High performance ceramic flat sheet membrane module for water treatment

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of high-performance water treatment ceramic flat sheet membrane module, belong to water treatment equipment field.Existing membrane module has uneven flow field distribution in water collection space, gas is easy to accumulate, assembly maintenance is inconvenient.The module includes shunt cover, shunt plate, soft rubber and at least two pieces of ceramic flat sheet membrane.Shunt cover is provided with main pipe opening and exhaust hole.Shunt plate includes first plate body and second plate body arranged in layers, both are connected by support column and form water collection space, first plate body is provided with flow blocking structure and is provided with overflow round hole.Second plate body of shunt plate is provided with soft rubber, and installation slot is formed in soft rubber, and the end of ceramic flat sheet membrane is inserted into installation slot.The application improves flow field uniformity by shunt plate overhanging structure and the optimized distribution of overflow round hole, reduces pressure drop, automatically discharges gas by exhaust hole, and optimizes assembly structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of water treatment equipment technology, and more specifically, to a high-performance water treatment ceramic flat sheet membrane module. Background Technology

[0002] Ceramic flat-sheet membrane modules are widely used in municipal wastewater treatment and industrial wastewater reuse due to their advantages such as corrosion resistance, easy cleaning, and long service life. However, existing membrane modules have revealed the following problems during long-term operation: First, the flow field distribution within the collection space is uneven, easily exhibiting a normal distribution phenomenon of "high flow rate in the center and low flow rate around the edges," leading to inconsistent membrane utilization and accelerated localized fouling. Second, dissolved gases in the gas-liquid two-phase flow tend to accumulate at the top of the module, affecting water production efficiency. Third, the assembly, sealing, and fixing methods between components are relatively complex, making maintenance inconvenient. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a ceramic flat-sheet membrane module that can improve flow field uniformity, achieve automatic venting, and facilitate assembly and maintenance. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention provides a high-performance water treatment ceramic flat sheet membrane module, which aims to solve at least one technical problem existing in the background art.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0005] To address the issues of uneven flow field distribution and significant pressure drop in existing membrane modules, this invention designs the flow divider plate as a stacked first plate and a second plate, which are then connected overhead by support columns to form a water collection space. Specifically, a high-performance water treatment ceramic flat-plate membrane module includes: a flow divider hood with a main inlet for connecting to external pipelines; a flow divider plate; a soft rubber sheet; and at least two ceramic flat-plate membranes. The flow divider plate comprises a stacked first plate and a second plate. The first plate has multiple flow holes, and the second plate has multiple flow grooves. The first and second plates are connected overhead by several support columns to form a water collection space. The soft rubber sheet is disposed on the second plate of the flow divider plate and has mounting grooves that match the external dimensions of the ceramic flat-plate membrane ends. The flow divider hood is fixedly connected to the flow divider plate, and the ends of the ceramic flat-plate membranes are inserted into the mounting grooves of the soft rubber sheet.

[0006] In the above structure, the two layers of the flow divider plate form a water collection space, which can collect the permeate from each membrane. To improve the uniformity of flow distribution, the flow holes on the first plate are arranged in an irregular concentric circle pattern, and the opening positions uniformly avoid the flow channels of the second plate. Except for the two rows of holes in the vertical direction near the edge of the first plate, the diameters of the holes are consistent. This makes the flow rate entering each flow hole more uniform. At the same time, a flow-blocking structure is set in the central area of ​​the first plate to prevent the incoming water from directly impacting the central area and causing a short circuit, forcing the water flow to disperse in all directions. During operation, raw water enters from the main pipe (backwashing mode) or permeate enters the water collection space from the membrane side (permeate mode), and the fluid resistance is significantly reduced.

[0007] To achieve the effect of timely removal of dissolved gases from the system during water production and to prevent gas accumulation from affecting water production efficiency, this invention incorporates an exhaust structure on the distribution hood. Specifically, the distribution hood is equipped with an exhaust structure for removing accumulated gas during water production. This exhaust structure utilizes the physical property that gas density is less than liquid density; when gas rises with the product water to the top of the distribution hood, it preferentially enters the exhaust structure rather than remaining in dead zones. During the vacuum pump's negative pressure suction process, trace amounts of gas mixed in the product water continuously precipitate and rise. Because the exhaust structure is located at the highest point of the distribution hood, the gas automatically accumulates and is drawn away, thereby ensuring that the membrane module remains in a low gas content state and increasing the effective filtration area.

[0008] To facilitate the insertion of the flat sheet membrane and prevent scratches on the membrane surface during installation, this invention designs the mounting groove as a through groove with a chamfered inner edge. The mounting groove is a through groove extending along the length of the soft rubber, penetrating the thickness of the soft rubber, and its inner edge is chamfered. The chamfered design serves a guiding function, allowing the flat sheet membrane to slide into the groove even if it is slightly misaligned during insertion.

[0009] To address the issue of reduced structural strength in soft rubber caused by elongated mounting grooves, this invention divides each mounting groove into multiple spaced-apart segments. Multiple mounting grooves are arranged parallel to each other on the soft rubber, and each mounting groove consists of multiple spaced-apart segments arranged along its length, with adjacent segments separated by connecting parts. This segmented design preserves the connecting parts, ensuring that the soft rubber maintains sufficient structural strength along its length.

[0010] This invention provides a high-performance ceramic flat-sheet membrane module for water treatment, which has the following advantages:

[0011] I. Significantly improves the uniformity of the flow field in the water collection space and reduces the operating pressure drop.

[0012] To address the issue of a normal distribution in the water collection space of existing membrane modules, characterized by "high flow rate at the center and low flow rate around the edges," this invention designs the flow divider plate as a structure where the first and second plates are connected by a support column. The flow-through holes on the first plate are arranged in an irregular concentric circle pattern, with their positions uniformly avoiding the flow channels on the second plate. Except for the two rows of holes vertically aligned near the edge of the first plate, the hole diameters of the others are consistent. Combined with a flow-blocking structure located in the central region of the first plate, this results in a more uniform flow rate entering each flat membrane, significantly improving the flow field uniformity in the water collection space and achieving a pressure drop superior to the original structure.

[0013] II. Ensure timely discharge of dissolved gases and guarantee the stability of water production.

[0014] To address the issue of dissolved gases easily accumulating at the top of the membrane module during water production, this invention incorporates an exhaust structure at the upper end of the flow divider. The precipitated bubbles automatically rise to the top of the flow divider and are discharged through the exhaust structure, preventing gas accumulation that could reduce the effective filtration area and decrease water production efficiency, thus ensuring the operational stability of the membrane module.

[0015] III. Reduce assembly difficulty and improve assembly efficiency

[0016] The mounting slot adopts a segmented design and is separated by a connecting part, which avoids the soft rubber from becoming too soft and deformed due to too many slots. Combined with the guiding effect of the chamfer, it makes the insertion of the flat membrane smoother, effectively reducing the assembly difficulty and reducing the risk of membrane scratches or soft rubber tearing. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the external shape;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the flow divider structure;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the splitter plate structure;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a soft rubber structure. The left side is the front view of the soft rubber, and the right side is the rear view of the soft rubber.

[0023] The markings in the attached diagram are as follows: 1-flow divider, 101-exhaust port, 102-main pipe opening; 2-flow divider plate, 201-first plate, 2011-flow passage hole, 2012-flow baffle protrusion, 202-second plate, 2021-flow groove, 203-large diameter long cylinder, 3-soft rubber, 301-mounting groove, 302-injection hole, 303-overflow hole, 4-ceramic flat sheet membrane. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and 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.

[0025] Example

[0026] This embodiment provides a high-performance water treatment ceramic flat sheet membrane module, which is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings ( Figures 1 to 4 It provides a detailed description of its structure, assembly, working principle, and dynamic working process.

[0027] like Figure 3 As shown, the diversion hood 1 is injection molded from ABS engineering plastic, and has a rectangular structure with its length direction aligned with the arrangement direction of the flat membrane. A main pipe 102 is located at the center of the upper surface of the diversion hood 1 for connecting to external pipelines (connected to a vacuum pump during water production, and to a water or air source during backwashing). A row of vent holes 101 is evenly distributed along the length of the top edge of the diversion hood 1; in this embodiment, there are six vent holes 101 with a diameter of 2mm. Multiple threaded holes (not shown in the figure) are provided around the perimeter of the diversion hood 1 for fixing to the diversion plate 2.

[0028] like Figure 4 As shown, the diversion plate 2 is an integral injection molded part, including a first plate 201 and a second plate 202. The two plates are connected by several support columns 203 to form a water collection space.

[0029] like Figure 4 As shown in the left view, the first plate 201 faces the water inlet direction (i.e., towards the inside of the flow divider). A flow-blocking structure 2012, shaped like a circular boss with a height of 5mm, is provided in its central area. Multiple flow-through circular holes 2011 are formed around the flow-blocking structure 2012. In this embodiment, there are 36 flow-through circular holes 2011 arranged in an irregular concentric circle pattern. The holes are uniformly positioned to avoid the flow groove of the second plate. Except for the two rows of holes vertically aligned near the edge of the first plate, the hole diameters are consistent (6mm in the central area and 10mm in the edge area) to achieve a more uniform flow distribution.

[0030] like Figure 4 As shown in the right view, the second plate 202 faces the soft rubber 3 and the flat membrane 4. It has multiple flow channels 2021. In this embodiment, there are 15 flow channels 2021 in total. The length direction of each channel is consistent with the length direction of the diversion plate 2, and the channel width is 5mm, matching the cross-sectional dimensions of the ceramic flat membrane 4. The flow channels 2021 are arranged parallel to each other along the width direction of the second plate 202, with a center-to-center distance of 18mm between adjacent channels.

[0031] There are four support columns 203, each with a diameter of 10mm, located near the four corners of the diversion plate 2. They connect the first plate 201 and the second plate 202 into one unit. The overhead height (i.e., the distance between the two plates) is 8mm, and this space is the water collection space.

[0032] like Figure 5 As shown, the soft rubber 3 is made of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, which has good elasticity. The soft rubber 3 is fixedly disposed on the second plate 202 of the diverter plate 2 (i.e., the side of the second plate 202 facing away from the first plate 201). Its length, width, and thickness are consistent with existing soft rubbers. In this embodiment, the length is 900mm, the width is 280mm, and the thickness is 12mm.

[0033] The soft rubber 3 has the following structure:

[0034] Mounting grooves 301: There are 15 grooves in total. Each mounting groove 301 is a through groove, extending through the entire thickness (12mm) of the soft rubber 3. The cross-sectional dimensions of the mounting groove 301 match the end dimensions of the ceramic flat film 4. In this embodiment, the groove width is 5mm and the groove length is 800mm. Each mounting groove 301 is not a single continuous groove, but is divided into 4 segments, each segment being 190mm long. Adjacent segments are separated by a 10mm long connecting portion 304. The inner wall edges of all mounting grooves 301 are chamfered with a 0.5mm × 45° chamfer.

[0035] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the ceramic flat sheet membrane 4 is a commercially available standard flat sheet ceramic membrane. Each membrane is 820mm long, 280mm wide, and 5mm thick, and its cross-sectional dimensions match the mounting groove 301 and the flow channel 2021. The membrane has a product water side flow channel inside, and the membrane surface is a filter layer. In this embodiment, a total of 15 ceramic flat sheet membranes 4 are used, and the multiple ceramic flat sheet membranes 4 are arranged in parallel and at intervals.

[0036] The assembly process is carried out in the following steps:

[0037] Fixing the soft rubber 3: Fix the soft rubber 3 on the second plate 202 of the diverter plate 2 so that the mounting groove 301 on the soft rubber 3 corresponds to and is aligned with the flow groove 2021 on the diverter plate 2.

[0038] Insertion of the ceramic flat sheet membrane 4: Insert one end (i.e., the end on the permeate side) of each ceramic flat sheet membrane 4 into the corresponding mounting groove 301 of the soft rubber 3. Since the mounting groove 301 is divided into multiple segments and has chamfered edges, it can be inserted smoothly even with slight deviations. After the flat sheet membrane 4 is inserted, its end passes through the entire thickness of the soft rubber 3 and forms a connection with the flow groove 2021 of the diverter plate 2.

[0039] Installation of the diffuser 1: Cover the diffuser 1 onto one side of the first plate 201 of the diffuser plate 2, aligning the threaded hole of the diffuser 1 with the connection hole of the diffuser plate 2. Use a slender screw to pass through the connection hole in sequence and screw it into the threaded hole of the diffuser 1 to fix the diffuser 1 and the diffuser plate 2 in place.

[0040] After assembly, the connection relationships of each component are summarized as follows:

[0041] The flow divider 1 is fixedly connected to the flow divider plate 2.

[0042] The soft rubber 3 is fixedly mounted on the second plate 202 of the diverter plate 2.

[0043] The end of the ceramic flat sheet membrane 4 is inserted into the mounting groove 301 of the soft rubber 3, and its water production side is connected to the flow channel 2021 of the diversion plate 2, thereby communicating with the water collection space between the first plate 201 and the second plate 202.

[0044] The membrane module in this embodiment can operate under two conditions: permeate mode and backwash mode.

[0045] (a) Water production conditions

[0046] Water extraction: The main pipe 102 is connected to a vacuum pump through a pipeline. After the vacuum pump is started, a negative pressure is generated at the main pipe 102. This negative pressure is transmitted to the water collection space inside the diversion plate 2, and then through the flow groove 2021 on the second plate 202 and the mounting groove 301 of the soft rubber 3, and finally acts on the water production side of the ceramic flat sheet membrane 4.

[0047] Membrane filtration: The module is immersed in raw water. Driven by pressure difference, clean water passes through the membrane surface and enters the water production channel inside the membrane, and flows along the water production side to the end outlet, that is, the end of the flat sheet membrane 4 inserted into the soft rubber 3.

[0048] Water collection: After the clean water flows out from the water production side end of the flat sheet membrane 4, it enters the mounting groove 301 of the soft rubber 3. Since the mounting groove 301 is a through groove and matches the size of the flow channel 2021, the water flows smoothly into the flow channel 2021 of the diverter plate 2, and then enters the water collection space surrounded by the first plate 201 and the second plate 202.

[0049] Gas separation and discharge: Raw water often contains dissolved gases (such as air), which easily precipitate and form tiny bubbles under negative pressure. Since the density of gas is much less than that of water, the bubbles continuously rise within the water collection space and eventually accumulate at the top of the distribution hood 1. When the bubbles reach the exhaust port 101, the gas is extracted and discharged through the exhaust port 101 under continuous vacuum pump suction. This process continues, preventing gas accumulation at the top of the membrane from affecting the effective filtration area.

[0050] Water output: After degassing, the clean water passes through the water collection space and the internal cavity of the diversion hood 1, and is finally drawn out from the main pipe 102 and enters the clean water collection system.

[0051] (ii) Backwashing operation

[0052] After the membrane module has been running for a period of time, it needs to be backwashed to restore flux.

[0053] Switching pipelines: By switching the valve, the main pipe 102 can be switched from the vacuum pump to the backwash water pump or compressed air source.

[0054] Backwashing: Backwash water (or air-water mixture) enters the diversion hood 1 from the main pipe 102, passes through the water collection space, the flow channel 2021 and the installation channel 301 in sequence, and enters the product water side of the ceramic flat sheet membrane 4 in reverse, and then flows outward from the membrane surface to wash away the pollutants attached to the membrane surface.

[0055] Those skilled in the art will understand that several adjustments can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the concept of the present invention. For example, the material of the flow divider 1 can be replaced with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polypropylene (PP); the number and diameter of the exhaust holes 101 can be adjusted according to the component size; the shape of the flow-blocking structure 2012 can be conical, rhomboid, or cross-shaped; the cross-sectional shape of the support column 203 can be circular, square, or other shapes; the number of segments of the mounting groove 301 of the soft rubber 3 can be adjusted according to the length of the soft rubber.

[0056] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A high-performance water treatment ceramic flat-sheet membrane module, characterized in that, include: The flow divider (1) is provided with a main pipe port (102) for connecting external pipelines. Diverter plate (2); Soft rubber (3); and At least two ceramic flat sheet membranes (4); The diversion plate (2) includes a first plate (201) and a second plate (202) stacked together. The first plate (201) has a plurality of flow holes (2011) and the second plate (202) has a plurality of flow grooves (2021). The first plate (201) and the second plate (202) are connected in the air by a plurality of support columns (203) to form a water collection space. The soft rubber (3) is disposed on the second plate (202) of the diversion plate (2), and the soft rubber (3) is provided with an installation groove (301) that matches the outer dimensions of the end of the ceramic flat plate membrane (4). The flow divider (1) is fixedly connected to the flow divider plate (2), and the end of the ceramic flat plate membrane (4) is inserted into the mounting groove (301) of the soft rubber (3).

2. The high-performance water treatment ceramic flat-sheet membrane module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first plate (201) is also provided with a flow-blocking structure (2012), which is located in the central area of ​​the first plate (201) and is used to guide the incoming water from the central area to the surrounding area.

3. The high-performance water treatment ceramic flat-sheet membrane module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flow-through circular holes (2011) are arranged in an irregular concentric circle pattern on the first plate (201). The opening positions uniformly avoid the flow-through groove of the second plate (202). Except for the two rows of holes in the vertical direction near the edge of the first plate (201), the diameters of the holes are all the same.

4. The high-performance water treatment ceramic flat-sheet membrane module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diversion hood (1) is provided with an exhaust structure, which is used to discharge accumulated gas under water production conditions.

5. The high-performance water treatment ceramic flat sheet membrane module according to claim 4, characterized in that, The exhaust structure consists of a plurality of exhaust holes (101) spaced equally along the top edge of the diffuser (1).

6. The high-performance water treatment ceramic flat-sheet membrane module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting groove (301) is a through groove extending along the length of the soft rubber (3), the through groove penetrates the thickness of the soft rubber (3), and its inner wall edge is chamfered.

7. The high-performance water treatment ceramic flat-sheet membrane module according to claim 6, characterized in that, The soft rubber (3) has multiple mounting grooves (301) arranged in parallel. Each mounting groove (301) is composed of multiple groove segments arranged at intervals along the length direction, and adjacent groove segments are separated by a connecting part (304).

8. The high-performance water treatment ceramic flat-sheet membrane module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ceramic flat sheet membrane (4) consists of multiple sheets, which are arranged in parallel and at intervals.

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