3M Liqui-Cel operating manual

Summary

Product identification

The 3M™ Liqui-Cel™ Extra-Flow Membrane Contactors are designed to add or remove dissolved gases from non-dangerous liquid streams. These membrane contactors utilize thousands of microporous polypropylene hollow fibers, which are hydrophobic, preventing liquid from penetrating the membrane pores.

Available product sizes include:

• 2.5 x 8
• 4 x 13
• 4 x 28
• 6 x 28
• 8 x 20
• 8 x 40
• 8 x 80
• 10 x 28
• 14 x 28
• 14 x 40

The 10 x 28 high purity, 14 x 28, and 14 x 40 industrial products carry a CE mark (Category 1 per PED 97/23/EC). Other industrial contactors (2.5 x 8, 4 x 13, 4 x 28, 6 x 28, 8 x 20, 8 x 40, 8 x 80, and 10 x 28) are manufactured with Sound Engineering Practice and do not require a CE mark due to their size, pressures, and volumes.

Operating limits

• Operating Temperature and Pressure: Do not exceed maximum operating pressure or temperature limits. Never exceed liquid temperature or pressure limits.
• Storage Temperature: Dry membrane contactors should be stored at temperatures < 49° C (120° F) with low to moderate humidity levels (<60% relative humidity).
• Membrane Exposure: Do not expose the membrane to air when liquid or gas temperatures exceed 35° C (95° F).
• Cleaning Pressure Differential: For 2.5x8-inch, 4-inch, and 10-inch membrane contactors, lumen side pressure should never exceed shell side pressure during cleaning.
• Transmembrane Pressure: Do not allow transmembrane pressure differentials to exceed recommended limits.
• Liquid vs. Gas Pressure: Liquid pressure should always exceed gas pressure inside the contactor.
• Sweep Gas Pressure: Gas supply pressure to contactors in sweep gas mode should be regulated to < 0.7 kg/cm² (< 10 psig, 0.69 bar). In Combo mode, regulate gas supply pressure at < 0.07 kg/cm² (< 1 psig, 0.069 bar).
• Oxidizing Species: Avoid contact with oxidizing species such as ozone, chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, etc., to prevent membrane oxidation.
  • Chlorine Limits:
    • Combo (N₂ Sweep): < 1 ppm (Suggested < 0.5 ppm)
    • Air Combo: < 0.1 ppm (Suggested < 0.05 ppm)
    • Air Sweep: 0 ppm
    • Vacuum Only: < 1 ppm (Suggested < 0.5 ppm)
  • Air temperature for sweep gas should not exceed 35° C (95° F).
• Surfactants/Solvents: Avoid contact with surfactants and organic solvents with low surface tension (e.g., alcohols) when using polypropylene X-40, X-50, and XIND membrane to prevent membrane wet-out.
• Storage Environment: Membrane contactors should not be stored where exposed to direct sunlight. Store in sealed bags or shrink wrap material and in the original or other opaque box.

Feed water

• Filtration: General filtration guidelines are available in the official PDF.
• Cleaning Solution Preparation: Filtered, de-chlorinated, and deionized water is recommended for mixing cleaning solutions.
• Precipitation Risks: Water containing sparingly soluble compounds of Ca, Mg, Fe, Al, etc., and SiO₂ may precipitate onto the membrane surface if there is a pH shift.
• Oxidizing Agent Removal: It is recommended to remove free chlorine, ozone, and any other oxidizing species from water prior to the Liqui-Cel® Membrane Contactor. Membrane contactors should generally be located upstream of UV and ozonation process steps.

Product water

• Dissolved Oxygen Concentration (Vacuum Mode):
  • Conditions: Two 4x28, X-40 contactors in series, Flow rate 20 gpm (4.5 m³/hr), Temperature 77°F (25°C). Inlet dissolved oxygen and nitrogen levels based on normal air-saturation conditions.
  • Vacuum Level (absolute gas pressure, assuming 760 mm Hg atmospheric pressure) and Outlet Concentration (typical), ppb:
    • 26 in. Hg (100 mm Hg): 1345 ppb
    • 27 in. Hg (74 mm Hg): 1015 ppb
    • 28 in. Hg (50 mm Hg): 560 ppb
    • 28.5 in. Hg (36 mm Hg): 345 ppb

Electrical

• Grounding: Electrical connections must be properly grounded.
• Power Supply: Always use a grounded power supply of the appropriate voltage matching the system’s vacuum pump or blower voltage, with 15 amp fuse protection and a local disconnect switch.
• Code Compliance: Verify the appropriate electrical connection with local electrical codes and replace plugs as necessary.

Mechanical / hydraulic

• Mounting: Contactors can be mounted vertically or horizontally.
• Contactor Types:
  • Extra-Flow: Uses a central baffle to force liquids radially over the fiber array; liquid flows on the outside (shell side) of the hollow fibers.
  • High Pressure: Similar to Extra-Flow but with a different housing concept for high-pressure applications (e.g., 8 x 40 and 8 x 80-inch contactors).
  • Radial: Uses a center tube with no direct outlet to force liquids radially across the fiber array (e.g., 1 x 3 and 2 x 6 SuperPhobic® Contactors).
  • MiniModule™: Liquid flows inside of the hollow fiber (lumen side).
  • MicroModule™: Liquid flows on the shell side.
• Piping Design (Vacuum/Combo Mode):
  • Vacuum line piping size must be designed for vacuum service.
  • Minimize air leaks by carefully using threads, pipe dope, and pipe tape.
  • Avoid long piping runs and loops; minimize elbows.
  • Vacuum manifold must handle the vapor load of the entire system.
  • Outlet gas piping should be sloped down and away from the contactors to drain condensation.
• Support: All plastic port extensions should be supported to prevent bending. The bolt flange that attaches end caps should not be used to support the weight of 14-inch contactors.
• Pressure Relief: Installation of proper pressure relief valves is necessary to prevent over-pressurization of liquid and gas.
• Membrane Failure Protection:
  • A low pressure alarm switch or flow switch at the water outlet is recommended.
  • A liquid trap and a high vacuum pressure switch are recommended for the vacuum line in vacuum or combo mode to protect downstream equipment like vacuum pumps.
• Sweep Gas Flow Rates (for CO₂ Removal, Air Sweep-Only Mode):
  • Contactor size and typical flow rate (scfm / Nm³/hr):
    • 2.5 x 8: 0.25 – 1.25 scfm / 0.4 – 2.0 Nm³/hr
    • 4 x 13: 1 – 5 scfm / 1.6 – 7.9 Nm³/hr
    • 4 x 28: 1 – 10 scfm / 1.6 – 15.8 Nm³/hr
    • 6 x 28: 2 – 10 scfm / 3.2 – 15.8 Nm³/hr
    • 8 x 20 PVC: 3 – 15 scfm / 4.7 – 23.7 Nm³/hr
    • 8 x 20 SS: Not Applicable
    • 8 x 40: 5 – 20 scfm / 7.9 – 31.7 Nm³/hr
    • 8 x 80: Not Recommended
    • 10 x 28: 5 – 30 scfm / 7.9 – 47.5 Nm³/hr
    • 14 x 28: 10 – 50 scfm / 15.8 – 79.1 Nm³/hr
    • 14 x 40: Not Recommended
• Sweep Gas Filter (Sweep Gas Mode): A 0.2-micron filter is recommended for high purity applications; a 1.0-micron filter is typically sufficient for industrial applications.
• Combo Mode (Sweep-Assisted Vacuum) Typical Sweep Ranges:
  • Air Sweep (Nm³/hr / scfm):
    • 2.5 x 8: 0.1 – 0.4 / 0.05 – 0.25
    • 4 x 13: 0.3 – 1.6 / 0.2 – 1
    • 4 x 28: 0.3 – 3.2 / 0.2 – 2
    • 6 x 28: 0.6 – 3.2 / 0.4 – 2
    • 8 x 20 PVC: 0.8 – 7.9 / 0.5 – 5
    • 8 x 20 SS: Not Applicable
    • 8 x 40: 1.6 – 6.3 / 1 – 4
    • 8 x 80: Not Recommended
    • 10 x 28: 3.2 – 15.8 / 2 – 10
    • 14 x 28: 4.7 – 23.7 / 3 – 15
    • 14 x 40: Not Recommended
  • Nitrogen Sweep (Nm³/hr / scfm):
    • 2.5 x 8: 0.03 – 0.16 / 0.02 – 0.1
    • 4 x 13: 0.2 – 0.8 / 0.1 – 0.5
    • 4 x 28: 0.2 – 1.6 / 0.1 – 1
    • 6 x 28: 0.2 – 1.6 / 0.1 – 1
    • 8 x 20 PVC: Not Applicable
    • 8 x 20 SS: 0.3 – 1.6 / 0.2 – 1
    • 8 x 40: 0.6 – 1.3 / 0.4 – 0.8
    • 8 x 80: 0.8 – 1.6 / 0.5 – 1
    • 10 x 28: 0.6 – 1.6 / 0.4 – 1
    • 14 x 28: 0.8 – 1.6 / 0.5 – 1
    • 14 x 40: Not Recommended
• Minimum and Maximum Contactor Flow Rates, Pressure Guidelines for various contactor sizes, and Contactor Weights for System Fabrication are discussed in the original document, but specific values are not legible in the provided text. See the official PDF for exact tabulated values.

Disclaimer

This summary is based on the provided text extract and may not include all figures, footnotes, or the latest revisions from the complete OEM PDF datasheet. For contractual data and comprehensive information, the specific OEM PDF revision used on the project must be consulted.

Official datasheet (PDF)

PDF datasheet