US4308654A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods for assembling permeators
Assignee: Permea Inc
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Filing: 1979-09-24
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Granted: 1982-01-05
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Expires: 1999-09-24
Abstract
Abstract Methods for inserting a bundle of hollow fiber membranes into a permeator shell are provided which methods present minimal risk of damage to the hollow fiber membranes and enable high packing factors of hollow fiber membranes within the permeator shell to be achieved. In the methods, a bundle of hollow fiber membranes is surrounded by a substantially fluid impermeable, flexible envelope. The interior of the envelope is provided at a lower total pressure than the pressure at the exterior of the envelope such that the flexible envelope is drawn into contact with the bundle and laterally compacts the bundle. The envelope containing the bundle is inserted into a permeator shell while maintaining the pressure differential. The flexible envelope may be retained within or may be withdrawn from the permeator shell.
Inventors
- 👤 Marlowe C. Bogart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:16
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D63/00; B01D63/02; B01D63/021; B01D63/0233; B01D53/00; B01D53/22; B01D69/00; B01D69/08; B01D69/084; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49863; Y10T29/4987; Y10T29/49872; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53652; Y10T29/53657
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for inserting a bundle of hollow fiber membranes for fluid separations into a permeator shell comprising surrounding the bundle with a substantially fluid impermeable, flexible envelope; providing the interior of the flexible envelope at a lower total pressure than the pressure at the exterior of the flexible envelope such that the flexible envelope laterally compacts the bundle; and inserting the flexible envelope containing the bundle into the permeator shell while maintaining the interior of the flexible envelope at a lower total pressure than the pressure at the exterior of the flexible envelope.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for inserting a bundle of hollow fiber membranes for fluid separations into a permeator shell comprising surrounding the bundle with a substantially fluid impermeable, flexible envelope; providing the interior of the flexible envelope at a lower total pressure than the pressure at the exterior of the flexible envelope such that the flexible envelope laterally compacts the bundle; and inserting the flexible envelope containing the bundle into the permeator shell while maintaining the interior of the flexible envelope at a lower total pressure than the pressure at the exterior of the flexible envelope.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the difference in total pressure between the exterior and interior of the flexible envelope is less than about 5 atmospheres.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the difference in total pressure between the exterior and interior of the flexible envelope is about 0.1 to 1 atmosphere.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 or 3 wherein the interior of the flexible envelope is at subatmospheric pressure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the flexible envelope is removed after the bundle is substantially inserted into the permeator shell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the flexible envelope is removed by providing the interior of the flexible envelope at a higher total pressure than the pressure at the exterior of the flexible envelope such that the flexible envelope expands away from the hollow fiber membranes and is withdrawn.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the hollow fiber membranes have crimps.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the lateral compaction of the bundle by the flexible envelope provides compression on the crimps.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the lateral compaction of the bundle by the flexible envelope is sufficient to reduce the flexibility of the bundle to a change in configuration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 or 9 wherein the bundle is provided in a configuration suitable to insertion into the permeator shell prior to providing the interior of the flexible envelope at a lower total pressure than the pressure at the exterior of the flexible envelope.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the flexible envelope is of a preformed tubular construction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the packing factor of the hollow fiber membranes in the permeator shell is at least about 45 percent.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the packing factor of the hollow fiber membranes in the permeator shell is about 50 to 65 percent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the permeator shell has a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, 7 or 13 wherein the hollow fiber membranes have a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-01-04 | 1985-07-06 | 1986-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-01-04 | 1989-07-06 | 1990-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-01-04 | 1993-07-06 | 1994-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |