A RO membrane module for tidal subsea water desalination
By integrating a filter plate, spiral block, and impurity collection structure at the inlet pipe of the RO membrane module, and combining it with a valve core driven by a micro motor, the membrane fouling problem caused by impurities in the subsea water of the tidal flats is solved, achieving efficient filtration and cleaning, and extending the service life of the membrane module.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- JIANGSU MEIRUI ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-02
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-02
AI Technical Summary
Impurities such as suspended particles, silt, and microorganisms in the subsea waters of tidal flats cause fouling of RO membrane modules, reducing desalination efficiency and shortening service life. Traditional RO membrane modules lack effective pretreatment functions and are inconvenient to clean.
The RO membrane module integrates a filter plate, spiral block, backwash port, and impurity collection structure at the inlet pipe. Combined with a valve core driven by a micro motor, it achieves swirling sedimentation and physical filtration of large particles of impurities. The impurities are then introduced into the collection box through the impurity outlet and intermittently discharged using a solenoid valve, supporting backwashing operations.
It effectively protects membrane elements, extends service life, improves filtration efficiency and stability, enhances cleaning efficiency, and adapts to water quality fluctuations in tidal flat environments.
Smart Images

Figure CN224313301U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of RO membrane module technology, specifically an RO membrane module for desalination of seawater in tidal flats. Background Technology
[0002] Currently, subsea water (i.e., water with a salinity between freshwater and typical seawater, usually around 0.5% to 2.5%) in coastal mudflat areas is gradually being regarded as an important supplementary source to alleviate water shortages in coastal cities and island areas due to its abundant water reserves and convenient access. Especially in areas where groundwater resources are over-exploited or affected by saltwater intrusion, subsea water desalination is becoming a feasible alternative water supply method.
[0003] The subsea water in existing tidal flat areas often carries a large amount of suspended particles, silt, organic debris, and microorganisms. Directly entering RO membrane modules will exacerbate membrane fouling, reduce desalination efficiency, and even shorten the membrane's lifespan. Most traditional RO membrane modules lack targeted pretreatment functions, especially in field or tidal flat environments, making it difficult to cope with water quality fluctuations and the impact of large particulate impurities. Furthermore, cleaning the membrane modules after fouling is inconvenient, resulting in low maintenance efficiency and affecting the long-term stable operation of the equipment.
[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to design an RO membrane module for desalination of subsea water in tidal flats to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content
[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an RO membrane module for desalination of subseawater in tidal flats, in order to solve the technical problems mentioned in the background art.
[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: an RO membrane module for desalination of subsea water in tidal flats, comprising an RO membrane element, an inlet pipe on the outer surface of the RO membrane element, and a backflushing port on the inlet pipe, a first fixing block fixedly connected to the outer surface of the inlet pipe, a micro motor fixedly connected to the top of the first fixing block, a rotating shaft fixedly connected to the output shaft of the micro motor, and a valve core fixedly connected to the bottom end of the rotating shaft. A second fixing block is fixedly connected inside the water inlet pipe. A positioning post is fixedly connected to one end of the backflushing port. A threaded connecting pipe is threaded to one side of the water inlet pipe. A positioning ring is fixedly connected inside the threaded connecting pipe. A filter plate is slidably arranged inside the water inlet pipe. A spiral block is fixedly connected inside the threaded connecting pipe. A central post is fixedly connected to the center of the spiral block. An impurity outlet is connected to the bottom of the threaded connecting pipe. A collection box is fixedly sleeved at the bottom end of the impurity outlet. A debris collection component is fixedly connected to the top of the inner cavity of the collection box. A drain solenoid valve is installed at the bottom of the collection box. The bottom end of the debris collection component is connected to the top end of the drain solenoid valve.
[0007] Preferably, one side of the outer surface of the filter plate is in contact with one side of the positioning ring, and one end of the positioning post is in contact with one side of the filter plate, and the filter plate is located between the spiral block and the valve core.
[0008] Preferably, the valve core is rotatably disposed inside the water inlet pipe, and the outer surface of the valve core is in contact with the inside of the water inlet pipe, and the valve core is circular in shape.
[0009] Preferably, the backflush port is located between the filter plate and the valve core, and the impurity outlet is located on the side of the filter plate away from the second fixing block.
[0010] Preferably, a threaded interface is fixed to one side of the threaded connecting pipe, and the outer surface of the RO membrane element is provided with a concentrate outlet and a product water outlet.
[0011] Preferably, the shape of the waste collection component is funnel-shaped, and the bottom diameter of the waste collection component is smaller than the top diameter of the waste collection component, and the second fixing block has a pointed tip on the outer surface of one side of the filter plate.
[0012] The technical solution provided by this utility model has the following advantages compared with the prior art:
[0013] This invention integrates a filter plate, spiral block, backwash port, and impurity collection structure at the inlet pipe of the RO membrane module. This enables the swirling sedimentation and physical filtration of large particles before seawater enters the membrane module, effectively protecting the membrane element from fouling. Simultaneously, a micro-motor driven valve core structure allows for water flow control and backwashing operations, improving cleaning efficiency. Impurities are guided into a collection tank through a dedicated impurity outlet and intermittently discharged via a solenoid valve, preventing clogging and accumulation. The overall structure is compact and highly integrated, significantly extending the service life of the RO membrane module and improving filtration efficiency and stability in tidal flat environments. Attached Figure Description
[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;
[0015] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the water inlet pipe structure of this utility model;
[0016] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the threaded connecting pipe structure of this utility model;
[0017] In the diagram: 1. RO membrane; 2. Concentrate outlet; 3. Product water outlet; 4. Inlet pipe; 5. Threaded connection pipe; 6. Threaded interface; 7. Collection box; 8. Impurity outlet; 9. Drain solenoid valve; 10. Backflush port; 11. Micro motor; 12. First fixing block; 13. Spiral block; 14. Central column; 15. Positioning ring; 16. Filter plate; 17. Rotating shaft; 18. Valve core; 19. Positioning column; 20. Second fixing block; 21. Impurity collection part. Detailed Implementation
[0018] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention.
[0019] Obviously, many specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention may also be implemented in other ways than those described herein. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed in the following specification.
[0020] Please see Figure 1-3This utility model provides an RO membrane module for desalination of subsea water in tidal flats, including an RO membrane component 1. The outer surface of the RO membrane component 1 is provided with an inlet pipe 4, and the inlet pipe 4 is provided with a backflushing port 10. A first fixing block 12 is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the inlet pipe 4. A micro motor 11 is fixedly connected to the top of the first fixing block 12. The output shaft of the micro motor 11 is fixedly connected to a rotating shaft 17. A valve core 18 is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the rotating shaft 17. A second fixing block 20 is fixedly connected inside the inlet pipe 4. A positioning post 19 is fixedly connected to one end of the backflushing port 10. A threaded connecting pipe 5 is threadedly connected to one side of the inlet pipe 4. A positioning ring 15 is fixedly connected inside the threaded connecting pipe 5. A filter plate 16 is slidably arranged inside the inlet pipe 4. A spiral block 13 is fixedly connected inside the threaded connecting pipe 5. A central post 14 is fixedly connected to the center of the spiral block 13. An impurity outlet 8 is connected to the bottom of the threaded connecting pipe 5. A collection box 7 is fixedly sleeved at the bottom of the impurity outlet 8. A debris collector 21 is fixedly connected to the top of the inner cavity of the collection box 7. A drain solenoid valve 9 is installed at the bottom of the collection box 7. The bottom end of the debris collector 21 is connected to the top end of the drain solenoid valve 9. When the sub-seawater of the tidal flat needs to enter the RO membrane device 1 for RO membrane filtration, it first enters the inlet pipe 4 through the threaded connecting pipe 5 for seawater input. During the input process, the sub-seawater of the tidal flat is pre-filtered through the filter plate 16, thereby removing large particles. Impurities are screened out to avoid affecting the overall lifespan and filtration efficiency of the RO membrane. Simultaneously, the screened large particles are sent to the collection tank 7 through the impurity outlet 8 by impact and gravity. The large particles collected in the collection unit 21 are periodically discharged by the intermittent opening and closing of the drain solenoid valve 9, further improving the overall filtration effect of the device for large particles. During the entire seawater transport process, the spiral block 13 facilitates the formation of a swirling flow, causing sediment to deflect towards the pipe wall and grooves, facilitating subsequent cleaning. At the same time, the opening of the backflush port 10 and the rotation of the valve core 18 regulate the opening and closing of the water flow in the inlet pipe 4. When the inlet pipe 4 is closed, backflush can be performed through the backflush port 10, improving the cleaning efficiency of the device for subsequent use. If the device is damaged, the filter can be inspected and replaced by unscrewing the threaded connecting pipe 5. Through the cooperation of multiple components, the lifespan of the RO membrane 1 and the filtration efficiency for subseawater in the tidal flats are improved.
[0021] After the threaded connecting pipe 5 is threadedly connected to the water inlet pipe 4, the filter plate 16 can be positioned by the positioning ring 15 and the positioning post 19, which facilitates the filtration of large particles. One side of the outer surface of the filter plate 16 is in contact with one side of the positioning ring 15, and one end of the positioning post 19 is in contact with one side of the filter plate 16. The filter plate 16 is located between the spiral block 13 and the valve core 18.
[0022] In order to adjust the opening and closing of the water inlet pipe 4 in a timely manner, the valve core 18 is rotatably disposed inside the water inlet pipe 4, and the outer surface of the valve core 18 is in contact with the inside of the water inlet pipe 4, and the valve core 18 is circular in shape.
[0023] Furthermore, in order to improve the subsequent filtration efficiency by backflushing the threaded connecting pipe 5 when the RO membrane 1 is not working, the backflushing port 10 is opened between the filter plate 16 and the valve core 18, and the impurity outlet 8 is located on the side of the filter plate 16 away from the second fixing block 20.
[0024] Furthermore, in order to discharge the concentrate and permeate from the RO membrane 1, and to facilitate the connection of the seawater inlet pipe to the tidal flat subsea, a threaded interface 6 is fixedly connected to one side of the threaded connecting pipe 5, and a concentrate outlet 2 and a permeate outlet 3 are provided on the outer surface of the RO membrane 1.
[0025] In order to facilitate the collection of large particulate impurities and to discharge them intermittently through the drain solenoid valve 9, the shape of the impurity collector 21 is funnel-shaped, and the bottom diameter of the impurity collector 21 is smaller than the top diameter of the impurity collector 21. The second fixing block 20 has a pointed tip on the outer surface of one side of the filter plate 16.
[0026] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific details of the above embodiments. Within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention, various simple modifications can be made to the technical solution of the present invention, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.
[0027] It should also be noted that the various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable way without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, this utility model will not describe the various possible combinations separately.
[0028] Furthermore, various different embodiments of this utility model can be combined in any way, as long as they do not violate the spirit of this utility model, they should also be regarded as the content disclosed by this utility model.
Claims
1. An RO membrane module for desalination of sub-seawater in tidal flats, comprising an RO membrane element (1), characterized in that: The outer surface of the RO membrane (1) is provided with an inlet pipe (4), and the inlet pipe (4) is provided with a backflushing port (10). A first fixing block (12) is fixed to the outer surface of the inlet pipe (4). A micro motor (11) is fixed to the top of the first fixing block (12). A rotating shaft (17) is fixed to the output shaft of the micro motor (11). A valve core (18) is fixed to the bottom end of the rotating shaft (17). A second fixing block (20) is fixed to the inside of the inlet pipe (4). A positioning pin (19) is fixed to one end of the backflushing port (10). A threaded connecting pipe (5) is threaded to one side of the inlet pipe (4). A positioning ring (15) is fixed inside the threaded connecting pipe (5). A filter plate (16) is slidably installed inside the water inlet pipe (4). A spiral block (13) is fixed inside the threaded connecting pipe (5). A central column (14) is fixed at the center of the spiral block (13). An impurity outlet (8) is connected to the bottom of the threaded connecting pipe (5). A collection box (7) is fixedly sleeved at the bottom end of the impurity outlet (8). A collection component (21) is fixedly installed at the top of the inner cavity of the collection box (7). A drain solenoid valve (9) is installed at the bottom of the collection box (7). The bottom end of the collection component (21) is connected to the top end of the drain solenoid valve (9).
2. The RO membrane module for desalination of sub-seawater in tidal flats according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer surface of the filter plate (16) is attached to one side of the positioning ring (15), and one end of the positioning post (19) is attached to one side of the filter plate (16). The filter plate (16) is located between the spiral block (13) and the valve core (18).
3. The RO membrane module for desalination of sub-seawater in tidal flats according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve core (18) is rotatably disposed inside the water inlet pipe (4), and the outer surface of the valve core (18) is in contact with the inside of the water inlet pipe (4), and the valve core (18) is circular in shape.
4. The RO membrane module for desalination of sub-seawater in tidal flats according to claim 1, characterized in that: The backflush port (10) is located between the filter plate (16) and the valve core (18), and the impurity outlet (8) is located on the side of the filter plate (16) away from the second fixing block (20).
5. The RO membrane module for desalination of sub-seawater in tidal flats according to claim 1, characterized in that: The threaded connection pipe (5) has a threaded interface (6) fixed on one side, and the outer surface of the RO membrane (1) is provided with a concentrate outlet (2) and a product water outlet (3).
6. The RO membrane module for desalination of sub-seawater in tidal flats according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shape of the collection part (21) is funnel-shaped, and the bottom diameter of the collection part (21) is smaller than the top diameter of the collection part (21). The second fixing block (20) has a pointed tip on the outer surface of one side of the filter plate (16).