Fluid separation assembly and method

A method for minimizing pressure loads and bending moments in a fluid separation assembly, the method comprising:

• providing a fluid separation assembly comprising:
• a hollow fiber bundle comprising a plurality of hollow fiber membranes;
• a first tubesheet and a second tubesheet encapsulating respective ends of the hollow fiber bundle;
• and,
• a housing surrounding the hollow fiber bundle and the first and second tubesheets, the housing having a feed inlet port, a permeate outlet port, and a non-permeate outlet port;
• forming a plurality of radial through openings in one of the tubesheets, such that the radial through openings intersect each or substantially each of the hollow fiber membranes;
• and,
• introducing or removing feed gas, permeate gas, or non-permeate gas into and out of the hollow fiber membranes via the radial through openings, thereby minimizing pressure loads and bending moments on the tubesheet.

A method of generating nitrogen enriched air comprising:

• introducing air radially through radial through openings formed in a first tubesheet encapsulated end of a hollow fiber bundle of hollow fiber membranes, wherein the radial through openings intersect each or substantially each of the hollow fiber membranes;
• permeating a permeate gas comprising one or more of oxygen, carbon dioxide, water through walls of the hollow fiber membranes;
• and,
• flowing out nitrogen enriched air from an opening of a second tubesheet encapsulated end of the hollow fiber bundle of hollow fiber membranes.