A u-shaped hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane element

Abstract

This invention discloses a U-shaped hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane element, comprising a housing, an inlet fixedly connected to the bottom end of the housing, an air inlet fixedly connected to the bottom end of the housing, a drain port fixedly connected to the side of the bottom end of the housing, hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane fibers disposed inside the housing, brush lines disposed inside the housing and between multiple hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane fibers, a top cover fixedly connected to the top end of the housing, a central tube fixedly connected inside the top cover, a concentrate outlet disposed at the top end of the central tube, and sealant filling the space between the central tube, the hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane fibers, and the brush lines. This invention relates to a U-shaped hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane element, which overcomes the disadvantages of easy fouling and frequent chemical cleaning of currently widely used column-type ultrafiltration systems, and can effectively improve water production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of membrane water treatment technology, specifically a U-shaped hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane element. Background Technology

[0002] Ultrafiltration (UF) is a membrane separation technology that purifies and separates solutions. A hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane system uses hollow fiber ultrafiltration membranes as the filtration medium and the pressure difference across the membrane as the driving force for solution separation. Hollow fiber ultrafiltration membranes allow only solvents (such as water molecules), inorganic salts, and small organic molecules in the solution to pass through, while retaining large molecules such as suspended solids, colloids, proteins, and microorganisms, thus achieving purification and separation. Currently, hollow fiber ultrafiltration membranes are widely used in water treatment projects. Ultrafiltration technology plays an increasingly important role in reverse osmosis pretreatment, drinking water treatment, and greywater reuse. Ultrafiltration technology also plays a crucial role in the sterilization and turbidity removal of alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, the removal of pyrogens from pharmaceuticals, and the concentration of food and pharmaceuticals. The definitions of ultrafiltration pore size and molecular weight cutoff have long been somewhat vague. Generally, it's considered that the pore size of ultra-hollow fiber ultrafiltration membranes is 0.001–0.1 μm, and the molecular weight cutoff is 1,000–500,000 Daltons. Ultra-hollow fiber ultrafiltration membranes used in water treatment typically have a nominal molecular weight cutoff of 30,000–300,000 Daltons, while those with a molecular weight cutoff of 6,000–30,000 Daltons are mostly used for material separation, concentration, sterilization, and pyrogen removal. Ultra-hollow fiber ultrafiltration membranes can be categorized into plate and tubular types. Tubular ultra-hollow fiber ultrafiltration membranes are further classified into hollow fiber, capillary, and tubular types based on their tube diameter. Currently, hollow fiber membranes are the dominant type used in the water treatment market. A hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane module is a component assembled from ultra-hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane filaments that can be connected to an ultrafiltration system. Hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane modules are available in two types: external and submerged. External modules are further divided into internal pressure and external pressure types. The driving force for filtration in submerged hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane filaments is the pressure difference between the vacuum inside the membrane tube and atmospheric pressure. For hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane filaments requiring high filtration purity, this pressure difference is usually insufficient to meet the required driving force. Therefore, submerged modules are more suitable for hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane filaments or micro-hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane filaments with lower filtration precision. In external pressure ultrafiltration, the feed water side is on the outer surface of the membrane fibers, while the inner cavity contains clean permeate water. Because the filtration process of external pressure hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane fibers is a dynamic equilibrium process of fouling accumulation, cleaning, re-accumulation of fouling, and further cleaning on the outer surface of the membrane fibers, a programmed water production sequence is used for external pressure ultrafiltration column membranes. A complete water production cycle includes the following steps: filtration, physical cleaning, and chemical cleaning. Physical cleaning includes air washing, backwashing, and forward cleaning. Chemical cleaning includes chemically enhanced cleaning (CED) and offline chemical cleaning (CIP).All the steps described above are designed to prevent cumulative fouling of the membrane. Chemical enhanced cleaning (CED) is typically required every 10-15 water production cycles. Depending on the quality of the incoming water, neither physical cleaning nor chemical enhanced cleaning can effectively remove the accumulated fouling on the ultra-hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane fibers. This can lead to increased transmembrane pressure differential in the ultrafiltration system, affecting the normal filtration process. In such cases, offline chemical cleaning (CIP) is necessary, and the system typically needs to be shut down for offline chemical cleaning approximately every 6 months. Therefore, a U-shaped hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane element needs to be designed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a U-shaped hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane element to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0004] To address the above problems, this invention provides a U-shaped hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane element technical solution:

[0005] A U-shaped hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane element includes a housing, an inlet fixedly connected to the bottom end of the housing, an air inlet fixedly connected to the bottom end of the housing, a drain port fixedly connected to the side of the bottom end of the housing, hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane fibers disposed inside the housing, brush lines disposed inside the housing and between multiple hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane fibers, a top cover fixedly connected to the top end of the housing, a central tube fixedly connected inside the top cover, a concentrate outlet disposed at the top end of the central tube, a sealant filling the space between the central tube, the hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane fibers, and the brush lines, the upper end of the sealant and the lower end of the top cover forming a purified water chamber, and a product water outlet fixedly connected to the housing, the product water outlet communicating with the purified water chamber.

[0006] Preferably, there are two water inlets, which are symmetrically distributed on the shell. The design of the water inlets makes it easy to inject water into the shell.

[0007] Preferably, there are two drain outlets, which are symmetrically distributed on the shell. The design of the drain outlets makes it easy to remove pollutants deposited at the bottom of the shell.

[0008] Preferably, the shell is U-shaped and made of transparent material. The design of the shell allows for easy brushing of the hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane fibers with brush lines.

[0009] Preferably, the number of brush lines is thousands, and the brush lines have a rough and elastic surface. Through the design of the brush lines, the hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane fibers can be effectively brushed.

[0010] Preferably, there are two water outlets, which are symmetrically distributed on the shell. The design of the water outlets allows water in the water purification chamber to be discharged.

[0011] Preferably, the central tube is permeated with sealant, the hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane fibers are permeated with sealant, and the outer side of the top of the brush line is wrapped with sealant. Through the design of the sealant, a water purification chamber can be generated inside the housing.

[0012] Preferably, the hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane fibers are connected to the central tube, and the brush lines are in contact with the central tube. The design of the central tube can accelerate the drainage effect.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention relates to a U-shaped hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane element, which overcomes the shortcomings of currently widely used column-type ultrafiltration membranes, such as easy fouling and frequent chemical cleaning, and can effectively improve water production efficiency. In specific applications, compared with traditional U-shaped hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane elements, this U-shaped hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane element has the following beneficial effects:

[0014] The ultra-hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane fibers are encapsulated in a U-shaped column, which includes brush lines that can be used to clean the outer surface of the ultra-hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane fibers during the water production cycle. The two sides of the connecting part at the bottom of the U-shaped column have efficient sewage discharge channels. Under the same conditions, it can overcome the disadvantages of easy fouling and frequent chemical cleaning of the currently widely used column-type ultrafiltration, and can effectively improve water production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0015] For ease of explanation, the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 For the present invention Figure 1 The front view;

[0018] Figure 3 For the present invention Figure 2 A sectional view;

[0019] Figure 4 For the present invention Figure 1 A top view of the partial structure;

[0020] Figure 5 For the present invention Figure 4 Enlarged view of part A of the structure.

[0021] In the diagram: 1. Shell; 2. Hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane fiber; 3. Brush line; 4. Sealant; 5. Central tube; 6. Purified water chamber; 7. Product water outlet; 8. Top cover; 9. Concentrate outlet; 10. Water inlet; 11. Air inlet; 12. Drain outlet. Detailed Implementation

[0022] like Figure 1-5 As shown, the specific implementation adopts the following technical solution:

[0023] Example:

[0024] A U-shaped hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane element includes a housing 1. A water inlet 10 and an air inlet 11 are fixedly connected to the bottom end of the housing 1. A drain outlet 12 is fixedly connected to the side of the bottom end of the housing 1. Hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane fibers 2 are disposed inside the housing 1. Brush lines 3 are disposed inside the housing 1 and between multiple hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane fibers 2. A top cover 8 is fixedly connected to the top end of the housing 1. A central tube 5 is fixedly connected inside the top cover 8. A concentrate outlet 9 is disposed at the top end of the central tube 5. Sealant 4 is filled between the central tube 5, the hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane fibers 2, and the brush lines 3. The upper end of the sealant 4 and the lower end of the top cover 8 form a purified water chamber 6. A product water outlet 7 is fixedly connected to the housing 1 and communicates with the purified water chamber 6.

[0025] There are two water inlets 10, which are symmetrically distributed on the shell 1. The design of the water inlets 10 makes it easy to inject water into the shell 1.

[0026] The number of the drain outlets 12 is two, and the two drain outlets 12 are symmetrically distributed on the shell 1. The design of the drain outlets 12 makes it easy to remove pollutants deposited at the bottom of the shell 1.

[0027] The shell 1 is U-shaped and made of transparent material. The design of the shell 1 allows for easy brushing of the hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane filaments 2 with the brush line 3.

[0028] The brush lines 3 consist of thousands of individual brushes. The brush lines 3 have a rough surface and are elastic. Through the design of the brush lines 3, the hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane fibers 2 can be effectively brushed and washed.

[0029] The number of water outlets 7 is two, and the two water outlets 7 are symmetrically distributed on the shell 1. Through the design of the water outlets 7, the water in the water purification chamber 6 can be discharged.

[0030] The central tube 5 is permeated by the sealant 4, the hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane filament 2 is permeated by the sealant 4, and the top of the brush line 3 is wrapped with the sealant 4. Through the design of the sealant 4, a water purification chamber 6 can be generated inside the housing 1.

[0031] The hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane filament 2 is connected to the water purification chamber 6, and the brush line 3 is in contact with the central tube 5. Through the design of the central tube 5, concentrated water can be effectively discharged.

[0032] The invention is used as follows: When in use, since thousands of brush lines 3 are contained in the shell 1 and between the hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane filaments 2, the brush lines 3 have a rough and elastic surface. During the filtration process, due to the flow of water, the brush lines 3 repeatedly rub and brush the outer surface of the hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane filaments 2 between multiple hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane filaments 2, thereby alleviating the cumulative fouling of the hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane filaments 2, and significantly improving the ratio of the filtration cycle to the physical cleaning cycle, thus improving the water production efficiency.

[0033] During the physical cleaning process, the flow of water causes the brush line 3 to repeatedly rub and brush the outer surface of the hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane filament 2 between the hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane filament 2, thereby accelerating the cleaning speed of pollutants on the surface of the hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane filament 2. As a result, the physical cleaning time cycle is significantly accelerated, the ratio of the filtration cycle to the physical cleaning cycle is increased, and the water production efficiency is improved.

[0034] Because the housing 1 contains two drain ports 12, it can be subjected to air washing, backwashing, sewage discharge, and forward cleaning. The sewage discharge sequence is adjusted by an automatic valve. First, the pipelines of all other water inlets 10 and air inlets 11 are closed. The water pump then uses a water pump to introduce raw water into one of the two drain ports 12 and discharge it from the other. This sequence can use a small amount of raw water to efficiently remove contaminants from the bottom of the housing 1, further enhancing the overall ultrafiltration's resistance to cumulative fouling.

[0035] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope. All such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the present invention as claimed, which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A U-shaped hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane element, comprising a housing (1), characterized in that: The bottom end of the housing (1) is fixedly connected to a water inlet (10), the bottom end of the housing (1) is fixedly connected to an air inlet (11), the bottom side of the housing (1) is fixedly connected to a sewage outlet (12), hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane fibers (2) are arranged inside the housing (1), brush lines (3) are arranged inside the housing (1) and between multiple hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane fibers (2), a top cover (8) is fixedly connected to the top end of the housing (1), a central tube (5) is fixedly connected inside the top cover (8), a concentrate outlet (9) is arranged at the top end of the central tube (5), sealant (4) is filled between the central tube (5), the hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane fibers (2) and the brush lines (3), the upper end of the sealant (4) and the lower end of the top cover (8) form a clean water chamber (6), a product water outlet (7) is fixedly connected to the housing (1), and the product water outlet (7) communicates with the clean water chamber (6); The number of the drain outlets (12) is two, and the two drain outlets (12) are symmetrically distributed on the shell (1); The shell (1) is U-shaped and made of transparent material; The number of brush lines (3) is thousands, and the surface of the brush lines (3) is rough and elastic.

2. The U-shaped hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane element according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are two water inlets (10), and the two water inlets (10) are symmetrically distributed on the shell (1).

3. The U-shaped hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane element according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of water outlets (7) is two, and the two water outlets (7) are symmetrically distributed on the shell (1).

4. The U-shaped hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane element according to claim 1, characterized in that: The central tube (5) is permeated by the sealant (4), the hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane filament (2) is permeated by the sealant (4), and the top of the brush line (3) is wrapped with sealant (4).

5. The U-shaped hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane element according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane filament (2) is connected to the water purification chamber (6), and the brush line (3) is in contact with the central tube (5).

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