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Title: Spiral-wound permeators for purifications and recovery

Journal Article · · Chem. Eng. Prog.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5751086

Describes how cellulose acetate membrane systems, with their great selectivity and high permeation rates for gas separations, enable a modular system to process a wide range of feed flow rates. Up to 6 membrane elements are connected in series in a single, 22-ft (6.7-m) long pipe or tube. A rubber U-cup attached to the element serves to seal the element with the inner diameter of the pressure tube, thereby forcing the feed gas to flow through the element. Pressure tubes usually contain 6 elements each and are mounted in racks on a skid. Unlike hollow-fiber type systems, elements may be replaced in the field on an individual basis by operating personnel, thus enabling users to take advantage of improved membrane elements. Separex Corp. also developed a hydrogen recovery system which utilizes 4 in. (102-mm) diameter spiralwound elements to recover hydrogen from the off-gas of a UOP ''Butamer'' process in a LPG processing complex. Concludes that this process can be used in natural gas purification and dehydration, production of high-purity CO/sub 2/ for enhanced oil recovery, and purification and recovery of hydrogen in a variety of chemical and refinery applications.

Research Organization:
Separex Corp., Spectrum Separations Div, Anaheim, CA 92806
OSTI ID:
5751086
Journal Information:
Chem. Eng. Prog.; (United States), Vol. 78:10
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English