Membrana-Charlotte, a leading membrane and degassing device manufacturer, is pleased to introduce the new 14in x 40in Liqui-Cel® membrane contactor to its product family. The introduction of this deaeration product extends the Liqui-Cel® product line’s capacity from 400gpm to 550gpm (125m3) in a single device. This represents a >30% increase in capacity and makes the 14in x 40in the largest membrane contactor degassing device available in the world. Larger flow rates are handled by piping multiple contactors together in parallel.
The additional capacity allows degassing systems to be built using fewer contactors and connections, resulting in a smaller footprint with a lower capital expense. Additionally, due to the increased membrane area, radial flow velocity is reduced resulting in a low pressure drop for this design.
The 14in x 40in membrane contactor utilizes a polypropylene hollow fiber and durable PVC housing. The module contains 4,015ft2 (373m2) of membrane area. The pressure rating is 4.1 bar (60 psig) making it especially suited for industrial degassing applications with stringent capacity requirements. The product is NSF/ANSI 61 compliant.
Liqui-Cel® membrane contactors offer a modular degassing option for many applications and they can be put in virtually any area. They are rapidly displacing forced draft deaerators and vacuum towers as the leading deaeration product of choice in new systems as well as many older ones.
Membrane contactors utilize thousands of Celgard® microporous hollow fibers knitted into an array that is wound around a distribution tube with a central baffle. During operation, the liquid flows over the shellside (outside) of the hollow fibers. The patented Extra-Flow design incorporates a baffle in the middle of the contactor, which directs the liquid radially across the array. A strip gas or vacuum, either separately or in combination, is applied on the lumenside (inside) of the hollow fibers.
Because of its hydrophobic nature, the membrane acts as an inert support to allow direct contact between a gas and liquid phase without dispersion. The dissolved gas in the liquid travels through the pore by applying a higher pressure to the liquid stream relative to the gas stream.
Liqui-Cel®, MicroModule®, MiniModule®, and SuperPhobic® membrane contactors are used around the world for adding or removing oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2) to or from different liquids in digital printing, analytical / biotechnology, semiconductor, power, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and many other industries. For example, O2 negatively impacts many processes; it is corrosive and can oxidize materials. In the power and industrial areas, piping and equipment are susceptible to corrosion. Specifically to the semiconductor and ink market, high levels of dissolved gases can cause lower yields and slower process speeds.
Liqui-Cel® contactors are also used to add gasses to liquids to enhance megasonic cleaning. The beverage industry looks to membrane contactors for carbonation, nitrogenation and deoxygenation. These reflect only a few examples of the variety of applications where Membrana membrane contactors are used. Membrana’s Filtration Group also manufactures a variety of membranes and devices used for filtration in various industries and applications.
Membrana-Charlotte is a division of Celgard of Charlotte, North Carolina, and is a Polypore company. Polypore International is a global high technology filtration company specializing in microporous membranes. Polypore’s flat sheet and hollow fiber membranes are used in specialized applications that require the removal or separation of various materials from liquids, primarily in the ultrafiltration and microfiltration markets. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Polypore International is a global leader with manufacturing facilities or sales offices in nine countries serving six continents.
Liqui-Cel®, SuperPhobic®, MiniModule®, and MicroModule® are registered trademarks of Membrana-Charlotte, a Division of Celgard.