Mass transfer method and apparatus
US6309550A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 22, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 30, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 22, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P20/582
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for transferring mass between a flow of a first fluid, preferably a gas phase such as a combustion flue gas, and flow of a second fluid, preferably a liquid phase, where the first fluid is contacted with the outer surface of porous (semi-permeable) membranes, e.g. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, Teflon.RTM.) membranes, in the form of hollow fibers having gas-containing pores and containing the second fluid with the inner surface of the membranes. Useful membranes are characterized in that they e.g. have a porosity (.epsilon.) of at least 0.50, a mass transfer coefficient of e.g. at least 3 cm/s, and a tortuosity factor of e.g. at the most 1.4/.epsilon. when the porosity .epsilon. is lower than 0.80 and at the most 1.3/.epsilon. when the porosity .epsilon. is 0.80 or higher. The membranes may also be arranged in hollow tubular members where the mass transfer coefficient of the membranes is at least on tenth of the mass transfer coefficient of the gas phase. The invention also relates to an apparatus for the above-mentioned mass transfer having a tubular conduit with an open inlet end, where a part of the wall of the conduit comprises a plurality of h…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.