Harnessing the high gas permeability of silicone rubber membranes, our modules are widely used in water treatment, gas separation, and other applications.
The system operates with a simple mechanism: liquid or mixed gas flows on one side of the membrane, while the other side is either pressurized with a specific gas or placed under vacuum. This allows for efficient gas separation and liquid treatment with ease.
At 20°C, water typically contains around 8 ppm of dissolved oxygen and 15 ppm of dissolved nitrogen. The concentration of dissolved gases depends on both the atmospheric gas composition and the solubility of gases in water.
Membrane degassing is a simple process that involves passing water on one side of the membrane while applying vacuum pressure on the other side. This compact system is well-suited for small-scale water treatment, making it applicable across a wide range of industries.
In addition to degassing in food and pharmaceutical applications, it is also used in biochemical analyzers for blood analysis and inkjet printing systems.
Membrane-based gas injection is a simple process that involves flowing water through the inner side of a hollow fiber membrane while pressurizing the desired gas on the outer side.
This method has long been used in the medical field for artificial lung applications and in the pharmaceutical industry as a gas exchanger for animal cell culture systems.
Additionally, it is widely applied in oxygen and carbon dioxide supply membranes for aerobic wastewater treatment and algae cultivation. Its compact design also makes it suitable for small-scale water treatment applications, such as hydrogen-rich drinking water and carbonated water production systems.
Maintaining a high O₂ concentration in the liquid while efficiently removing CO₂ is essential for maximizing biological function in large-scale animal cell cultivation. Since animal cells are highly sensitive to mechanical stress, including damage from bursting gas bubbles, a static O₂ supply method is required.
Nagasep membranes provide several key advantages. Their non-porous, homogeneous structure prevents bacterial contamination, while their ability to supply O₂ without generating bubbles ensures a gentle environment for cells. Additionally, their high heat resistance allows for autoclave sterilization, making them highly reliable for biotechnological applications.
The system facilitates gas exchange (O₂, CO₂) by continuously circulating the culture medium between the bioreactor and the membrane module. Depending on the process requirements, either an internal perfusion module, where liquid flows inside the hollow fiber membrane, or an external perfusion module with liquid flowing outside, can be used.
Membrane-based gas separation utilizes the principle that when a mixed gas is introduced on one side of the membrane and a lower pressure is applied on the opposite side, specific gases selectively permeate through the membrane. Separation membranes are generally classified into porous membranes and non-porous membranes (homogeneous or heterogeneous types). Nagasep membranes belong to the homogeneous category.
Although gas molecules are extremely small (on the order of a few angstroms), they can still pass through non-porous homogeneous membranes due to the minute gaps created by the thermal motion of polymer chains. The difference in gas permeability is primarily determined by gas solubility in the membrane rather than molecular size.
Nagasep membranes can be used for CO₂ enrichment in controlled environments such as greenhouses and plant factories, as well as O₂ enrichment for applications like medical devices and combustion air enhancement. In recent years, they have also been employed in gas exchange systems for transport containers, helping to preserve the freshness of perishable goods such as fruits and vegetables.
The pervaporation process utilizes separation membranes, offering an energy-efficient and effective alternative to conventional distillation methods without requiring large-scale equipment. In this process, the feed side (inner diameter) of the membrane module is exposed to the liquid mixture, while the permeate side (outer diameter) is subjected to vacuum or sweep gas flow. This allows organic solvent molecules to pass through the membrane in vapor form, which is then cooled and condensed by a chiller for recovery. Since evaporation causes the feed liquid to cool down, a thermostatic bath maintains a constant temperature of 40–60°C.
NAGASEP membranes demonstrate excellent permeability not only for gases but also for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making it possible to efficiently separate and recover target components from aqueous solutions. For example, when a 10% low-concentration ethanol aqueous solution is passed through the membrane, ethanol vapor preferentially permeates, enabling the separation and concentration of a 60% ethanol aqueous solution on the permeate side.
NAGASEP hopes to contribute widely in the fields of environmental protection, medical care, and food hygiene around the world.
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