Development of the Structure Optimization Program for a Membrane module

Abstract

The structure optimization system to which the genetic algorithm was applied for the computer-aided design of a gas separation module was developed. A system consists of three engine and they are creation of the structure of a separation module, calculation of a hydrogen recovery rate, and optimization of a modular structure. It treats the various structure parameters of a separation module as a variable, and makes discreteness ability of a separation module an evaluation value. By extending the package of commercial computer fluid dynamics (CFD), it became possible to evaluate the performance of a gas separation module. Since the gas penetration could be treated reflecting the flow state and concentration polarization of gas, the optimization result which has not been recognized conventionally was able to be obtained. It suggests that this shortens the performance evaluation in a structure design, and can be contributed to development period shortening of manufacture equipment.