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US4378981A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Gas separation apparatus

Assignee: Permea Inc
•
Filing: 1981-12-21
•
Granted: 1983-04-05
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Expires: 2001-12-21
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Abstract

Abstract Apparatus for separating one gas from a mixture of gases wherein a cylindrical shell having an enlarged end portion houses a bundle of hollow fiber membranes, the hollow fiber membranes extending through a polymeric tube sheet positioned in and secured to the enlarged end portion of the shell. A tubular distribution element secured to the tube sheet and extending into the cylindrical shell cooperates with the tube sheet and the enlarged end portion of the shell to form an annular chamber surrounding the distribution element. The distribution element is provided with a port positioned between the tube sheet and a gas inlet in the enlarged end portion of the shell, the port being positioned such that 0.4≦/D≦1.3 0.2≦d/D≦0.6 where d is the distance from the tube sheet to the port; l is the distance from the tube sheet to the inlet opening and D is the diameter of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes.

Inventors

  • 👤 Roger S. Otstot
  • 👤 Charles J. Runkle

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 18:01
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/22; B01D63/00; B01D63/02; B01D63/024

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 171 words
Apparatus for separating one fluid from a mixture of fluids comprising (a) a cylindrical shell having an enlarged end portion, said end portion having therein an inlet for admitting said fluid mixture; (b) a bundle of hollow fibers positioned in the shell, said fibers being more permeable to said one fluid than other fluids of the mixture; (c) a tube sheet secured to the enlarged end of the shell for closing said end portion, said hollow fibers extending through said tube sheet, and (d) a tubular distribution element mounted in the enlarged end portion of the shell and extending the length of said enlarged end portion, said distribution element cooperating with said enlarged end portion and the tube sheet to form an annular chamber surrounding said element, said element having therein a port so positioned that 0.4≦l/D≦1.3 0.2≦d/D≦0.6 where d is the distance from the tube sheet to said port, l is the distance from the tube sheet to said inlet and D is the diameter of the bundle of fibers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 171 words
Apparatus for separating one fluid from a mixture of fluids comprising (a) a cylindrical shell having an enlarged end portion, said end portion having therein an inlet for admitting said fluid mixture; (b) a bundle of hollow fibers positioned in the shell, said fibers being more permeable to said one fluid than other fluids of the mixture; (c) a tube sheet secured to the enlarged end of the shell for closing said end portion, said hollow fibers extending through said tube sheet, and (d) a tubular distribution element mounted in the enlarged end portion of the shell and extending the length of said enlarged end portion, said distribution element cooperating with said enlarged end portion and the tube sheet to form an annular chamber surrounding said element, said element having therein a port so positioned that 0.4≦l/D≦1.3 0.2≦d/D≦0.6 where d is the distance from the tube sheet to said port, l is the distance from the tube sheet to said inlet and D is the diameter of the bundle of fibers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the distribution element is secured to the tube sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the distribution element extends into the cylindrical shell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 29 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the distribution element is provided with a plurality of said ports positioned in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical shell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 41 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the apparatus is provided with a seal positioned in contact with the tubular distribution element and the inner surface of the shell for preventing leakage of the fluid between the tubular element and the shell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 209 words
Apparatus for separating one fluid from a mixture of fluids, comprising (a) a cylindrical shell having an enlarged end portion, (b) a tube sheet positioned in the enlarged end portion of the shell, said end portion having a fluid mixture inlet, (c) a bundle of hollow fiber membranes positioned in the shell and extending through the tube sheet, (d) a ring secured to the tube sheet, (e) a tubular distribution element secured to the ring in a position surrounding the bundle of fibers, said distribution element extending into the cylindrical shell, said distribution element cooperating with the tube sheet and the enlarged end portion of the shell to form an annular chamber surrounding the distribution element, and (f) a seal mounted on the distribution element in contact with the shell for preventing leakage of the fluid mixture between the distribution element and the shell, (g) said distribution element having a plurality of inlet ports arranged in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the distribution element, said plane being positioned such that 0.4≦l/D≦1.3 0.2≦d/D≦0.6 where d is the distance of the tube sheet to said plane, l is the distance from the tube sheet to the fluid mixture inlet and D is the diameter of the bundle of fibers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 209 words
Apparatus for separating one fluid from a mixture of fluids, comprising (a) a cylindrical shell having an enlarged end portion, (b) a tube sheet positioned in the enlarged end portion of the shell, said end portion having a fluid mixture inlet, (c) a bundle of hollow fiber membranes positioned in the shell and extending through the tube sheet, (d) a ring secured to the tube sheet, (e) a tubular distribution element secured to the ring in a position surrounding the bundle of fibers, said distribution element extending into the cylindrical shell, said distribution element cooperating with the tube sheet and the enlarged end portion of the shell to form an annular chamber surrounding the distribution element, and (f) a seal mounted on the distribution element in contact with the shell for preventing leakage of the fluid mixture between the distribution element and the shell, (g) said distribution element having a plurality of inlet ports arranged in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the distribution element, said plane being positioned such that 0.4≦l/D≦1.3 0.2≦d/D≦0.6 where d is the distance of the tube sheet to said plane, l is the distance from the tube sheet to the fluid mixture inlet and D is the diameter of the bundle of fibers.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1986-04-04 1986-10-04 1987-04-05 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1990-04-04 1990-10-04 1991-04-05 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1994-04-04 1994-10-04 1995-04-05 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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