Tube end connector and zeolite separation membrane element

Abstract

A pipe end connector which connects a first tubular member to a second tubular member while securing sealing properties. The pipe end connector is characterized by comprising: a heat-shrinkable tube ( 4 b ) made of Teflon (registered trademark) with which the outer surface of an end part of a ceramic tube ( 1 ) having a zeolite film attached thereto and the outer surface of an end part of a metallic tube ( 5 ) are covered while keeping the end part of the ceramic tube ( 1 ) having a zeolite film attached thereto being connected to the end part of the metallic tube ( 5 ); and a heat-shrinkable fluororubber tube ( 3 b ) which is disposed between the outer surfaces of the ceramic tube ( 1 ) having a zeolite film attached thereto and of the metallic tube ( 5 ) and the heat-shrinkable tube ( 4 b ) and which has solvent resistance and the property of swelling in solvents.

1 . Tube end connector which comprises:
 a covering member which covers both outer surface of an end portion of a first tubular member and outer surface of an end portion of a second tubular member in conditions of connecting the end portion of the first tubular member and the end portion of the second tubular member, and   a member which is placed at the region between the covering member and the outer surfaces both of the first tubular member and the second tubular member, and which has solvent resistance and swelling property to solvent.   
   
   
       2 . Tube end connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the first tubular member is a zeolite separation membrane in which zeolite crystals are formed on a porous member, and the second tubular member is a metallic tube. 
   
   
       3 . Tube end connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the second tubular member is replaced with an approximately circular cylindrical member. 
   
   
       4 . Tube end connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the volume increment ratio due to swelling of said member is not less than 2% and not more than 15%. 
   
   
       5 . Tube end connector according to  claim 1 , wherein said member shows thermal resistivity in the temperature range of 50-200° C. 
   
   
       6 . Tube end connector according to  claim 1 , wherein said member comprises a first member and second members which are arranged at each side of the first member, wherein the second members are located at sides apart from the jointing portion of the first tubular member and the second tubular member. 
   
   
       7 . Tube end connector according to  claim 1 , wherein said member comprises a heat-shrinkable fluororubber tube or a heat-shrinkable flexible fluorine resin tube. 
   
   
       8 . Tube end connector according to  claim 6 , wherein the first member comprises a heat-shrinkable fluororubber tube, and the second member comprises a heat-shrinkable flexible fluorine resin tube. 
   
   
       9 . Tube end connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the covering member bears a force capable of contracting toward the inside of the covering member. 
   
   
       10 . Tube end connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the covering member comprises a thermally shrinkable tube. 
   
   
       11 . Zeolite separation membrane element which comprises:
 a zeolite separation membrane in which zeolite crystals are formed on a tubular porous support,   metal tubes which are placed so as to be jointed to each end of the zeolite separation membrane,   a covering member which covers both outer surface of each end portion of the zeolite separation membrane and outer surface of an end portion of each metal tube, in conditions of jointing each end portion of the zeolite separation membrane and the end portion of each metal tube, respectively, and   a member which is placed at the region between the covering member and the outer surfaces both of the zeolite separation membrane and the metal tubes, and which has solvent resistance and swelling property to solvent.   
   
   
       12 . Tube end connector according to  claim 2 , wherein the second tubular member is replaced with an approximately circular cylindrical member.