Patent ID: 7717405
Filing Date: 2010-05-18
Classification: B01D,B01F,C01B,C10J

Abstract:
1. A shell side liquid-gas phase contactor comprising: a bundle of a plurality of porous perfluorinated thermoplastic hollow fiber membranes comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of poly (tetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluoro (alkylvinylether)), tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropylene, and blends of these, the hollow fibers having a first end and a second end, an outer surface and an inner surface; the hollow fiber membranes selected from the group consisting of: a perfluorinated thermoplastic housing wherein both ends of the hollow fibers are potted with a perfluorinated thermoplastic seal forming a unitary end structure with the housing where the fiber ends are open to fluid flow, the housing having an inner wall and an outer wall wherein the inner wall of the housing and the outer surface of the hollow fiber membranes define a fluid flow volume, the housing having a gas inlet to supply a gas to the first end of the hollow fiber lumen and a gas outlet for removal of gas from the second end of the hollow fibers, the housing having a liquid inlet fitting to supply a liquid to be contacted with the outer surface of the hollow fiber membranes and a liquid outlet fitting to remove the liquid contacted with the outer surface of the fibers in the housing, said liquid inlet fitting and said liquid outlet fitting are ½ inch to 1 inch and carry water at flow rates up to 10 gallons per minute; and spacer means for reducing pressure drop within said housing, said spacer means located at an unpotted portion of the hollow fibers adjacent the liquid inlet spreads said hollow fiber membranes, said contactor has packing density of said hollow fiber membranes whereby a shell side liquid pressure drop of said contactor is between about 2 psig and about 15 psig at a water flow rate of 5 gpm at 25° C.