Design of a CO2 scrubber for self-contained breathing systems using a microporous membrane

Abstract

Hollow fibre modules containing hydrophobic membranes have been assessed for their capability in the removal of carbon dioxide from a simulated breathing gas mixture. The overall mass transfer coefficients of carbon dioxide have been obtained in the gas phase. A study of mass transfer in the membrane modules indicates that the overall mass transfer coefficients, K(G), are dominated by the individual coefficients in liquid film, k(L). The correlation SH = 1.164(Re d(e)/Z)0.967Sc0.33 gives the best fit to the mass transfer data obtained in the gas phase. Finally, a method is outlined which enables a quick estimate of the design parameters of such systems.