US 9,061,251 B2 · Self sealing membrane contactor with PTFE tubular membranes

Abstract

A tubular membrane module and its method of manufacture are disclosed wherein tubular membranes form an interference self-sealing fit with hard tube sheets with the aid of a hard hollow mandrel inserted at the end of the tubular membranes. The tubular membranes are comprised of porous, compressible PTFE and/or fluorocopolymers. The self-sealing method described herein requires no heat treatment, allows for ease of manufacture without destruction of the tubular membranes and without the processing complexity of utilizing any additional potting agent, extrusion, or chemical cross-linking of any polymeric adhesives. The self sealing PTFE tubular membranes have superb chemical resistance and temperature resistance, and through the benefits of this invention, offer higher pullout resistance than typically observed with potting materials such as polyurethane and epoxy. In addition, the self-sealing method is reversible and non-destructive (whereas chemical potting and sealing methods using heat are not), as one can easily remove one or more damaged tubes and replace them.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A tubular membrane module, comprising at least one tube sheet with one or more holes disposed therein;

one or more individual compressible polytetrafluoroethylene tubular membranes each having first ends disposed within a respective hole of the tube sheet;
one or more insertable hollow mandrels which have an outer flange protruding from a top lip of the mandrel and at least one ridge cut circumstantially projecting out from the body of the mandrel inserted into the first ends of the tubular membranes, with the first ends of the tubular membranes held in place in the tube sheet by a physical interference fit created between the insertable hollow mandrels and tube sheet;
and, a containment shell in which the tube sheet and tubular membranes are disposed.

A method for producing a tubular membrane module comprising at least one tube sheet with one or more holes disposed therein;

one or more individual compressible polytetrafluoroethylene tubular membranes each having first ends disposed within a respective hole of the tube sheet;
one or more insertable hollow mandrels, which have an outer flange protruding from a top lip of the mandrel and at least one ridge cut circumstantially projecting out from the body of the mandrel, with said mandrel inserted into the first ends of the tubular membranes, with the first ends of the tubular membranes held in place in the tube sheet by a physical interference fit created between the insertable hollow mandrels and tube sheet;
and, a containment shell in which the tube sheet and tubular membranes are disposed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Self sealing membrane contactor with PTFE tubular membranes

Life of this patent

Self sealing membrane contactor with PTFE tubular membranes

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27