Abstract:
A helically wound hollow membrane module having a core with a plurality of helically wound layers of semi-permeable hollow fibers wound on the core. The fiber wind angle with respect to any one layer of fibers may be essentially constant along the axial length of the module, except in one or both end or tubesheet regions, where the wind angle may be increased, in at least some of the layers relative to the essentially constant wind angle, to produce an area of decreasing diameter.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is claiming the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of the provisional application filed Sep. 22, 2006 under 35 U.S.C. §111(b), which was granted Ser. No. 60/846,482. This provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Provisional application Ser. No. 60/846,482 is pending as of the filing date of the present application. 
     
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention generally relates to hollow fiber membrane modules for the use in gas separation or gas transfer, more specifically to an improved module design for the removal of water vapor from gas streams or for the transfer of water vapor from one gas stream to a second one. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Water-permeable hollow fiber membrane modules have been used commercially for the dehydration of gas streams as well as for the transfer of moisture from one gas stream to another. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,585,808 and 6,616,735 disclose membrane modules suitable for gas dehydration and are incorporated herein as references and U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,522 discloses a membrane for drying or humidifying gases. For the purpose of describing the salient features of this invention, only bore-side feed gas dehydration modules will be considered, although the membrane module design concepts are applicable to the gas separation and gas transfer applications mentioned previously. In these membrane modules, the feed gas containing the moisture to be removed flows through the lumen of the hollow fiber membranes. As the feed gas flows through the membrane lumen, moisture diffuses across the water permeable membranes to the shell side of the module. In order to maintain this process, a dry gas is injected on the shell side of the module to sweep away the water vapor that has permeated. Often this dry sweep gas is derived from the dry gas that is produced by the membrane module, although other sources may be used. 
         [0004]    In an ideal module, not only does the lumen of each fiber receive the same amount of gas flow, but also the sweep gas is uniformly distributed around the outside of the fibers and each fiber is contacted with the same amount of sweep gas. However, in practice some degree of maldistribution of the sweep gas occurs and this results in a loss of performance. To overcome this issue, either additional membrane must be used or additional sweep gas flow must be used, both adding to the cost of the process. Thus, membrane module designers are continually developing new membrane module designs to minimize the maldistribution of the sweep flow and to maximize module performance. 
         [0005]    Bikson in U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,955 discloses a membrane module design with improved shell side flow using hollow fibers that are helically wound around a core. However he teaches that the a limitation to this approach is that the fibers must be of essentially uniform length, defining essentially uniform length as “the active lengths of the hollow fibers of the permeator cell will vary from one another by less than about 20 percent” (col 6 lines 41-44). 
         [0006]    In addition to performance aspects related to membrane module design, the membrane modules must have the required structural integrity for the applications. In gas drying application, the gas is at elevated pressures and can exceed several hundred psig. This pressure force is applied to the face of the tubesheet and thus the tubesheet must maintain its structural integrity at these forces and at elevated temperatures. In the process of manufacturing a membrane module, the hollow fibers are embedded in a tubesheet. The presence of the fibers in the tubesheet reduces the structural integrity of the tubesheet as the hollow fibers themselves do not add to the strength of the material to resist the pressure forces described above. In addition to the presence of the hollow fibers in the tubesheet, other components may also be present in the tubesheet which tend to reduce the strength of the tubesheet. 
         [0007]    For example in Bikson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,479 an impervious layer is shown embedded in the tubesheet material. The intersection of the impervious material and the tubesheet results in a discontinuity of the tubesheet material and thus weakens the tubesheet. Thus improvements in the structural integrity of the membrane modules are continually sought. 
         [0008]    In Giglia, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,033 there is shown a hollow fiber membrane module comprising a plurality of helically wound layers of semi-permeable hollow fibers wound on a cylindrical core pipe wherein the fiber wind angle varies across the axial length of the module in one or more layers. In one embodiment, the wind angle of the fibers in the tubesheet region differs (is smaller) than the wind angle in the active region of the module. However, in any embodiment of Giglia, the diameter of the module at the tubesheet is essentially the same as the diameter of the tubesheet. Thus, much of the area of the potting in the tubesheet is occupied by fiber ends. Therefore, the integrity of the tubesheet is compromised by this construction. Additionally, the feed gas pressure drop will be higher in this case due to the greater length of inactive fiber. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    One aspect of the invention is to provide for an improved module design that overcomes the above-described deficiencies or overcomes some of the limitations of the prior art. In this case hollow fibers are wound around a core. However we have unexpectedly discovered that the teachings of Bikson in U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,955 and Giglia of U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,033 of requiring the fibers to be of essentially equal length are not required in our invention. For example, 2 modules were manufactured, one with a fiber active length variation of 13% and one with a 70% variation. Both modules contained approximately 1875 square centimeters of active surface area. Each module was used to dry air at various pressures and what we found was that the performance of these modules was nearly identical even though the length variation between the two was a factor of nearly 6. The current state of the art of membrane module design teaches the need to avoid maldistribution of flow of both the feed gas and the sweep gas, and thus a module with a 70% length variation of the fibers would have been expected to have a lesser performance than a module with a 13% length variation. Again, in our invention, we have unexpectedly found the large variation in fiber length not to reduce performance of the module. 
         [0010]    In laminar flow. the relative amount of flow going through a fiber is inversely related to its relative length. This is because the pressure drop of each fiber is the same and the pressure drop is proportional to the product of the volumetric flow and the length. For example if a module contained two fibers, one 1 foot long and the second one 10 feet long, the flow in the 10 foot long fiber would be 10% of the flow of the 1 foot long fiber. In turbulent flow, the pressure drop is proportional to the product of the velocity to approximately the 1.75 power times the length. In this turbulent case, the volumetric flow in the 10 foot long fiber would be about 27% of the flow in the 1 foot fiber. Certainly in our module with a length variation of 6, each fiber did not receive the same amount of feed flow, yet the difference in performance of the two modules was insignificant. 
         [0011]    Additionally, in our module design we are not limited by the wind angle as indicated by Bikson U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,955 at col. 8, lines 53-60. In all of the prior art relating to helically wound modules, the wind angle in the active area region is constant within a layer of fibers in going from one end of the bundle to the other. With a low wind angle maintained in the tubesheet area, this would result in a significant amount of inactive fiber in the tubesheet, which adds to the amount of membrane used, an increase in capital cost of the module, and adds to the lumen and shell side pressure drops and an increase in the operating cost of the module. Additionally this reduces the tubesheet strength and would then require a larger tubesheet dimension, further increasing the membrane requirement and cost. 
       EXAMPLE 1 
       [0012]    Helically wound bore-side feed internal sweep membrane air dryer modules were manufactured according to the parameters in the Table 1. The hollow fibers used were manufactured using the dry-wet phase inversion process. Water, a coagulant, was used as the bore fluid and a polymer solution containing solvent and non-solvent was pumped into the annulus of the hollow fiber spinneret. The fiber was processed according to procedures known in the art and then used to manufacture the modules. The resulting asymmetric porous hollow fiber was then coated on its inner diameter with a hydrophilic polymer. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Module Design Parameters 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Average 
                 Standard 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Length 
                 Active Length 
                 Deviation in 
                 Active Surface 
               
               
                   
                 Variation 
                 (cm) 
                 Length (cm) 
                 Area (cm 2 ) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Module A 
                 13% 
                 172.2 
                 6.05 
                 1874 
               
               
                 Module B 
                 70% 
                 171.8 
                 29.4 
                 1878 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0013]    During this winding process, a cylindrical core was used and the angle at which the fiber was laid down was increased in the vicinity of the tubesheet region on each end of the module such that the diameter of the fiber bundle was reduced in the tubesheet region. For each module, the diameter of the bundle near the tubesheet was about 1.1 inches, the diameter of the bundle near the midline of the module was 1.4 inches and the core used was 0.9 inches in diameter. Thus the packing fraction of the module was much less in the vicinity of the tubesheet than near the midline of the module. 
         [0014]    Both modules were tested for their ability to remove water vapor from a compressed air stream according to the data in Table 2. Chilled mirror dewpoint hygrometers were used to measure the moisture content of the compressed air streams. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Membrane Air Dryer Performance 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Percent 
               
               
                   
                 Feed 
                 Feed 
                 Sweep 
                 Product 
                 Moisture 
               
               
                   
                 Pressure 
                 Flowrate 
                 Flowrate 
                 Flowrate 
                 Vapor 
               
               
                   
                 (psig) 
                 (scfm) 
                 (scfm) 
                 (scfm) 
                 Removed 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Module A 
                 60 
                 1.27 
                 0.27 
                 1.00 
                 94.1% 
               
               
                 Module A 
                 80 
                 1.35 
                 0.35 
                 1.00 
                 98.6% 
               
               
                 Module A 
                 103.2 
                 1.44 
                 0.44 
                 1.00 
                 99.3% 
               
               
                 Module B 
                 60.1 
                 1.26 
                 0.26 
                 1.00 
                 93.7% 
               
               
                 Module B 
                 80 
                 1.35 
                 0.35 
                 1.00 
                 98.7% 
               
               
                 Module B 
                 100 
                 1.43 
                 0.43 
                 1.00 
                 99.4% 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0015]    As can be seen from the data in Table 2, the performance of the 2 modules with widely varying length variations was indistinguishable. 
         [0016]    In the present invention, we increase the wind angle near the tubesheet region (not decrease it such as in Giglia U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,033) such that the fiber enters the tubesheet more parallel to the core, and with a greatly decreased module diameter and packing fraction near the tubesheet. This feature reduces the amount of fiber within the tubesheet, reduces the pressure drop, and minimizes the parasitic loss of tubesheet integrity as a result of the presence of the fiber. 
         [0017]    A further improvement that this increase in wind angle provides is an improved penetration of the shell side gas into the fiber bundle. For a given number of fibers, the packing fraction and bed depth in the vicinity of this wind angle increase is significantly lower that in the adjacent areas. This allows for more effective penetration of the shell side gas around all the fibers and into the bundle. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment of the invention, a helically wound hollow fiber membrane module is provided comprising a core, with a plurality of helically wound layers of semi-permeable hollow fibers wound on the core, wherein the fiber wind angle is essentially constant within one or more layers along the axial length of the module, except in one or both end or tubesheet regions, where the wind angle is increased, in at least some of the layers, relative to the essentially constant wind angle, to produce an area of decreasing diameter and packing fraction. 
         [0019]    In an internal sweep module, where maximum tubesheet integrity is required, embedding the impervious wrap into the tubesheet would create a discontinuity in the tubesheet material and could create a failure surface in the tubesheet material. In order to provide the necessary strength a module manufacturer would have to increase the depth of the tubesheet into the fiber bundle. While this could be done, this also would increase the amount of inactive fiber area which would increase the cost of the module. In our invention, we would not embed the impervious wrap in the tubesheet. We would instead leave a gap between the end of the tubesheet and beginning of the impervious wrap and provide for a seal between the impervious wrap and the module shell. This could be done for instance by filling this gap with a expanding polyurethane foam, wrapping closed cell foam gasket around the bundle, or using any other material that fills the annular space and prevents the shell side sweep air from bypassing the fibers. 
         [0020]    The shell side sweep air may leave the module simply through a hole in the shell or it could be collected in the core opposite the shell side sweep air injection area using passageways into the core interior in the same manner as which the shell side sweep air is injected. 
         [0021]    Another aspect of the invention is to provide for an improved external sweep module design that overcomes the above-described deficiencies or overcomes some of the limitations of the prior art. As with the internal sweep module, it was found that with the external sweep module there was no requirement for the fibers to be of essentially equal length. This is an unexpected result in view of Bikson U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,955. 
         [0022]    It was also found that in the external sweep module, as in the internal sweep module, as discussed hereinabove, the increase in wind angle provides an improved penetration of the sweep gas into the fiber bundle. For a given number of fibers, the packing fraction and bed depth in the vicinity of this wind angle increase is significantly lower that in the adjacent areas. This allows for more effective penetration of the sweep gas around all the fibers and into the bundle. For the impervious wrap, we do not embed it in either tubesheet, but rather, create a seal between the wrap and the shell using the methods described above. 
         [0023]    Thus, an object of the invention is to provide a hollow fiber membrane module having the required structural integrity for all gas drying and gas transfer applications by providing a helically wound fiber module having a reduced fiber bundle diameter in the tubesheet region, with wide variations in fiber length, where needed. 
         [0024]    Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, wherein like reference characters show corresponding parts in the several views. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is an elevational, sectional, view of a construction embodying the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is an end view of the construction shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a construction similar to the construction shown in  FIG. 1 , and having the tubesheets shown. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3A  is an end view of the construction shown in  FIG. 3   
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of an internal sweep, bore-side feed, hollow fiber membrane module, having sweep collection in the core, and embodying the construction of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of an internal sweep, bore-side feed, hollow fiber membrane module embodying the construction of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of an external sweep, bore-side feed, hollow fiber membrane module embodying the construction of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the construction shown in  FIG. 4 . mounted in a module housing. 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  is an exploded, perspective, view of the construction shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 9  is an elevational, sectional view of a reverse flow hollow fiber membrane module mounted in a housing and using part of the dehydrated gas as a sweep gas. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0035]    The term “wind-angle” is defined with regard to the module in a horizontal position. With this reference the wind-angle X is defined as the angle at which the fiber is laid across the module with respect to the vertical axis. Fibers wound at a 90° wind-angle, for example, would be parallel and straight from end to end in the module such as shown in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,585,808 and 6,616,735. 
         [0036]    A “layer of fibers” is defined as those fiber(s) that are layed down in the operation of helically winding the fibers in going from one end of the module to the other end of the module. The return of the fibers to the first end would then constitute a separate layer of fiber. 
         [0037]    The “core” is defined as a solid or hollow axially extending body of a desired cross-section. Although the core is sometimes illustrated herein as a hollow cylinder of circular cross-section, other cross-sections, such as square, elliptical, triangular, or the like, are well within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0038]    The methods by which hollow fibers are wound around a core are well established in the art, as are the methods and materials used to form tubesheets and methods to sever the tubesheets to expose the hollow fiber bores. 
         [0039]    Commercially available winding apparatus is available for wrapping the hollow fiber membranes of the invention such as those manufactured by CMC of Salt Lake City, Utah. However, any commercially available winding apparatus may be used as long as the ratio of traverse (fiber lay down) speed to spindle (module) rotation speed can be controlled. A computer control of these parameters is preferred, but not necessary. 
         [0040]    It is preferred that the diameter of the hollow fibers used in the present invention is approximately 500 microns in diameter, but any fiber diameter may be used, depending on the application requirements. Depending upon the intended use, one selects hollow fibers having the appropriate chemical structure, dimensions, and pore diameter sizes. Preparation of such hollow fibers are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and one can use either a dense wall, porous, asymmetric, or composite membrane in constructing the hollow fiber membrane gas dehydration apparatus of the present invention. The material of which the hollow fibers are made will depend upon the particular application. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , there is shown a hollow fiber membrane module  20  embodying the construction of the present invention. The module  20  comprises a core  21  having a hollow membrane fiber  22  helically wound on the ore  21  until the desired diameter D of the module is reached, except for the diameter in the first end region RD 1 , which will decrease from a diameter D to a diameter less than D. If a second region of reduced diameter RD 2  is desired, it may be provided at the other end of the module  20  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . It should be understood that both embodiments, as well as any other embodiments having additional regions of reduced diameter, are well within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0042]    In order to produce such a construction, the hollow membrane fiber  22  is laid on the core  21 . The rate of traverse of the fiber  22  will vary depending on the region the fiber is being laid. In end region ER 1  or ER 2 , the rate of traverse is approximately six (6) inches per second. In the central or active region the rate is approximately one (1) inch per second, thus, the rate of lay down in an end region is much larger than in a central region. A ratio of 6 to 1. 
         [0043]    It can be understood that the ratio of lay down can vary widely depending on the application and still be acceptable as long as the ratio of lay down in the end regions increases sufficiently to result in a reduction in diameter of the end region to a diameter less that the diameter D of the central or active region C. Depending on the application, the reduced diameter RD may be only somewhat less than diameter D, or may be substantially the diameter of the core. Any configuration that has a central or active region C of a constant area adjoining an area of reduced diameter RD is well within the scope of the present invention. While it is preferred that the diameter reduce uniformly from a first end adjacent the central region C to the end of the region of reduced diameter RD, other configurations are possible. 
         [0044]    It should be understood that the wind angle need not be the same for all layers of the hollow membrane fiber  22 , nor does the rate of traverse in the end region(s) (R 1 , R 2 ) need to vary in all layers. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 3A , after the core is wound to the desired dimensions, the tubesheet(s)  24  are potted on. Any of the methods of potting on tubesheet(s), and any potting material known in the art may be used in producing the present invention. The potting material may vary depending on the application. After the tubesheet(s)  24  are cured, they are cut, exposing the fiber lumen. Since the fiber  22  was wound at an angle, and the tubesheet(s)  24  were cut off flat, the lumens  23  are somewhat elliptical in shape, although this is difficult to see in  FIG. 3a . 
         [0046]    It is preferable, for improved flow, that the tubesheet(s)  24  do not cover the entire reduced diameter region. Any area not covered by the tubesheet(s) RDAA is an active area, and will count for purposes of computation of fiber length. 
         [0047]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4-6 , the module so produced can be used to produce either an interior sweep bore side feed module with  27 , or without  28 , sweep collection in the core, or an external sweep, bore side feed, module  29 . In either case, it is necessary to wrap the fiber bundle produced in an impervious wrap  31  for purposes to be explained hereinafter. It is important for the internal sweep bore side feed modules  27 ,  28  that the entire module between the tubesheet(s)  24  be covered with this wrap, except on one end which is to be opposite the sweep inlet in the module. Alternatively for increased tubesheet strength, the impervious wrap may cover the entire fiber bundle except in active area adjacent the tubesheet(s). In this case, a seal  32  would be placed between the impervious wrap and the shell. 
         [0048]    It is important to the present invention that the impervious wrap not be imbedded in the tubesheet(s)  24  but be sealed instead to the shell, which may be done by any method known in the art such as by imbedding the wrap between the tubesheet and the shell, or providing a gasket or other seal between the tubesheet and the shell. 
         [0049]    In the internal sweep module  28 , optionally there may be placed a seal  32  between the wrap and the shell. The core  21  is provided with a plurality of sweep holes  40  proximate the tubesheet(s)  24  to provide for the entry of sweep gas through the sweep orifice  33 . 
         [0050]    Because of the impervious wrap  31 , and optionally because of the seal  32 , the sweep gas entering through the sweep orifice  31  will travel through the helically wound fibers  24  until it reaches the distal end  31 A of the impervious wrap after, which it will exit out of the sweep hole to atmosphere or other pressure depending upon the application. Since the module is sealed in the shell, the sweep gas is constrained to exit at the sweep hole  40 . 
         [0051]    The wet feed gas coming in the lumens  23  embedded in the first tubesheet  24 A will travel through the lumens of the helically wound fiber and exit out the module at the end opposite the sweep entry because of the counter current flow arrangement of the module. It should be understood that co-current flow configurations can also be used in which case the dry gas would enter at the same end of the module as the sweep gas entry. 
         [0052]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown the use of the present invention to produce an external sweep, bore side feed, hollow fiber membrane module. In this embodiment of the present invention the module  20  may be wound identically to the module shown in  FIG. 3 , but the impervious wrap, now identified by the numeral  39  for clarity, is open for a predetermined distance at each end of the module. 
         [0053]    It is preferred that the impervious wrap end in the region of the sweep holes  40 , but this is not necessary. If desired an orifice can be placed in the sweep inlet circuit to limit the flow of sweep gas through the exterior sweep module  29 . Wet gas will enter the first plenum  46 , pass through the lumens  23  of the fibers  22  and exit out the second and dry gas will exit out the second plenum  44 . 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , typically a module  20 ,  29  is mounted in a module housing generally designated by the numeral  50 . The shell  25  may serve as the tubular portion  51  of the housing  50  or the module  20  including the shell  25  may slip inside the tubular portion  51  of the housing  50 . In either construction, a pair of endcaps  53  will be sealingly connected to the tubular portion  51  of the housing to form the housing assembly  55 . There will be an inlet  57  by which the wet gas to be dehydrated enters the module assembly  55 , and an outlet  59  by which the dehydrated gas will leave. Inside each endcap  53  will be a plenum  44  (not shown). The configuration of the tubular portion  51  and endcaps  53  will vary depending on which type of module  27 - 29  is being used. 
         [0055]    An exploded view of the housing assembly  55  is shown in  FIG. 8 . The housing assembly  55  comprises a module housing  50  having sweep openings and sweep outlets. Endcaps  53  screw onto the end of the module housing  50  to seal the hollow membrane module  20  having tubesheets  24  into the housing. The endcaps  53  need not screw onto the tubular portion, but can be affixed by adhesive, sonic welding, or other means known in the art. 
         [0056]    The impervious wrap  31  (not shown in this view) is sealed to the housing by the gasket  32 . A plenum  44  is provided interiorly of endcap  53  to admit the wet gas to be dehydrated through inlet  57 . The wet gas enters the inlet plenum  44 A, passes through the lumens  23  of the fibers  22 , and exits out the other end of the hollow fiber membrane module  20  into the exit plenum  44 B, and therethrough, to the outlet  59 . 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , there is shown an example of a helically wound bundle that is placed in a housing such that the inlet and outlet compressed gas port are in alignment such as in typical inline filter housings used for example in the coalescing of aerosols. For ease of illustration, the tubesheet(s)  24  are not shown and straight fibers having a wind angle of 90° are illustrated. The hollow membrane module  20  having hollow fibers  22  and tubesheet(s)  24  (not shown) is placed inside of shell  25 . The impervious wrap  31  is sealed to the shell  25  by seal  32 . If desired, a self-expanding foam  36  may be introduced through an opening (not shown) to further seal the impervious wrap  31  to the shell  25 . 
         [0058]    The hollow fiber membrane module  20  has a pair of modified endcaps identified by the numerals  62  and  63 , which allows it to be mounted inside a filter housing  60  having a housing inlet  64  and a housing outlet  65 . The wet gas to be dehydrated enters the housing inlet  64  and passes through the opening  62 A in the first endcap  62 , passes through the lumens  23  of the fibers  22  and exits through the lumens  23  adjacent the endcap  63  which is especially constructed to deflect and return most gas through the core  21  and out the first endcap  62  into the housing outlet  65 . However, a portion of the dry gas is allowed to pass through the special sweep inlet  68 , where it passes around the fibers  22 , under the impervious wrap  20 , and out the special sweep outlet holes  69  and out the housing sweep outlet  70 . 
         [0059]    By carefully considering the problems in the art, an improved hollow fiber membrane module has been provided.