part, component,
or ingredient which is not specifically disclosed herein.
[0100] While in the foregoing detailed description of this
disclosure has been described in relation to certain representative
structures thereof, and many details have been set forth for
purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in
the art that the disclosure can be varied considerably without
departing from the basic principles of the disclosure.
* * * * *