Hollow fiber membrane modules with transverse gas flow tailored for improved gas separation

摘要

A hollow fiber membrane gas separation module includes an elongated pressure vessel defining an interior cavity and having at least one end with a permeate exit flow region, a core of short hollow fiber membranes extending in the interior cavity, having lengths falling within a range of from 3 to 60 centimeters and being of the type for separation of gases, and external feed and retentate gas manifolds defining flow chambers and being attached to and overlying spaced side portions of the pressure vessel. The external feed and retentate manifolds permit tailoring of the transverse gas flow through the hollow fiber membranes of the core so as to improve gas separation performance of the hollow fibers.