SEPARATION OF THE AIR COMPONENTS USING A PHYSICAL METHOD WITH HOLLOW FIBRE-MEMBRANES.

The plant can easily be employed for controlled atmosphere preservation of fruit, vegetables, cereals and for the food industry where it is necessary to eliminate oxygen in the processes of tinning and bottling of products which are subject to oxidizing. Enriched oxygen can furthermore be used for increasing the efficiency of procedures which imply oxidizing or combustion.

The system uses cylindrical modules which contain a quantity of hollow fibres. The compressed air, conveyed to the cylinders under pressure, will be distributed over the fibres.

Fast gas, like oxygen, carbon dioxide and steam, permeate rapidly through the hollow fibres, reaching the final modules of the tank.Since nitrogen does not permeate easily, it passes by the fibres, getting out separately.

ADVANTAGES

Complete reliability because of the simple structure of the system. No need of fuel or process catalysts with consequent risk of CO-CO2-C2H4-SO2-NOx forming. No need of cooling water or washing. No safety regulations to observe; possibility of installation in every kind of premises. High cost reduction, as against purchasing liquid nitrogen in bottles. Standard modular production from 30 to 300 m3/h with O2 - residuals which can be limited to 0,5%.