Selective plugging of broken fibers in tubesheet-hollow fiber assemblies
US4170695A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 22, 1977 |
| Grant date | Oct 9, 1979 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 22, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/10
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
There is disclosed a method of selectively plugging broken fibers included in a bundle of hollow fibers having open ends protruding from a tubesheet and closed ends distal from the tubesheet. The protruding open ends are immersed in a curable, fluid sealant and capillary attraction is utilized to draw the sealant into the broken fibers. The resistance to compression of the gases in the unbroken fibers is such that the sealant does not move into the latter fibers so far that they will not be open after the protruding ends are removed. The imbibed sealant is cured in place and the protruding fiber ends are cut off flush with the final surface of the tubesheet. This method is of particular value in preparing tubesheet-fiber assemblies for use in high temperature alkali metal-sulfur battery cells, wherein the hollow fibers function as an electrolyte-separator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.