A device for testing performance of a reverse osmosis membrane and a method of use

Abstract

This invention discloses an RO membrane performance testing device. The RO membrane element testing device includes a front end cap and a rear end cap installed at both ends of the membrane element to be tested. Each of the front and rear end caps has several fastening screw holes, and the front and rear end caps are fixed to both ends of the membrane element by fastening components. The front and rear end caps are made of rigid material, with an internal conical surface made of flexible rubber material, and the conical surface has a groove with the same outer diameter as the end face of the membrane element. The front end cap has an inlet and a product outlet, wherein the portion of the product outlet located inside the front end cap is connected to the central tube of the membrane element. The rear end cap has a concentrate outlet and a product outlet plug, and the product outlet plug is connected to the central tube of the membrane element. This invention also discloses a method for connecting and using the above device. The device of this invention features a compact design, small size, and light weight, making it easy to install, operate, and carry.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of water treatment equipment and relates to an RO membrane performance testing device and its connection and usage method. Background Technology

[0002] Reverse osmosis technology is now widely used in water treatment. Its core component, the membrane element, is susceptible to fouling by various contaminants during use, leading to fouling and even damage to the membrane material, causing problems such as increased pressure differential and reduced water production. However, due to differences in the arrangement of membrane elements, the degree of fouling varies at different locations. To reduce the number of replacements and lower replacement costs, it is necessary to perform individual performance tests and screening on each membrane element, removing those with poor performance and retaining those with excellent performance, thereby reducing replacement costs. Traditional membrane performance testing devices typically include components such as membrane housings, pumps, and water tanks; these devices are bulky and inconvenient to transport. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To facilitate convenient testing of reverse osmosis membrane module performance while avoiding excessive equipment size, complex operation, and other problems, and to ensure wider applicability, this invention provides an RO membrane performance testing device and its connection and usage method. The device is directly connected to the inlet side of the field equipment. During membrane element testing, water is introduced directly from the system's high-pressure pump outlet pipe via a bypass, saving the need for a water tank and pump. Furthermore, since the fiberglass shell of the membrane element does not require water flow during testing, with water only passing through the membrane end face, the membrane shell can be eliminated, making the overall device more compact and easier to use.

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides an RO membrane performance testing device, comprising a front end cap and a rear end cap installed at both ends of the membrane element to be tested. Each of the front and rear end caps has several fastening screw holes. Fastening knobs and screws are used to fix the front and rear end caps to both ends of the membrane element through these screw holes. The front and rear end caps are made of rigid material with a flexible rubber conical surface inside, and the flexible rubber conical surface has a groove with the same outer diameter as the membrane element end face. The front end cap has an inlet and a product water outlet, with the portion of the product water outlet located inside the front end cap connected to the central tube of the membrane element. The rear end cap has a concentrate outlet and a product water outlet plug, with the product water outlet plug connected to the central tube of the membrane element.

[0005] The RO membrane performance testing device of the present invention, wherein the front end cap and the rear end cap are preferably made of metal, and the conical inner wall has a limiting annular groove that is equivalent to the outer diameter of the 8-inch RO membrane element.

[0006] In the RO membrane performance testing device of the present invention, preferably, 4 to 8 fastening screw holes are left around the end face of the front end cap and the rear end cap.

[0007] The present invention relates to an RO membrane performance testing device, wherein the fastening component comprises a fastening screw hole, a fastening knob, and a fastening screw, wherein the fastening knob and the fastening screw are made of metal.

[0008] The RO membrane performance testing device of the present invention preferably has O-rings in the part of the product water outlet and the product water outlet plug inserted into the central tube of the RO membrane element.

[0009] The RO membrane performance testing device of the present invention preferably includes a flow meter, a pressure gauge and a valve installed on the pressure-resistant pipe connected to the inlet, concentrate outlet and product outlet.

[0010] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following technical features:

[0011] 1) Unlike the traditional method of using membrane shells, this invention provides a compact, lightweight end cap that is easy to install and carry.

[0012] 2) The testing device of the present invention can be connected to an additional bypass at the outlet of the high-pressure pump of the reverse osmosis system, eliminating the need for a water tank and a water pump;

[0013] 3) The testing device of the present invention only uses two end caps to fit around the front and back of the membrane element, without the need for a membrane shell. Since the end caps are lighter than the membrane shell and use standard sizes, they have greater applicability. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram (split view) of the unassembled RO membrane performance testing device of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the assembled state of an RO membrane performance testing device according to the present invention.

[0016] Among them, 1. Water inlet; 2. Concentrate inlet; 3. Product water inlet; 4. Product water inlet plug; 5. Front end cap; 6. Rear end cap; 7. Fastening screw hole; 8. Fastening knob; 9. Fastening screw. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The following describes specific embodiments and appendices. Figures 1-2 The present invention will be further described below.

[0018] As attached Figure 1As shown, the RO membrane performance testing device includes a front end cap 5, a rear end cap 6, an inlet 1, a concentrate outlet 2, a product water outlet 3, a product water outlet plug 4, a front end cap 5, a rear end cap 6, a fastening screw hole 7, a fastening knob 8, a fastening screw 9, and an annular limiting groove 10.

[0019] In use, first install the front end cap 5 and the rear end cap 6 at both ends of the membrane element to be tested. Insert the portion of the permeate outlet 3 located inside the front end cap 5 into the central tube of the membrane element. Then, insert the permeate outlet plug 4 inside the rear end cap 6 into the central tube of the membrane element, so that during testing, the permeate only flows out from the permeate outlet 3. Both the permeate outlet 3 and the portion of the permeate outlet plug 4 inserted into the central tube of the membrane element are equipped with O-rings.

[0020] Each of the front end cap 5 and the rear end cap 6 has four fastening screw holes 7 around its circumference; these are secured to both ends of the membrane element under test using fastening knobs 8 and fastening screws 9. The front end cap 5 and the rear end cap 6 are made of rigid materials, such as stainless steel, but their interiors are conical and made of flexible rubber. Furthermore, the conical surface of the rubber material has an annular limiting groove that is equivalent to the outer diameter of the end face of the 8-inch RO membrane element. Therefore, after being secured to both ends of the membrane element using fastening knobs 8 and fastening screws 9, they effectively provide a seal.

[0021] After the front end cap 5 and the rear end cap 6 are installed, a bypass is led out from the outlet pipeline of the high-pressure pump on site and connected to the inlet 1 of the front end cap using a pressure-resistant hose. The pressure-resistant hose is equipped with a valve, pressure gauge and flow meter. The concentrate outlet 2 is connected to the drainage ditch through the pressure-resistant hose. The pressure-resistant hose is equipped with a valve, pressure gauge and flow meter. The product water outlet 3 is connected to the drainage ditch through the pressure-resistant hose. The pressure-resistant hose is equipped with a flow meter.

[0022] The on-site RO system is started, and the inlet water pressure is controlled at 0.6-0.8 MPa and the flow rate at 4-5 t / h through the valves on the pipeline connecting the high-pressure pump frequency converter, inlet 1 and concentrate outlet 2. The conductivity of the water effluent from the product outlet 3 is tested using a conductivity meter to achieve performance testing of a single membrane module.

[0023] To facilitate readings, lightweight brackets can be used to fix the flow meters and valves installed on the inlet 1, concentrate outlet 2, and product outlet 3 pipelines in practical applications.

Claims

1. An RO membrane performance testing device, characterized in that, The device includes a front end cap and a rear end cap installed at both ends of the membrane element under test. The front end cap and the rear end cap are fixed to both ends of the membrane element under test by fastening components. The front end cap and the rear end cap are made of rigid material with a flexible rubber conical surface inside. The flexible rubber conical surface has a groove with the same outer diameter as the end face of the membrane element. The front end cap is provided with an inlet and a product water outlet. The part of the product water outlet located inside the front end cap is connected to the central tube of the membrane element. The rear end cap is provided with a concentrate outlet and a product water outlet plug. The product water outlet plug is connected to the central tube of the membrane element. The front end cap and the rear end cap are made of metal. The conical inner wall has a limiting annular groove with a diameter equivalent to the outer diameter of the RO membrane element.

2. The RO membrane performance testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The end faces of the front and rear end caps have 4 to 8 fastening screw holes around their perimeter.

3. The RO membrane performance testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fastening component consists of a fastening screw hole, a fastening knob, and a fastening screw.

4. The RO membrane performance testing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The fastening knob and fastening screw are made of metal.

5. The RO membrane performance testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The product outlet and the product outlet plug have O-rings at the part where they are inserted into the central tube of the RO membrane element.

6. The RO membrane performance testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure-resistant pipes connected to the inlet, concentrate outlet, and product outlet are equipped with flow meters, pressure gauges, and valves.

7. A method for connecting and using the RO membrane performance testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, include: First, fix the front and rear end caps at both ends of the membrane element to be tested, and insert the part with the product water outlet inside the front end cap into the central tube of the membrane element. Insert the permeate outlet plug inside the rear end cap into the central tube of the membrane element so that the permeate water only flows out from the permeate outlet during the test. A bypass is drawn from the outlet pipe of the high-pressure pump of the RO system and connected to the inlet of the front end cap with a pressure-resistant hose. The pressure-resistant hose is equipped with a valve, pressure gauge and flow meter. The concentrate outlet is connected to the drainage ditch or sewage treatment plant through the pressure-resistant hose. The pressure-resistant hose is equipped with a valve, pressure gauge and flow meter. The product water outlet is connected to the drainage ditch through the pressure-resistant hose. The pressure-resistant hose is equipped with a flow meter. The on-site RO system is started, and the inlet water pressure is controlled at 0.6~0.8Mpa and the flow rate at 4~5t / h through the valves on the pipeline connecting the high-pressure pump frequency converter, inlet and concentrate. The conductivity of the product water is tested using a conductivity meter to achieve performance testing of a single membrane module.

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