METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING AIR

摘要

A gas separation module (25) is disclosed for separating air into nitrogen (27) and oxygen (26) enriched fractions. The nitrogen enriched fraction 27 may be used to inert an atmosphere inside a fuel tank (32). The air is separated into nitrogen (27) and oxygen (26) enriched fractions by providing a plurality of strands of gas separation membrane wound around a core and maintaining a pressure difference across the walls of the strands of membrane. A low pressure difference of <= 30 psi maintained across the membrane is able to effect gas separation and provide highly nitrogen enriched air. The membrane has preferably been subjected to a modification technique to increase its gas permeability.