Scalable immersed-filtration method and apparatus

Abstract

A method and apparatus for filtering a large volume fluid intake system using a modular immersed-filtration array that can be easily scaled for use in a wide variety of immersion filtering applications. The immersed-filtration array is composed of a plurality of individual filtration modules. Each filtration module has a mating end that allows the module to be coupled with a base unit or plenum via a common interface port located on the base unit. The array can be scaled in a plurality of ways.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to filtration systems, and more particularly to filtration systems at a large volume of fluid intake.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Large volume fluid intake systems are used for generating hydroelectric power, providing cooling water for manufacturing and power generation plants, providing irrigation and potable water supplies, and providing source water for desalinization plants. In the U.S. alone, these systems take in more than 200 billion gallons of fluid per day. Unfortunately, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates, these fluid intake systems remove billions of aquatic organisms from the water bodies in which they are used, including fish, crustaceans, shellfish, sea turtles, marine mammals, as well as a plethora of other aquatic life forms.[0003]Eggs and larvae of fish (commonly referred to as ichthyoplankton) are particularly sensitive to large volume fluid intake systems because they hav...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The modular filtration system significantly reduces ichthyoplankton entrainment and impingement rates while maintaining high fluid processing capacity, achieving compliance with environmental regulations and minimizing ecological impact.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates, these fluid intake systems remove billions of aquatic organisms from the water bodies in which they are used, including fish, crustaceans, shellfish, sea turtles, marine mammals, as well as a plethora of other aquatic life forms.

Fluid intake systems negatively impact aquatic life in two major ways: entrainment and impingement.

Disadvantageously, these systems are prone to clogging, and require frequent and costly upkeep to maintain their intake function.

Disadvantageously, this system is labor intensive and costly to install, as well as difficult to maintain.

However, the filter cartridge of the '454 patent was not heretofore used in such a fluid intake filtering application.

On the contrary, the filter cartridge of the '454 patent was designed as an in-line filter for use in high pressure applications; consequently, it has aspects that are not suited for use in screening large volume fluid intake systems.

Additionally, because of the high pressures involved in this filtering application (and correspondingly high values of Vi), the mounting flanges contain narrow diameter fluid connectors for moving the filtrate between the two chambers of the vessel (FIG. 1, 26), and such connectors would not be suitable for an application using lower values of Vi (e.g. cooling water intake for a power plant).

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