Apparatus and method for degassing liquids

摘要

A planar degasser comprises (1) a flow plate comprising a flow channel, (2) a planar separation membrane comprising a membrane transmission section which has a first major surface and a second major surface, the flow channel being at least in part bounded by the first major surface of the membrane transmission section, (3) a supporting member which supports the second major surface of the membrane transmission section when the pressure on the first major surface is greater than the pressure on the second major surface, and (4) structural features which enable liquid to flow through the flow channel when the pressure on the first major surface is equal to or less than the pressure on the second major surface, for example when there is no longer a vacuum on the second major surface of the membrane transmission section. The structural features can for example be an open channel in the base of the flow plate, or upstanding features on the base of the flow plate, or a passageway which is closed when the vacuum is on, but open when the vacuum is off, for example a passageway having a valve which is controlled by the vacuum.

主权项

1. A planar degasser comprising
(1) a flow plate which comprises a flow plate chamber having a base, an inlet and an outlet, (2) a planar separation membrane comprising a membrane transmission section which has a first major surface and a second major surface, the first major surface of the membrane transmission section being adjacent to the base of the flow plate chamber and (3) a supporting member which is adjacent to the second major surface of the membrane transmission section;the separation membrane
(A) when the pressure on the first major surface is greater than the pressure on the second major surface, (1) contacting and being supported by the supporting member and (2) forming, with the base of the flow plate chamber, a flow channel through which a liquid to be degassed can be passed from the inlet of the flow plate chamber to the outlet of the flow plate chamber; and (B) when the pressure on the first major surface is less than the pressure on the second major surface (1), being separate from the supporting member and (2) contacting the base of the flow plate chamber;the degasser comprising at least one structural feature which, when the pressure on the first major surface is equal to or less than the pressure on the second major surface, enables a liquid to flow from the inlet of the flow plate chamber to the outlet of the flow plate chamber, the structural feature being selected from
(i) the base of the flow plate chamber comprises an open channel which connects the inlet of the flow plate chamber to the outlet of the flow plate chamber, and which enables liquid to flow from the inlet to the outlet when the pressure on the first major surface of the separation membrane is less than the pressure on the second major surface of the membrane and the separation membrane contacts the base of the flow plate chamber, (ii) the base of the flow plate chamber comprises upstanding elements which prevent the membrane from contacting the whole surface of the base of the flow plate chamber, thus enabling liquid to flow from the inlet to the outlet when the pressure on the first major surface is less than the pressure on the second major surface and the separation membrane contacts the base of the flow plate chamber, and (iii) the degasser comprises (1) a passageway which connects the inlet of the flow plate chamber to the outlet of the flow plate chamber and (2) a valve which (a) is controlled by the pressure on the separation membrane and (b) closes the passageway when the pressure on the first major surface is greater than the pressure on the second major surface and opens the passageway when the pressure on the first major surface passageway is less than the pressure on the second major surface, thus enabling liquid to flow from the inlet to the outlet when the pressure on the first major surface is less than the pressure on the second major surface and the separation membrane contacts the base of the flow plate chamber.