A method and apparatus for filling and casting membrane module end caps with low density difference

Abstract

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for filling and casting membrane modules with low density difference at the end caps. The steps involve placing the membrane module horizontally and connecting the injection ports at both ends of the membrane module to the outlets of containers containing filling solution and potting resin, respectively, with each container positioned above and inside the membrane module end caps. The membrane module and containers rotate synchronously by centrifugation, using the driving force of centrifugal rotation to inject the filling solution and potting resin while simultaneously separating them. After the potting resin cures, centrifugal rotation is stopped. The containers are then transferred to the outside of the membrane module end caps, and the membrane module and containers rotate synchronously by centrifugation, using the driving force of centrifugal rotation to recover the filling solution. After the filling solution is recovered, centrifugation is stopped, resulting in a membrane module with end caps filled. This method for filling and casting membrane modules with low density difference at the end caps addresses the technical problem of the high limitation on the selection of filling solutions in existing filling and casting processes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of hollow fiber membrane module manufacturing technology, and in particular to a method and apparatus for end-capping and filling membrane modules with low density difference. Background Technology

[0002] Membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology organically combines membrane separation technology with traditional biological wastewater treatment technology. It directly adds curtain microfiltration (MF) or column ultrafiltration (UF) membrane modules to the activated sludge tank to replace the secondary sedimentation tank for sludge-water separation. It offers advantages such as a large range of control over technical conditions like sludge age and concentration, high effluent quality standards, good stability, small footprint, low residual sludge volume, and compact structure. In the context of wastewater resource recovery, the MBR process has received widespread attention worldwide.

[0003] The manufacturing process of membrane modules requires the use of rigid potting resin for encapsulation. At the product water end, after the resin has cured, the adhesive blocks at the lower end of the membrane fibers need to be cut to expose the membrane pores for normal water output. These cut adhesive blocks have no usable value, require expensive hazardous waste disposal, and cause environmental pollution. Furthermore, existing filling and casting processes have significant limitations in the selection of the filling solution, requiring a density difference between the filling solution and the potting resin of ≥0.05 g / cm³. 3 .

[0004] Furthermore, the current filling and casting process relies solely on gravity to recover the liquid, requiring the filling solution to have a room temperature viscosity of 1-200 mPa·s. This further narrows the range of suitable filling solutions, and the recovery is insufficient, resulting in waste of the filling solution. The current filling and casting process is only suitable for the fabrication of curtain membrane modules, requires an open operating space, is highly dependent on manual labor, and the separation of the filling solution and potting resin is not properly cleaned, leading to compromised product quality.

[0005] Currently, common filling and encapsulation methods are applicable to curtain membranes, and the relevant patent is CN113617229A – "Casting and Encapsulation Method for Hollow Fiber Membrane Modules"; existing technologies only utilize gravity to separate the filling solution and the potting resin, which has the following disadvantages:

[0006] 1. To ensure smooth stratification of the filling solution and potting resin, achieving the effect of the filling solution at the bottom and the potting resin on top, a high sealing difference between the filling solution and the potting resin is required, ≥0.05g / cm². 3 This narrows down the range of filling solutions that can be selected.

[0007] 2. An open operating space is required. Hollow fiber membranes need to be bundled and fixed into a laminate beforehand for easy operation. The method of filling the casting space with a filling solution before manual injection is problematic. Due to the deformable nature of the filling solution, uneven force during injection can cause the liquid surface to sink, resulting in an uneven adhesive surface and membrane fiber pore blockage. This requires multiple injections of potting resin at multiple injection points, reducing production efficiency. If the end-sealing liquid fluctuates too much, it will affect the curing of the potting resin, causing through-holes in the sealing surface. This places extremely high demands on operators and has disadvantages such as strong reliance on manual labor and complex process operation, which cannot guarantee a good end-sealing effect.

[0008] 3. Relying solely on gravity to recover the liquid requires the room temperature viscosity of the filling solution to be 1-200 mPa·s, which further narrows the range of available filling solutions and results in insufficient recovery and significant loss of the filling solution.

[0009] 4. Due to the special nature of hollow fiber membrane filament raw materials, some high-density, low-viscosity filling solutions can cause hollow fiber membrane filaments to turn red, further narrowing the range of filling solutions that can be used for filling and casting hollow fiber membrane modules.

[0010] Therefore, in order to address the above problems, the present invention urgently needs to provide a method and apparatus for filling and casting membrane module end caps with low density difference. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for filling and casting membrane modules with low density difference at the end of the membrane module. By designing this method, the invention addresses the problems existing in the prior art. One issue is that current filling and casting processes have significant limitations in the selection of the filling solution, requiring a density difference between the filling solution and the potting resin of ≥0.05 g / cm³. 3 The technical issues are twofold: firstly, the traditional filling and casting method has limited applicability, being only suitable for the manufacturing process of curtain membrane modules and not for the manufacturing process of column membrane modules.

[0012] The present invention provides a method for filling and casting membrane modules with low density difference, comprising the following steps:

[0013] The membrane module is placed horizontally, and the glue inlets at both ends of the membrane module are connected to the outlets of containers containing filling solution and potting resin through pipelines. Each container is located on the inner side above the sealing end of the membrane module.

[0014] The membrane module and container rotate centrifugally in sync. The centrifugal rotation drives the injection of filling solution and potting resin, while separating the filling solution and potting resin. Centrifugal rotation stops after the potting resin has cured.

[0015] Each container is transferred to the outside of the membrane module end cap. The membrane module and container are centrifuged synchronously. The centrifugal rotation is used to recover the filling solution. After the filling solution is recovered, centrifugation is stopped, and the end-capped membrane module is obtained.

[0016] Preferably, the density difference between the filling solution and the potting resin is ≥0.01 g / cm³. 3 .

[0017] Preferably, the room temperature viscosity of the filling solution is ≤1500 mPa·s.

[0018] Preferably, the filling solution is at least one selected from glycerol, glyceryl carbonate, inorganic salt solution, organic salt solution, polyol solution, and organic acid solution.

[0019] Preferably, the filling solution is an inorganic salt solution; the inorganic salt is any one of calcium chloride, magnesium bromide, potassium carbonate, or sodium dihydrogen phosphate.

[0020] Preferably, the filling solution is an organic salt solution; the organic salt is selected from at least one of potassium formate, sodium formate, sodium citrate and potassium tartrate.

[0021] Preferably, the container comprises a liquid bottle.

[0022] Preferably, the container comprises two liquid bottles, one containing a filling solution and the other containing a potting resin.

[0023] The present invention also provides a membrane module end-sealing filling and casting device based on the low density difference membrane module end-sealing filling and casting method as described in any one of the above, comprising a body, a rotating disk provided on the top of the body, the rotating disk being connected to a rotating mechanism inside the body through a connector, two fixing clamps for fixing the membrane module being symmetrically provided on the rotating disk, a container being provided above each fixing clamp, and each container being connected to the corresponding fixing clamp through a mounting bracket.

[0024] Preferably, the fixing clamp is a circular clamp or a square clamp;

[0025] Preferably, the mounting bracket includes two spaced-apart collars that fit and fit around the container, and the two collars are connected by a connecting rod.

[0026] The membrane module end-capping filling and casting method and apparatus provided by this invention have the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0027] 1. The low density difference membrane module end-sealing filling casting method provided by the present invention utilizes centrifugal driving force to make it easier and clearer to separate the filling solution and the potting resin with different densities into layers, reducing the requirements for the filling solution, reducing the requirements for the operating environment, reducing the workload of personnel, completing the end-sealing in one casting, optimizing the end-sealing quality of the membrane module, and ensuring a good and smooth resin end-sealing effect.

[0028] 2. The low density difference membrane module end-capping filling casting method provided by the present invention reduces the requirements for filling solution and potting resin, thereby reducing the cost of manufacturing process. At the same time, after the resin is cured, the filling solution is recovered by centrifugal driving force, which will not cause waste of filling solution.

[0029] 3. The low density difference membrane module end-capping filling casting method provided by the present invention utilizes the driving force of centrifugal rotation. Under the condition of rotation speed > 200 rpm, the centrifugal force is more than 40 times the gravity, which effectively achieves the stratification effect of filling solution and potting resin, and reduces the density difference requirement between filling solution and potting resin.

[0030] 4. The technical means provided by this invention are highly versatile and applicable to the manufacturing process of curtain membrane modules and column membrane modules. Attached Figure Description

[0031] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the steps of the low density difference membrane module end-capping filling and casting method described in this invention;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram (perspective view) of the membrane module end-sealing filling and casting device described in this invention;

[0034] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram (perspective view) of the membrane module end-sealing filling and casting device described in this invention;

[0035] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of the low-density-difference membrane module end-capping filling and casting method of the present invention.

[0036] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0037] 1. Body; 2. Rotary disc; 3. Fixing clamp; 4. Container; 5. Mounting bracket; 51. Collar; 52. Connecting rod. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0039] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0040] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, this embodiment provides a method for filling and casting membrane modules with low density differences, which includes the following steps:

[0042] S1) The membrane module is placed horizontally, and the glue injection ports at both ends of the membrane module are connected to the liquid outlets of containers containing filling solution and potting resin through pipelines. Each container is located on the inner side above the sealing end of the membrane module.

[0043] S2) The membrane module and container rotate synchronously by centrifugation. The centrifugal rotation drives the injection of filling solution and potting resin, while separating the filling solution and potting resin. After the potting resin has cured, the centrifugal rotation stops.

[0044] S3) Transfer each container to the outside of the membrane module end cap. The membrane module and container rotate synchronously by centrifugation. The filling solution is recovered by using the driving force of centrifugal rotation. After the filling solution is recovered, stop centrifugation to obtain the end-capped membrane module.

[0045] Under the condition that the rotation speed is >200 rpm, the centrifugal force of this invention is more than 40 times the gravity.

[0046] based on Figure 4 As shown in the figure, this invention utilizes centrifugal driving force to make it easier and clearer for the filling solution and potting resin of different densities to separate into layers, reducing the requirements for the filling solution, the requirements for the operating environment, and the workload of personnel. The end-sealing is completed in one pour, optimizing the end-sealing quality of the membrane module and ensuring a good and smooth resin end-sealing effect.

[0047] The low density difference membrane module end-capping filling casting method provided by the present invention reduces the requirements for filling solution and potting resin, thereby reducing the cost of manufacturing process. At the same time, after the resin is cured, the filling solution is recovered by centrifugal driving force, which does not cause waste of filling solution.

[0048] This invention utilizes the driving force of centrifugal rotation. Under the condition of a rotation speed > 200 rpm, the centrifugal force is more than 40 times the gravity, which effectively achieves the stratification effect of the filling solution and the potting resin, and reduces the density difference requirement between the filling solution and the potting resin.

[0049] The membrane module of the present invention can be a cylindrical membrane module or a flat membrane module.

[0050] The density difference between the filling solution and the potting resin of this invention is ≥0.01 g / cm³. 3 Compared to existing requirements where the density difference between the filling solution and the potting resin must be ≥0.05 g / cm³, this new requirement is different. 3 This expands the range of choices for filling solutions and resins, reducing manufacturing costs.

[0051] The room temperature viscosity of the filling solution of the present invention is ≤1500mPa·s, which is lower than the existing requirement that the room temperature viscosity of the filling solution be 1-200mPa·s, thus reducing the requirements for the filling solution and facilitating the encapsulation preparation.

[0052] Specifically, the filling solution is at least one of glycerol, glyceryl carbonate, inorganic salt solution, organic salt solution, polyol solution, and organic acid solution.

[0053] In some embodiments, the filling solution is preferably an inorganic salt solution; the inorganic salt is any one of calcium chloride, magnesium bromide, potassium carbonate, or sodium dihydrogen phosphate.

[0054] In some embodiments, the filling solution is an organic salt solution; the organic salt is selected from at least one of potassium formate, sodium formate, sodium citrate, and potassium tartrate.

[0055] In some embodiments, the container includes a liquid bottle.

[0056] In some embodiments, the container includes two liquid bottles, one containing a filling solution and the other containing potting resin, facilitating the filling of the filling solution and potting resin.

[0057] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 Furthermore, a membrane module end-sealing filling and casting device based on the low density difference membrane module end-sealing filling and casting method as described in any one of the above-mentioned methods is provided, comprising a body 1, a rotating disk 2 provided above the body 1, the rotating disk 2 being connected to a rotating mechanism inside the body 1 via a connector, two fixing clamps 3 symmetrically provided on the rotating disk 2 for fixing the membrane module, a container 4 provided above each fixing clamp 3, and each container 4 being connected to the corresponding fixing clamp 3 via a mounting bracket 5.

[0058] The fixing clamps are selected according to the shape of the membrane assembly. In this embodiment, the membrane assembly is circular, therefore, the clamps are circular.

[0059] The mounting bracket 5 includes two spaced collars 51 that fit and fit the container, and the two collars are connected by a connecting rod 52; one of the collars 51 is fixedly connected to the clamp 3.

[0060] A liquid bottle containing filling solution and resin can be installed on the inner collar. The liquid bottle is connected to the injection port of the membrane module through a pipeline. Centrifugation is performed to simultaneously separate the filling solution and the potting resin. After the potting resin has cured, the centrifugation is stopped.

[0061] The liquid bottle is removed from the inner collar and installed on the outer collar. The membrane module and the liquid bottle rotate synchronously by centrifugation. The centrifugal rotation drives the recovery of the filling solution. After the filling solution is recovered, centrifugation is stopped, and a sealed membrane module is obtained.

[0062] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, liquid bottles can be fixed inside both collars. During filling, the inner liquid bottle is connected to the glue injection port through a pipeline. Centrifugation is performed to simultaneously separate the filling solution and the potting resin. After the potting resin has cured, the centrifugation is stopped.

[0063] Disconnect the tubing connecting the inner liquid bottle to the glue injection port, and connect the outer liquid bottle to the glue injection port through a tubing. The membrane module and the liquid bottle rotate synchronously by centrifugation. The centrifugal rotation driving force is used to recover the filling solution. After the filling solution is recovered, stop centrifugation to obtain a membrane module with sealed end filling.

[0064] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for filling and casting membrane modules with low density differences, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: The membrane module is placed horizontally, and the glue inlets at both ends of the membrane module are connected to the outlets of containers containing filling solution and potting resin through pipelines. Each container is located on the inner side above the sealing end of the membrane module. The membrane module and container rotate centrifugally in sync. The centrifugal rotation drives the injection of filling solution and potting resin, while separating the filling solution and potting resin. Centrifugal rotation stops after the potting resin has cured. Transfer each container to the outside of the membrane module end cap. The membrane module and container are centrifuged synchronously. The centrifugal rotation drives the recovery of the filling solution. After the filling solution is recovered, centrifugation is stopped, and the membrane module with end cap filling is obtained. Select a liquid bottle containing the filling solution and resin and install it on the inner collar. Connect the liquid bottle to the glue inlet of the membrane module through a pipeline. Centrifuge to separate the filling solution and potting resin at the same time. After the potting resin cures, stop centrifugation. The liquid bottle is detached from the inner collar and installed onto the outer collar. The membrane module and the liquid bottle are centrifuged synchronously. The centrifugal rotation drives the recovery of the filling solution. After the filling solution is recovered, centrifugation is stopped, yielding a capped membrane module. The density difference between the filling solution and the potting resin is ≥0.01 g / cm³. 3 ; Each container (4) is connected to the corresponding fixing clamp (3) through the mounting bracket (5); the mounting bracket (5) includes two spaced collars (51) that are matched and fitted to the container, and the two collars are connected by a connecting rod (52); The container consists of a liquid bottle.

2. The method for sealing and filling membrane modules with low density difference according to claim 1, characterized in that: The room temperature viscosity of the filling solution is ≤1500 mPa·s.

3. The method for sealing and filling membrane modules with low density difference according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filling solution is at least one of glycerol, glyceryl carbonate, inorganic salt solution, organic salt solution, polyol solution and organic acid solution.

4. The method for filling and casting membrane modules with low density difference according to claim 3, characterized in that: The filling solution is an inorganic salt solution; the inorganic salt is any one of calcium chloride, magnesium bromide, potassium carbonate, or sodium dihydrogen phosphate.

5. The method for sealing and filling membrane modules with low density difference according to claim 3, characterized in that: The filling solution is an organic salt solution; the organic salt is selected from at least one of potassium formate, sodium formate, sodium citrate and potassium tartrate.

6. A membrane module end-capping filling and casting apparatus based on the low density difference membrane module end-capping filling and casting method as described in any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: include The machine body (1) has a rotating disk (2) on top of it. The rotating disk (2) is connected to the rotating mechanism inside the machine body (1) through a connector. Two fixing clamps (3) for fixing the membrane module are symmetrically arranged on the rotating disk (2). A container (4) is provided above each fixing clamp (3). Each container (4) is connected to the corresponding fixing clamp (3) through a mounting bracket (5). The fixing clamps are either round or square. The mounting bracket (5) includes two spaced collars (51) that fit and fit into the container, and the two collars are connected by a connecting rod (52).

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