Abstract: A cartridge for non-cryogenically separating a gas into components includes a plurality of hollow polymeric fibers, the fibers being anchored by a pair of tubesheets, each tubesheet being adjacent to a head, the tubesheet and head being joined by a clamshell retainer. The cartridge does not have a core tube. The fibers are enclosed within a sleeve, the sleeve being sufficiently thin so as to be a non-structural element. The cartridge may be inserted within a larger pressure vessel. The cartridge of the present invention can accommodate more fibers than comparable cartridges of the prior art, and therefore has greater throughput.

Abstract: A cartridge for non-cryogenically separating a gas into components includes a plurality of hollow polymeric fibers, the fibers being anchored by a pair of tubesheets, each tubesheet being adjacent to a head, the tubesheet and head being joined by a clamshell retainer. The cartridge does not have a core tube. The fibers are enclosed within a sleeve, the sleeve being sufficiently thin so as to be a non-structural element. The cartridge may be inserted within a larger pressure vessel. The cartridge of the present invention can accommodate more fibers than comparable cartridges of the prior art, and therefore has greater throughput.

Abstract: A gas separation module includes hollow polymeric fibers held between a pair of tubesheets. The tubesheets are mounted to a core tube, and the distance between the tubesheets is maintained constant. The core tube is formed in telescoping sections, such that the fibers are attached to the tubesheets when the core tube is in its extended position, and the core tube is then collapsed, forming slack in the fibers. The core tube includes two distinct channels, connected to receive permeate and retentate gas streams, and to carry these streams to outlet ports while keeping the streams separate. Because the tubesheets are affixed to the core tube, the tubesheets do not move under the influence of gas pressure in the module. The slack in the fibers compensates for shrinkage of the fibers, prolonging the life of the module.

Abstract: An air dehydration module includes polymeric fibers for separating water vapor from air, and also includes a carbon filter material, positioned at an outlet end of the module, and within the same pressure vessel which houses the fibers. The module may generate its own sweep stream, in which case a portion of its output is directed to flow through an orifice, towards the inlet end of the module. In an alternative embodiment, the sweep gas is produced by a distinct gas-separation module, which receives an input stream from the output of the dehydration module. The dehydration module produces clean and dry air which can be used as is, or as an input stream to an air separation module.

Abstract: A gas separation module includes hollow polymeric fibers held between a pair of tubesheets. The tubesheets are mounted to a core tube, and the distance between the tubesheets is maintained constant. The core tube is formed in telescoping sections, such that the fibers are attached to the tubesheets when the core tube is in its extended position, and the core tube is then collapsed, forming slack in the fibers. The core tube includes two distinct channels, connected to receive permeate and retentate gas streams, and to carry these streams to outlet ports while keeping the streams separate. Because the tubesheets are affixed to the core tube, the tubesheets do not move under the influence of gas pressure in the module. The slack in the fibers compensates for shrinkage of the fibers, prolonging the life of the module.

Abstract: An air dehydration module includes polymeric fibers for separating water vapor from air, and also includes a carbon filter material, positioned at an outlet end of the module, and within the same pressure vessel which houses the fibers. The module may generate its own sweep stream, in which case a portion of its output is directed to flow through an orifice, towards the inlet end of the module. In an alternative embodiment, the sweep gas is produced by a distinct gas-separation module, which receives an input stream from the output of the dehydration module. The dehydration module produces clean and dry air which can be used as is, or as an input stream to an air separation module.

Abstract: A module having polymeric gas-separation membranes is capable of operation in extreme temperature environments. In one embodiment, the module includes polymeric fiber membranes, a tubesheet for holding the membranes, and a sleeve encasing the membranes, all of which are made of materials having coefficients of thermal expansion which differ from each other by not more than about 10%. In another embodiment, the membranes, the tubesheet, and the sleeve are all made of materials having a glass transition temperature greater than a highest anticipated temperature of operation of the module. In another embodiment, the module includes a head, and a clamshell having multiple protrusions which engage corresponding grooves in the head and in at least two grooves formed in the tubesheet.

Abstract: A module having polymeric gas-separation membranes is capable of operation in extreme temperature environments. In one embodiment, the module includes polymeric fiber membranes, a tubesheet for holding the membranes, and a sleeve encasing the membranes, all of which are made of materials having coefficients of thermal expansion which differ from each other by not more than about 10%. In another embodiment, the membranes, the tubesheet, and the sleeve are all made of materials having a glass transition temperature greater than a highest anticipated temperature of operation of the module. In another embodiment, the module includes a head, and a clamshell having multiple protrusions which engage corresponding grooves in the head and in at least two grooves formed in the tubesheet.

Abstract: A tubesheet is formed at the end of a module containing polymeric material for gas separation, by immersing the end of the module in an epoxy material, or its equivalent. A vacuum, or partial vacuum, applied at or near the opposite end of the module, tends to draw the epoxy material towards the source of the vacuum, and results in a tubesheet having a desired thickness, even though the epoxy material may have relatively high viscosity. The method produces effective tubesheets, while minimizing the degree to which the tubesheet covers the otherwise useful surface area of the polymeric material. The method thus produces gas-separation modules having enhanced productivity.

Abstract: A tubesheet is formed at the end of a module containing polymeric material for gas separation, by immersing the end of the module in an epoxy material, or its equivalent. A vacuum, or partial vacuum, applied at or near the opposite end of the module, tends to draw the epoxy material towards the source of the vacuum, and results in a tubesheet having a desired thickness, even though the epoxy material may have relatively high viscosity. The method produces effective tubesheets, while minimizing the degree to which the tubesheet covers the otherwise useful surface area of the polymeric material. The method thus produces gas-separation modules having enhanced productivity.