High Temperature Membrane for OBIGGS Application Honeywell High Temperature Membrane for OBIGGS Application Lisbon 11/15/2004 Jim Zhou

Outline Objectives Why high temperature membrane? Fiber spinning conditions Test results Conclusions

Why high temperature membrane? Objectives Objectives To develop a high temperature gas separation hollow fiber membrane suitable for the OBIGGS application Why high temperature membrane? Reduce the size and volume of the OBIGG system by taking advantage of higher gas permeability at higher temperatures and reduced cooling requirements at higher OBIGGS operating temperature

Membrane Material Selection Honeywell’s Innovative High Temperature Membrane High O2, N2 permeability High O2/N2 Selectivity Wet spun with very thin selective layer to increase flux Less susceptible to contaminants Large operating temperature and pressure range

Membranes and Membrane Modules Nitrogen Oxygen Water Vapor Nitrogen Oxygen and water vapor are “fast” gases which quickly permeate the membrane, allowing nitrogen to flow through the fiber bores as the product stream. Feed Air This illustration shows how fast gases like oxygen and moisture permeate the surface of the individual membrane fibers while nitrogen molecules remain inside and are delivered as the product gas.

Membranes and Membrane Modules End Plate Epoxy Tube Sheet Enriched Nitrogen Product Gas Support Core Epoxy Tube Sheet Oxygen- Enriched Air Hollow Fibers Feed Air O-Rings Thousands of individual fibers wrapped around a core make up the nitrogen generating hollow fiber membrane module. The engineering of the module is important to maximizing the performance of the whole system.

Fiber Spinning Conditions Phase inversion/Wet spinning process Pros Can produce membrane with extremely thin selective layer (Asymmetrical membrane structure) Cons Porous support layer may not be stable at high temperatures Complex spinning and solvent leaching process Membrane selectivity changes with the amount of solvent left behind

Typical Fiber Spinning Conditions Fiber spinning condition ranges Polymer dope rate: 1.2 to 2.5 g/min/per strand Speed: 75 to 250 ft/min(23 to 76 m/min) Center solvent rate: 0.5 to 2.0 ml/min Temperature: Room to 100oC Fiber ID: 100 to 160 micron Fiber OD: 150 to 300 micron

Membrane Structure Thin skin layer with porous support High gas flux

Test Results

Test Results

Test Results

Air Separation Modules

Conclusions Membrane is stable at operating temperatures up to 160C Membrane flux increase with increase temperature Membrane performance influenced by spinning conditions High temperature membrane offers advantages over conventional membranes

The Fourth Triennial International Aircraft Fire and Cabin Safety Research Conference The Fourth Triennial International Aircraft Fire and Cabin Safety Research Conference