Water Treatment Systems

Abstract

To provide a water treatment system capable of suppressing membrane contamination caused during water treatment at a relatively low cost and without reducing the water permeability of the filtration membrane itself.SOLUTION: A water treatment system includes a biological treatment part for biological treatment of wastewater, and a membrane part for filtration of wastewater treated in the biological treatment part, wherein at least one selected from the group consisting of the biological treatment part and the membrane part comprises a number of quorum sensing suppression media confined within a predetermined space therein.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water treatment system, and more particularly to a water treatment system that can suppress membrane fouling that occurs during water treatment at relatively low cost and without reducing the water permeability of the filtration membrane itself. [Background technology]

[0002] A membrane bioreactor system (hereinafter referred to as "MBR system") is a water treatment system that combines a biological treatment process with a membrane separation process to remove pollutants from wastewater.

[0003] Generally, an MBR system can include a flow control tank, an anoxic tank, an anaerobic tank, an aerobic tank, and a membrane tank. The anoxic, anaerobic, and aerobic tanks biologically treat wastewater (i.e., contaminants such as organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus are removed by microorganisms), and the membrane tank performs filtration for solid-liquid separation.

[0004] During filtration in the separation membrane tank, microorganisms present in the wastewater attach and grow on the surface of the filtration membrane, forming a biofilm, which causes membrane fouling. Such membrane fouling reduces the separation performance and filtration efficiency of the filtration membrane and increases energy consumption.

[0005] Microorganisms secrete specific signal substances in response to changes in various environmental conditions, such as temperature, pH, and nutrients. When the density of microorganisms increases and the concentration of these signal substances reaches a certain level, the microorganisms exhibit collective behaviors, such as biofilm formation. The process by which microorganisms recognize that the concentration of the signal substance has reached a certain level is called "quorum sensing."

[0006] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0034935 (hereinafter referred to as "Patent Document 1"), which is incorporated herein by reference, proposes immobilizing quorum-quenching microbes capable of producing enzymes capable of degrading the signal substance used in quorum sensing on a carrier, and then introducing the carrier into the wastewater in a separation membrane tank. Patent Document 1 explains that the carrier on which the quorum-quenching microbes are immobilized not only can inhibit biofilm formation through molecular biology, but also becomes fluid through aeration in the water in the separation membrane tank, and can induce the detachment of existing biofilms by directly impacting the surface of the filtration membrane.

[0007] However, in most MBR systems, a portion (e.g., two-thirds) of the wastewater from the separation membrane tank is returned to the anoxic or anaerobic tank as return activated sludge (RAS), while the remaining portion (e.g., one-third) is removed from the MBR system by being discharged from the separation membrane tank as waste activated sludge (WAS) or surplus activated sludge (SAS). Therefore, in Patent Document 1, in which carriers on which quorum-sensing inhibitory microorganisms are immobilized are fluidly dispersed in the wastewater from the separation membrane tank, the carriers must be continuously removed along with the waste activated sludge (WAS) or surplus activated sludge (SAS). Therefore, to maintain membrane fouling prevention during operation of the MBR system, the carriers on which the microorganisms are immobilized must be continuously added to the separation membrane tank, which reduces the economic viability of the MBR system.

[0008] Meanwhile, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2022-0161764 (hereinafter referred to as "Patent Document 2"), which is incorporated herein by reference, proposes attaching quorum-sensing inhibitory microorganisms to the filtration membrane itself through a hydrophilic polymer.

[0009] However, the filtration membrane of Patent Document 2 can only exhibit relatively low water permeability because the quorum-sensing inhibitory microorganisms attached thereto can act as a type of contaminant, and this problem is also acknowledged in Patent Document 2. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0034935 [Patent Document 2] Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2022-0161764 [Patent Document 3] Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0062257A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] Therefore, the present invention relates to a water treatment system that can avoid the problems caused by the limitations and shortcomings of the prior art as described above.

[0012] An aspect of the present invention is to provide a water treatment system that can suppress membrane fouling during water treatment at a relatively low cost and without reducing the water permeability of the filtration membrane itself.

[0013] In addition to the above-mentioned aspects of the present invention, other features and advantages of the present invention will be described below, and will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from such description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention as described above, there is provided a water treatment system including a biological treatment unit for biologically treating wastewater; and a separation membrane unit for filtering the wastewater treated in the biological treatment unit, wherein at least one selected from the group consisting of the biological treatment unit and the separation membrane unit includes a plurality of quorum quenching media confined within a predetermined space therein.

[0015] The plurality of quorum sensing suppression media may be confined within the predetermined space by a mesh-shaped container.

[0016] Each of the quorum-sensing suppression media may include a carrier and a quorum-sensing suppression microorganism immobilized on the carrier.

[0017] The carrier may be a hydrogel having a three-dimensional network structure containing at least one selected from the group consisting of alginate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, and polyurethane.

[0018] The separation membrane unit may include a tank into which the wastewater treated in the biological treatment unit flows, and at least one membrane filtration apparatus that is at least partially immersed in the wastewater that flows into the tank and performs a filtration operation.

[0019] The separation membrane unit may further include a mesh container attached to the tank so that at least a portion of the mesh container is immersed in the wastewater, and at least a portion of each quorum sensing suppression medium may be disposed within the mesh container, and each quorum sensing suppression medium may have a particle size larger than the pore size of the mesh container.

[0020] The membrane filtration device may include a skid frame; a plurality of membrane modules mounted in the skid frame; and at least one quorum quenching module mounted in the skid frame. The quorum sensing and suppression module may include upper and lower headers detachably coupled to the skid frame, respectively; and a mesh container disposed between the upper and lower headers, with both ends coupled to the upper and lower headers, respectively. At least a portion of each quorum sensing and suppression medium may be disposed in the mesh container, and each quorum sensing and suppression medium may have a particle size larger than the pore size of the mesh container.

[0021] The separation membrane unit may further include a driving unit for reciprocating motion of the membrane filtration device.

[0022] The separation membrane unit may further include a first rail that can reciprocate together with the membrane filtration device; a second rail that can guide the reciprocating motion of the membrane filtration device; and a free roller between the first rail and the second rail that can move relatively to both the first and second rails.

[0023] The separation membrane unit may include a plurality of the membrane filtration devices, and the separation membrane unit may further include a reciprocating frame to which the plurality of membrane filtration devices are individually fastened. The driving unit may implement the reciprocating motion of each of the membrane filtration devices through the reciprocating frame. The reciprocating frame may have a bottom surface facing the free roller, and the first rail may be attached to the bottom surface of the reciprocating frame.

[0024] The first rail is elastically mounted on the bottom surface of the reciprocating frame, so that the distance between the first rail and the reciprocating frame can be variable.

[0025] The separation membrane unit may further include a guide frame provided on an upper portion of the tank, the guide frame may have a top surface facing the free roller, and the second rail may be attached to the top surface of the guide frame.

[0026] The separation membrane unit may further include a pivot member having a central hole, a first end of the pivot member may be pivotally connected to the guide frame, and a second end of the pivot member may be a two-pronged end having first and second fingers. Also, a rotating shaft connected to a rotation axis of the free roller may pass through the central hole of the pivot member, and a protrusion provided on the reciprocating frame may be disposed in a gap between the first and second fingers.

[0027] The separation membrane unit may include a plurality of the membrane filtration devices, and each of the membrane filtration devices may include a skid frame and a plurality of membrane modules mounted in the skid frame. The skid frame may include a supporting frame; a lower horizontal frame; an upper horizontal frame between the supporting frame and the lower horizontal frame; and a plurality of vertical members connecting the supporting frame, the upper horizontal frame, and the lower horizontal frame. The supporting frame may have a bottom surface facing the free roller, and the first rail may be mounted on the bottom surface of the supporting frame.

[0028] The first rail is elastically mounted on the bottom surface of the support frame, so that the distance between the first rail and the support frame can be variable.

[0029] The separation membrane unit may further include a guide frame provided on an upper portion of the tank, the guide frame may have an upper surface facing the free roller, and the second rail may be attached to the upper surface of the guide frame.

[0030] The separation membrane unit may further include a pivot member having a central hole, a first end of the pivot member may be pivotally connected to the guide frame, and a second end of the pivot member may be a bifurcated end having first and second fingers. Also, a rotation shaft connected to a rotation axis of the free roller may pass through the central hole of the pivot member, and a protrusion provided on the support frame may be disposed in a gap between the first and second fingers.

[0031] The support frames of the plurality of membrane filtration devices may be detachably fastened to each other, and each of the membrane filtration devices may further include a lifting hook receiver provided on the support frame.

[0032] The biological treatment unit may include at least one selected from the group consisting of an anoxic tank, an anaerobic tank, and an aerobic tank.

[0033] The biological treatment unit may include the aerobic tank, and at least a portion of each of the quorum sensing suppression media may be confined within a predetermined space within the aerobic tank.

[0034] The biological treatment unit may include the anoxic tank or the anaerobic tank, and at least a portion of each quorum sensing suppression medium may be confined within a predetermined space within the anoxic tank or the anaerobic tank.

[0035] The water treatment system may further include a flow adjustment tank for adjusting the flow rate of wastewater supplied to the biological treatment unit.

[0036] The above general description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative and explanatory only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0037] According to the present invention, the biological treatment unit and / or separation membrane unit contain quorum sensing suppression media, thereby preventing biofilm formation and membrane fouling due to quorum sensing by microorganisms. Furthermore, because the quorum sensing suppression media are confined within a predetermined space within the biological treatment unit and / or separation membrane unit, the quorum sensing suppression media are prevented from being removed along with waste activated sludge (WAS) or excess activated sludge (SAS) when they are discharged from the separation membrane unit and removed from the water treatment system. Therefore, unlike Patent Document 1, the present invention improves the economic efficiency of the water treatment system by preventing or minimizing the loss of the quorum sensing suppression media. Furthermore, unlike Patent Document 2, the quorum sensing suppression media are confined within a predetermined space separated from the filtration membrane, so the water permeability of the filtration membrane itself (i.e., initial water permeability) is not adversely affected by the quorum sensing suppression media.

[0038] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the filtration membrane cleaning in the separation membrane unit is performed using a membrane-reciprocating method rather than an aeration method, thereby dramatically reducing energy consumption. Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the new concept of "free rollers" that are not fixed or attached to any frame is adopted, allowing the load of the membrane filtration device to be evenly distributed to all free rollers during filtration. Therefore, damage to parts (especially rollers) due to uneven load is prevented, thereby dramatically reducing operation and maintenance costs and suppressing noise generation during filtration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0039] The accompanying drawings, which are intended to promote an understanding of the invention and are incorporated into this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0040] [Figure 1]1(a) to 1(c) are diagrams each showing a schematic view of a water treatment system according to a first to third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a membrane filtration device of a water treatment system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a separation membrane unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a membrane filtration device of the separation membrane section. [Figure 5] 1(a) and 1(b) are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, that schematically show a guide mechanism of the separation membrane unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a double-deck type membrane filtration device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10(a) and 10(b) are cross-sectional views schematically showing a guide mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10A, 10B, and 10C are a perspective view, a cross-sectional view, and a front view, respectively, schematically illustrating a guide mechanism according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a separation membrane unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a membrane filtration device of the separation membrane section. [Figure 11] 1(a) and 1(b) are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, that schematically show a guide mechanism of the separation membrane unit. [Figure 12] 10(a) and 10(b) are cross-sectional views schematically showing a guide mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 10A, 10B, and 10C are a perspective view, a cross-sectional view, and a front view, respectively, schematically illustrating a guide mechanism according to still another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] 1(a) to 1(c) are schematic diagrams illustrating water treatment systems according to first to third embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in Fig. 1(a) to 1(c), the water treatment system of the present invention includes biological treatment units 20a, 20b, and 20c for biological treatment of wastewater, and a separation membrane unit 40 for filtering the wastewater treated in the biological treatment units 20a, 20b, and 20c.

[0043] The biological treatment units 20a, 20b, and 20c can include at least one selected from the group consisting of an anoxic tank, an anaerobic tank, and an aerobic tank. That is, the biological treatment units 20a, 20b, and 20c of the present invention can have different configurations depending on the type of wastewater to be treated (i.e., the type of major pollutants).

[0044] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1(a), a biological treatment unit 20a of a water treatment system according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a first tank 21a, a second tank 22a, and a third tank 23a. The first tank 21a may be an anoxic tank in which nitrite and / or nitrate are reduced to nitrogen gas and removed by denitrifying microorganisms. The second tank 22a may be an anaerobic tank in which a phosphorus-releasing reaction is carried out by anaerobic microorganisms. The third tank 23a may be an aerobic tank in which organic matter is decomposed into carbon dioxide and water by aerobic microorganisms and ammonia nitrogen is nitrified into nitrite or nitrate by nitrifying microorganisms. In some cases, the order of the anoxic tank and the anaerobic tank may be reversed.

[0045] Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 1(b), the biological treatment unit 20b of the water treatment system according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a first tank 21b and a second tank 22b, and the first tank 21b may be an anoxic tank, and the second tank 22b may be an anaerobic tank or an aerobic tank.

[0046] The biological treatment unit 20c of the water treatment system according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes only one tank 21c, as illustrated in FIG. 1(c), which may be an anoxic tank, an anaerobic tank, or an aerobic tank.

[0047] 1(a) to 1(c), the water treatment system of the present invention may further include a flow rate regulator 10 as an optional element. The flow rate regulator 10 may regulate the flow rate of wastewater supplied to the biological treatment units 20a, 20b, and 20c and equalize the quality of the wastewater.

[0048] The wastewater supplied from the flow rate adjustment unit 10 is biologically treated while passing through the biological treatment units 20a, 20b, and 20c, and then flows into the separation membrane unit 40. In the separation membrane unit 40, solid-liquid separation (i.e., filtration) is performed on the wastewater treated in the biological treatment units 20a, 20b, and 20c.

[0049] A portion of the wastewater flowing into the separation membrane section 40 is returned to the tanks 21a, 21b, and 21c of the biological treatment sections 20a, 20b, and 20c as return activated sludge (RAS), while the remainder is removed from the water treatment system by being discharged from the separation membrane section 40 as waste activated sludge (WAS) or excess activated sludge (SAS).

[0050] According to the present invention, at least one selected from the group consisting of the biological treatment units 20a, 20b, and 20c and the separation membrane unit 40 includes a plurality of quorum sensing suppression media 31 confined within a predetermined space therein. That is, although Fig. 1(a) to (c) each illustrate a water treatment system in which all of the biological treatment units 20a, 20b, and 20c and the separation membrane unit 40 include the quorum sensing suppression media 31, only one of them may include the quorum sensing suppression media 31.

[0051] In this specification, the term "confined within a predetermined space" means that each of the quorum sensing suppression media can only move within the predetermined space during water treatment operation and cannot escape from the predetermined space.

[0052] 1(a) to 1(c), the separation membrane unit 40 of the present invention includes a tank 100 into which wastewater treated in the biological treatment units 20a, 20b, and 20c flows, and at least one membrane filtration device 1000 that is at least partially immersed in the wastewater flowing into the tank 100 and performs a filtering operation. Also, as described above, the separation membrane unit 40 of the present invention may include a plurality of quorum sensing suppression media 31 confined within a predetermined space within the tank 100. Each of the quorum sensing suppression media 31 may include a carrier and a quorum sensing suppression microorganism immobilized on the carrier.

[0053] The carrier on which the quorum-sensing inhibitory microorganism is immobilized may be a hydrogel with a three-dimensional network structure containing at least one selected from the group consisting of alginate (e.g., sodium alginate), polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, and polyurethane.

[0054] The quorum-sensing-inhibitory microorganism is a microorganism capable of producing an enzyme (e.g., lactonase, acylase, etc.) capable of degrading a signal substance (N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHL)) used in quorum sensing. For example, Rhodococcus sp. BH4, Pseudomonas sp. KS2, Pseudomonas sp. 1A1, Pseudomonas sp. KS10, Bacillus sp. SDC-U1, etc., can be used as the quorum-sensing-inhibitory microorganism of the present invention.

[0055] The quorum-sensing activity of each of the quorum-sensing inhibitory microorganisms was tested, and all of them showed a tendency to degrade AHLs with longer carbon groups (e.g., C8, C10, 3-oxo-C12) more quickly. However, it was confirmed that Pseudomonas 1A1 and Pseudomonas KS10 cannot degrade AHLs with shorter carbon groups (e.g., C4, C6, 3-oxo-C6). Therefore, it is preferable to use Rhodococcus BH4, Pseudomonas KS2, and Bacillus SDC-U1 as the quorum-sensing inhibitory microorganisms, and it is even more preferable to use Rhodococcus BH4, which has been confirmed to degrade AHLs with short carbon groups most quickly.

[0056] For example, the quorum-sensing inhibiting medium 31 can be manufactured by a method including growing the quorum-sensing inhibiting microorganism in a shackled culture, centrifuging the shackled culture and removing the supernatant (i.e., culture medium) to obtain a microbial aggregate, washing the microbial aggregate with a buffer solution and suspending it in ultrapure water to obtain a microbial suspension, mixing the microbial suspension with a carrier polymer solution (e.g., an alginate solution) to obtain a mixture, injecting the mixture into a calcium chloride solution to induce a crosslinking reaction, and drying the network-structured hydrogel obtained through the crosslinking reaction. A method for manufacturing the quorum-sensing inhibiting medium 31 is disclosed in detail in U.S. Patent No. 5,949,493, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0057] The quorum sensing suppression media 31 of the separation membrane unit 40 can prevent the formation of a biofilm due to quorum sensing by each microorganism and the resulting membrane contamination.

[0058] 1(a) to 1(c), the separation membrane unit 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a mesh-type container 32 attached to the tank 100 so that at least a portion of the mesh-type container 32 is immersed in the wastewater, and at least a portion of each quorum sensing suppression medium 31 may be disposed within the mesh-type container 32. Each quorum sensing suppression medium 31 may be confined within the mesh-type container 32 by having a particle size larger than the pore size of the mesh-type container 32. That is, at least a portion of the quorum sensing suppression medium 31 may be confined within a predetermined space within the separation membrane unit 40 by the mesh-type container 32.

[0059] The mesh container 32 may be attached to the tank 100, for example, through a support (not shown). For example, the support may be placed on top of the tank 100 and detachably fixed to the tank 100 by fastening means such as bolts, and the mesh container 32 may be suspended from the support and at least a portion of the mesh container 32 may be immersed in the wastewater in the tank 100. By separating the support from the tank 100 and then removing the mesh container 32 together with the support from the tank 100, the quorum sensing suppression medium 31 can be easily added and replaced.

[0060] In the biological treatment units 20a, 20b, and 20c, signal substances used for quorum sensing are also excreted from microorganisms, and therefore, when the wastewater biologically treated in the biological treatment units 20a, 20b, and 20c flows into the separation membrane unit 40, the signal substances may also flow in. Such inflow of signal substances may reduce the quorum sensing suppression effect of the separation membrane unit 40.

[0061] Therefore, as described above, in addition to or instead of the separation membrane portion 40, the biological treatment portion 20a, 20b, 20c may include a number of quorum sensing suppression media 31 confined within a predetermined space therein.

[0062] In particular, if the amount of signal substance newly generated within the separation membrane unit 40 is extremely small compared to the amount of signal substance flowing from the biological treatment units 20a, 20b, and 20c into the separation membrane unit 40 because the time the wastewater remains in the separation membrane unit 40 is relatively short, only the biological treatment units 20a, 20b, and 20c may include the quorum sensing suppression medium 31. The quorum sensing suppression medium 31 decomposes the signal substance discharged from the microorganisms in the biological treatment units 20a, 20b, and 20c, thereby preventing or minimizing the signal substance from flowing into the separation membrane unit 40.

[0063] Like each quorum sensing suppression medium 31 of the separation membrane section 40, each quorum sensing suppression medium 31 of the biological treatment sections 20a, 20b, and 20c is also placed within a mesh-type container 32 and may be confined within the mesh-type container 32 (i.e., within a specified space within the biological treatment sections 20a, 20b, and 20c) by having a particle size larger than the pore size of the mesh-type container 32.

[0064] FIG. 1(a) illustrates a biological treatment unit 20a in which only the third tank 23a (i.e., the aerobic tank) among the first to third tanks 21a, 22a, and 23a contains a quorum sensing inhibition medium 31 therein, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first and / or second tanks 21a and 22a (i.e., the anoxic tank and / or anaerobic tank) may also contain a quorum sensing inhibition medium therein in order to achieve the purpose of preventing or minimizing the signal substance from flowing into the separation membrane unit 40.

[0065] Similarly, Figure 1(b) illustrates a biological treatment unit 20b in which only the second tank 22b (i.e., the anaerobic tank or the aerobic tank) of the first and second tanks 21b and 22b contains the quorum sensing inhibition medium 31 therein, but in order to achieve the purpose of preventing or minimizing the signal substance from flowing into the separation membrane unit 40, the first tank 21b (i.e., the anoxic tank) may also contain the quorum sensing inhibition medium therein.

[0066] In summary, the biological treatment units 20a, 20b, and 20c may include an aerobic tank, and at least a portion of each quorum sensing suppression medium 31 may be confined within a predetermined space in the aerobic tank through the mesh container 32. Alternatively or additionally, the biological treatment units 20a, 20b, and 20c may include an anoxic tank and / or an anaerobic tank, and at least a portion of each quorum sensing suppression medium 31 may be confined within a predetermined space in the anoxic tank and / or anaerobic tank through the mesh container 32.

[0067] 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment for confining each quorum sensing suppression medium 31 within a predetermined space within the separation membrane unit 40. As illustrated in FIG. 2, at least a portion of each quorum sensing suppression medium 31 of the separation membrane unit 40 may be integrated into the membrane filtration device 1000.

[0068] More specifically, the membrane filtration device 1000 of this embodiment may include a skid frame 1100, a number of membrane modules 1200 mounted within the skid frame 1100, and at least one quorum sensing and suppression module 1300 mounted within the skid frame.

[0069] The skid frame 1100 may include an upper horizontal frame 1110, a lower horizontal frame 1120, and a number of vertical members 1130 connecting the upper horizontal frame 1110 and the lower horizontal frame 1120.

[0070] Although not shown in the drawings, to increase mechanical durability, the skid frame 1100 may further include a number of reinforcing rods that connect each vertical member 1130 to the upper and lower horizontal frames 1110, 1120 in various ways.

[0071] Each of the membrane modules 1200 may include an upper header 1211 having a first discharge port OP1 at one end, a lower header 1212 having a second discharge port OP2 at one end, and a filtration membrane 1220 in fluid communication with the upper header 1211 and the lower header 1212.

[0072] One end and the other end of the filtration membrane 1220 are fixed to the upper header 1211 and the lower header 1212, respectively, through potting layers 1230. The filtration membrane 1220 is in fluid communication with the upper header 1211 and the lower header 1212, respectively, so that filtrate that has permeated the filtration membrane 1220 flows into the water-collecting spaces of the upper header 1211 and the lower header 1212, respectively. The filtrate is then discharged from the membrane module 1200 through a first discharge port OP1 of the upper header 1211 and a second discharge port OP2 of the lower header 1212.

[0073] In FIG. 2, the filtration membrane 1220 is exemplified as a hollow fiber membrane having a length direction parallel to each of the vertical members 1130, but the filtration membrane 1220 of the present invention is not limited to this and may also be a flat membrane.

[0074] The membrane module 1200 is mounted in the skid frame 1100 by fastening the upper header 1211 and the lower header 1212 to the upper horizontal frame 1110 and the lower horizontal frame 1120 , respectively.

[0075] Specifically, the upper horizontal frame 1110 may include an upper cross pipe 1111 to which one end of the upper header 1211 is fastened via the first discharge port OP1, an upper cross bar 1112 to which the other end of the upper header 1211 is fastened, a first upper horizontal member 1113 connecting one end of the upper cross pipe 1111 to one end of the upper cross bar 1112, and a second upper horizontal member 1114 connecting the other end of the upper cross pipe 1111 to the other end of the upper cross bar 1112. The first discharge port OP1 of the upper header 1211 is inserted into the first hole H1 of the upper cross pipe 1111, thereby fastening one end of the upper header 1211 to the upper cross pipe 1111. The filtered water discharged from the upper header 1211 through the first discharge port OP1 flows into the upper cross pipe 1111 and then flows out through the filtered water discharge port POP.

[0076] Similarly, the lower horizontal frame 1120 may include a lower cross pipe 1121 to which one end of the lower header 1212 is fastened through the second discharge port OP2, a lower cross bar 1122 to which the other end of the lower header 1212 is fastened, a first lower horizontal member 1123 connecting one end of the lower cross pipe 1121 to one end of the lower cross bar 1122, and a second lower horizontal member 1124 connecting the other end of the lower cross pipe 1121 to the other end of the lower cross bar 1122. The second discharge port OP2 of the lower header 1212 is inserted into the second hole H2 of the lower cross pipe 1121, thereby fastening one end of the lower header 1212 to the lower cross pipe 1121. Filtered water discharged from the lower header 1212 through the second discharge port OP2 flows into the lower cross pipe 1121.

[0077] At least one of the vertical members 1130 connecting the upper cross pipe 1111 and the lower cross pipe 1121 has a pipe shape that is fluidly connected thereto, so that the filtered water flowing into the lower cross pipe 1121 flows into the upper cross pipe 1111 and can then be discharged to the outside through the filtered water discharge port POP.

[0078] Alternatively, a separate filtered water discharge port may be formed in the lower cross pipe 1121 so that the filtered water flowing into the lower cross pipe 1121 can be discharged to the outside through the separate filtered water discharge port.

[0079] The other end of the upper header 1211 is fastened to the upper crossbar 1112. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a first rib R1 provided on the upper crossbar 1112 may be inserted into a first receiving member 1241 provided on the other end of the upper header 1211, thereby fastening the other end of the upper header 1211 to the upper crossbar 1112.

[0080] Similarly, the second rib R2 provided on the lower crossbar 1122 can be inserted into the second receiving member 1242 provided on the other end of the lower header 1212, thereby fastening the other end of the lower header 1212 to the lower crossbar 1122.

[0081] 2, the at least one quorum sensing suppression module 1300 may include an upper header 1311, a lower header 1312, and a mesh container 1320 disposed between the upper header 1311 and the lower header 1312, with both ends connected to the upper and lower headers 1311 and 1312, respectively. Each quorum sensing suppression medium 31 of the present invention may be disposed in the mesh container 1320. Each quorum sensing suppression medium 31 may be confined within the mesh container 1320 by having a particle size larger than the pore size of the mesh container 1320.

[0082] The quorum sensing and suppression module 1300 can be mounted in the skid frame 1100 in substantially the same manner as the membrane module 1200 described above.

[0083] The upper and lower headers 1311 and 1312 of the quorum sensing suppression module 1300 may have substantially the same structure as the upper and lower headers 1211 and 1212 of the membrane module 1200. That is, each of the upper and lower headers 1311 and 1312 of the quorum sensing suppression module 1300 may also have an empty space therein and may be connected to the mesh container 1320 through a potting layer (not shown). However, to prevent filtered water produced by the membrane module 1200 from flowing into the empty spaces of the upper and lower headers 1311 and 1312 through the cross pipes 1111 and 1121, the discharge ports of each of the upper and lower headers 1311 and 1312 of the quorum sensing suppression module 1300 may be clogged.

[0084] Alternatively, the upper and lower headers 1311, 1312 of the quorum sensing suppression module 1300 may have a structure with no empty space therein, and both ends of the mesh-type container 1320 may be connected to the upper and lower headers 1311, 1312, respectively, through conventional mechanical and / or chemical bonding methods.

[0085] In summary, the quorum sensing suppression media 31 of the present invention may be confined within a predetermined space by a mesh container 32 disposed within the biological treatment units 20a, 20b, and 20c and / or the separation membrane unit 40, as illustrated in Figures 1(a) to 1(c), or may be confined within a predetermined space within the separation membrane unit 40 by a mesh container 1320 of the quorum sensing suppression module 1300 integrated into the membrane filtration apparatus 1000, as illustrated in Figure 2. Therefore, when waste activated sludge (WAS) or excess activated sludge (SAS) is discharged from the separation membrane unit 40 and removed from the water treatment system, it is possible to prevent or minimize the loss of the quorum sensing suppression media 31, thereby improving the economic efficiency of the water treatment system. In addition, since each quorum sensing suppression medium 31 is present apart from the filtration membrane 1220, there is no risk that the water permeability (i.e., initial water permeability) of the filtration membrane 1220 itself will be reduced by the quorum sensing suppression medium 31.

[0086] As solid-liquid separation proceeds in the membrane filtration device 1000, contaminants may adhere to the surface of the filtration membrane 1220, reducing the permeability of the filtration membrane 1220. Therefore, a cleaning process is required to separate the contaminants from the surface of the filtration membrane 1220. This cleaning process is typically performed through an aeration method in which air supplied from a blower is sprayed onto the filtration membrane through aeration holes in an aeration tube to remove contaminants from the membrane surface. However, cleaning using the aeration method increases the energy consumption of the blower.

[0087] To overcome this aeration cleaning problem, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0062257A (hereinafter referred to as "Patent Document 3") proposed an apparatus and method for preventing or reducing membrane fouling through the reciprocating motion of filtration membranes within wastewater to be treated. Specifically, Patent Document 3 teaches fastening multiple membrane filtration devices together to a single reciprocating frame equipped with multiple rollers, and cleaning each filtration membrane of each membrane filtration device by reciprocating the reciprocating frame along guide rails using a drive unit during water treatment operations.

[0088] The method of Patent Document 3 has the advantage of consuming less energy than the aeration cleaning method. However, due to differences in flatness between the reciprocating frame and the guide rail, all rollers of the reciprocating frame cannot simultaneously contact the guide rail. This causes a load bias on some rollers that contact the guide rail, accelerating roller wear and bearing damage. Furthermore, repeated contact and non-contact between the rollers and the guide rail occurs during the reciprocating movement of the reciprocating frame, causing not only roller damage due to contact impact but also considerable noise.

[0089] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a separation membrane unit 40 that can clean the filtration membrane 1220 with relatively little energy consumption and can prevent damage to components and noise generation.

[0090] Hereinafter, the separation membrane unit 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0091] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a separation membrane unit 40 according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a membrane filtration device 1000 of the separation membrane unit 40, and Figures 5 (a) and (b) are an oblique view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, schematically showing a guide mechanism of the separation membrane unit 40.

[0092] For simplicity of the drawing and easy understanding of the invention, the membrane filtration device 1000 has been omitted in FIG.

[0093] As illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, the separation membrane unit 40 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a tank 100 into which wastewater to be treated flows, at least one membrane filtration device 1000 that is at least partially immersed in the wastewater and capable of performing filtration, a drive unit 200 for reciprocating movement of the membrane filtration device 1000, a first rail 300 that can reciprocate together with the membrane filtration device 1000, a second rail 400 that can guide the reciprocating movement of the membrane filtration device 1000, and free rollers 500 between the first rail 300 and the second rail 400.

[0094] Unlike Patent Document 3, in which multiple rollers are fixedly coupled to a reciprocating frame, the free rollers 500 of the present invention are not fixedly attached to any frame and are therefore capable of relative movement with respect to both the first and second rails 300 and 400. During filtration, the load of each membrane filtration device 1000 can be evenly distributed to the free rollers 500 of the present invention. As a result, the separation membrane unit 40 of the present invention not only enables cleaning of the filtration membranes using less energy than that required in a diffused air cleaning method, but also prevents damage to parts (especially rollers) due to concentrated loads, thereby significantly reducing operation and maintenance costs and suppressing noise generation during filtration.

[0095] The separation membrane unit 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a reciprocating frame 600 to which a plurality of membrane filtration devices 1000 are individually fastened. The driving unit 200 can realize the reciprocating motion of each of the membrane filtration devices 1000 through the reciprocating frame 600.

[0096] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the driving unit 200 may include a motor 210, a power transmission member 220 connected to the reciprocating frame 600, and a motion conversion mechanism 230 that can convert the rotational motion of the motor 210 into the linear reciprocating motion of the power transmission member 220.

[0097] The motion conversion mechanism 230 may be a crank-rod mechanism. That is, the motion conversion mechanism 230 may include a crankshaft 231 rotated by the motor 210 and a connecting rod 232 having one end connected to the crankshaft 231 and the other end connected to the power transmission member 220. Alternatively, the motion conversion mechanism 230 may be a cam-follower mechanism.

[0098] 4, each of the membrane filtration devices 1000 fastened to the reciprocating frame 600 may include a skid frame 1100 and a number of membrane modules 1200 mounted therein. Although not shown in the drawing, as described above, at least one of the membrane filtration devices 1000 may further include at least one quorum sensing and suppression module 1300 mounted within the skid frame 1100.

[0099] The skid frame 1100 may include an upper horizontal frame 1110, a lower horizontal frame 1120, and a number of vertical members 1130 connecting the upper horizontal frame 1110 and the lower horizontal frame 1120. The skid frame 1100 may be fastened to the reciprocating frame 600 by various known methods.

[0100] 4, each vertical member 1130 may be extended to pass through the upper horizontal frame 1110. These extensions may also be fastened to the reciprocating frame 600, allowing each membrane module 1200 of the membrane filtration device 1000 to be immersed in the wastewater and perform filtering even when the drive unit 200, the reciprocating frame 600, the first and second rails 300 and 400, and the free rollers 500 are not immersed in the wastewater in the tank 100. This not only minimizes the number of parts that are susceptible to corrosion due to immersion in wastewater, but also minimizes the need for a separate chemical treatment to inhibit corrosion.

[0101] Although not shown in the drawings, to increase mechanical durability, the skid frame 1100 may further include a number of reinforcing rods that connect each vertical member 1130 to the upper and lower horizontal frames 1110, 1120 in various ways.

[0102] Each of the membrane modules 1200 may include an upper header 1211 having a first discharge port OP1 at one end, a lower header 1212 having a second discharge port OP2 at one end, and a filtration membrane 1220 in fluid communication with the upper header 1211 and the lower header 1212.

[0103] One end and the other end of the filtration membrane 1220 are fixed to the upper header 1211 and the lower header 1212, respectively, through potting layers 1230. The filtration membrane 1220 is in fluid communication with the upper header 1211 and the lower header 1212, respectively, so that the filtrate that has permeated the filtration membrane 1220 flows into the water collection spaces of the upper header 1211 and the lower header 1212, respectively. Then, the filtrate is discharged from the membrane module 1200 through a first discharge port OP1 of the upper header 1211 and a second discharge port OP2 of the lower header 1212.

[0104] In FIG. 4, the filtration membrane 1220 is exemplified as a hollow fiber membrane having a length direction parallel to each of the vertical members 1130, but the filtration membrane 1220 of the present invention is not limited thereto and may also be a flat membrane.

[0105] The membrane module 1200 is mounted in the skid frame 1100 by fastening the upper header 1211 and the lower header 1212 to the upper horizontal frame 1110 and the lower horizontal frame 1120 , respectively.

[0106] Specifically, the upper horizontal frame 1110 may include an upper cross pipe 1111 to which one end of the upper header 1211 is fastened through the first discharge port OP1, an upper cross bar 1112 to which the other end of the upper header 1211 is fastened, a first upper horizontal member 1113 connecting one end of the upper cross pipe 1111 to one end of the upper cross bar 1112, and a second upper horizontal member 1114 connecting the other end of the upper cross pipe 1111 to the other end of the upper cross bar 1112. The first discharge port OP1 of the upper header 1211 is inserted into the first hole H1 of the upper cross pipe 1111, thereby fastening one end of the upper header 1211 to the upper cross pipe 1111. The filtered water discharged from the upper header 1211 through the first discharge port OP1 flows into the upper cross pipe 1111 and then flows out through the filtered water discharge port POP.

[0107] Similarly, the lower horizontal frame 1120 may include a lower cross pipe 1121 to which one end of the lower header 1212 is fastened through the second discharge port OP2, a lower cross bar 1122 to which the other end of the lower header 1212 is fastened, a first lower horizontal member 1123 connecting one end of the lower cross pipe 1121 to one end of the lower cross bar 1122, and a second lower horizontal member 1124 connecting the other end of the lower cross pipe 1121 to the other end of the lower cross bar 1122. The second discharge port OP2 of the lower header 1212 is inserted into the second hole H2 of the lower cross pipe 1121, thereby fastening one end of the lower header 1212 to the lower cross pipe 1121. Filtered water discharged from the lower header 1212 through the second discharge port OP2 flows into the lower cross pipe 1121.

[0108] At least one of the vertical members 1130 connecting the upper cross pipe 1111 and the lower cross pipe 1121 has a pipe shape that is fluidly connected thereto, so that the filtered water flowing into the lower cross pipe 1121 flows into the upper cross pipe 1111 and can then be discharged to the outside through the filtered water discharge port POP.

[0109] Alternatively, a separate filtered water discharge port may be formed in the lower cross pipe 1121 so that the filtered water flowing into the lower cross pipe 1121 can be discharged to the outside through the separate filtered water discharge port.

[0110] The other end of the upper header 1211 is fastened to the upper crossbar 1112. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a first rib R1 provided on the upper crossbar 1112 may be inserted into a first receiving member 1241 provided on the other end of the upper header 1211, thereby fastening the other end of the upper header 1211 to the upper crossbar 1112.

[0111] Similarly, the second rib R2 provided on the lower crossbar 1122 can be inserted into the second receiving member 1242 provided on the other end of the lower header 1212, thereby fastening the other end of the lower header 1212 to the lower crossbar 1122.

[0112] The reciprocating frame 600, to which the plurality of membrane filtration devices 1000 are respectively fastened, has a bottom surface facing the free rollers 500, and the first rail 300 is attached to the bottom surface of the reciprocating frame 600. Therefore, when the reciprocating frame 600 is reciprocated by the driving unit 200, the first rail 300 of the present invention can reciprocate together with each of the membrane filtration devices 1000.

[0113] 3 and 5, the separation membrane unit 40 may further include a guide frame 700 provided in the tank 100. The guide frame 700 may have an upper surface facing the free rollers 500, and the second rail 400 may be attached to the upper surface of the guide frame 700.

[0114] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a double-deck type membrane filtration device 2000 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0115] 6, the double-deck type membrane filtration apparatus 2000 includes a skid frame 2100 having first and second internal spaces, a first membrane module 2200a mounted in the first internal space, and a second membrane module 2200b mounted in the second internal space. Although not shown in the drawing, as described above, the membrane filtration apparatus 2000 may further include at least one quorum sensing and suppression module 1300 mounted in the first and / or second spaces.

[0116] The skid frame 2100 may include an upper horizontal frame 2110, a lower horizontal frame 2120, and a number of vertical members 2130 connecting the upper horizontal frame 2110 and the lower horizontal frame 2120. Each vertical member 2130 may extend to pass through the upper horizontal frame 2110. In addition, these extensions may be fastened to the reciprocating frame 600.

[0117] Although not shown in the drawings, in order to increase mechanical durability, the skid frame 2100 may further include a number of reinforcing rods that connect each vertical member 2130 to the upper and lower horizontal frames 2110, 2120 in various ways.

[0118] Each of the first and second membrane modules 2200a, 2200b may include an upper header 1211 having a first discharge port OP1 at one end, a lower header 1212 having a second discharge port OP2 at one end, and a filtration membrane 1220 in fluid communication with the upper header 1211 and the lower header 1212.

[0119] One end and the other end of the filtration membrane 1220 are fixed to the upper header 1211 and the lower header 1212, respectively, through potting layers 1230. The filtration membrane 1220 is in fluid communication with the upper header 1211 and the lower header 1212, respectively, so that the filtered water that has permeated the filtration membrane 1220 flows into the water collecting spaces of the upper header 1211 and the lower header 1212, respectively. Then, the filtered water is discharged from each of the membrane modules 2200a and 2200b through a first discharge port OP1 of the upper header 1211 and a second discharge port OP2 of the lower header 1212.

[0120] In Figure 6, the filtration membrane 1220 is exemplified as a hollow fiber membrane having a length direction parallel to each of the vertical members 2130, but the filtration membrane 1220 of the present invention is not limited to this and may also be a flat membrane.

[0121] The upper header 1211 and the lower header 1212 are fastened to the upper horizontal frame 2110 and the lower horizontal frame 2120, respectively, so that the first and second membrane modules 2200a and 2200b are mounted on the skid frame 2100, respectively.

[0122] Specifically, the upper horizontal frame 2110 may include a common upper cross pipe 2111, first and second upper cross bars 2112a and 2112b, a first upper horizontal member 2113 connecting one end of the common upper cross pipe 2111 to one ends of the first and second upper cross bars 2112a and 2112b, and a second upper horizontal member 2114 connecting the other end of the common upper cross pipe 2111 to the other ends of the first and second upper cross bars 2112a and 2112b. The common upper cross pipe 2111 has a length direction parallel to the first and second upper cross bars 2112a and 2112b and is disposed between the first upper cross bar 2112a and the second upper cross bar 2112b.

[0123] The common upper cross pipe 2111 has first holes H1 on both the side facing the first upper cross bar 2112a and the opposite side (i.e., the side facing the second upper cross bar 2112b). First discharge ports OP1 of the first and second membrane modules 2200a and 2200b are inserted into the first holes H1, respectively, such that one end of each upper header 1211 of the first and second membrane modules 2200a and 2200b is fastened to the common upper cross pipe 2111. Filtrate discharged through each first discharge port OP1 of the first and second membrane modules 2200a and 2200b flows into the common upper cross pipe 2111 and then flows out through a filtrate discharge port POP.

[0124] Similarly, the lower horizontal frame 2120 may include a common lower cross pipe 2121, first and second lower cross bars 2122a and 2122b, a first lower horizontal member 2123 connecting one end of the common lower cross pipe 2121 to one ends of the first and second lower cross bars 2122a and 2122b, and a second lower horizontal member 2124 connecting the other end of the common lower cross pipe 2121 to the other ends of the first and second lower cross bars 2122a and 2122b. The common lower cross pipe 2121 has a length direction parallel to the first and second lower cross bars 2122a and 2122b and is disposed between the first lower cross bar 2122a and the second lower cross bar 2122b.

[0125] The common lower cross pipe 2121 has second holes H2 on each of its surface facing the first lower cross bar 2122a and its opposite surface (i.e., the surface facing the second lower cross bar 2122b). Second discharge ports OP2 of the first and second membrane modules 2200a and 2200b are inserted into the second holes H2, respectively, such that one end of each lower header 1212 of the first and second membrane modules 2200a and 2200b is fastened to the common lower cross pipe 2121. Filtrate discharged through the second discharge ports OP2 of the first and second membrane modules 2200a and 2200b flows into the common lower cross pipe 2121.

[0126] At least one of the vertical members 2130 connecting the common upper cross pipe 2111 and the common lower cross pipe 2121 has a pipe shape that is fluidly connected thereto, so that the filtered water flowing into the common lower cross pipe 2121 flows into the common upper cross pipe 2111 and can then be discharged to the outside through the filtered water discharge port POP.

[0127] Alternatively, a separate filtered water discharge port may be formed in the common lower cross pipe 2121 so that the filtered water flowing into the common lower cross pipe 2121 can be discharged to the outside through the separate filtered water discharge port.

[0128] The other ends of the upper headers 1211 of the first and second membrane modules 2200a and 2200b are fastened to the first and second upper crossbars 2112a and 2112b, respectively. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 6, first ribs R1 provided on the first and second upper crossbars 2112a and 2112b may be inserted into first receiving members 1241 provided on the other ends of the upper headers 1211 of the first and second membrane modules 2200a and 2200b, respectively, thereby fastening the other ends of the upper headers 1211 of the first and second membrane modules 2200a and 2200b to the first and second upper crossbars 2112a and 2112b, respectively.

[0129] Similarly, the second ribs R2 provided on the first and second lower crossbars 2122a and 2122b are inserted into the second receiving members 1242 provided on the other ends of the lower headers 1212 of the first and second membrane modules 2200a and 2200b, respectively, so that the other ends of the lower headers 1212 of the first and second membrane modules 2200a and 2200b can be fastened to the first and second lower crossbars 2122a and 2122b, respectively.

[0130] Due to the increased integration of the membrane modules 2200a and 2200b within the skid frame 2100, the double-deck type membrane filtration device 2000 described above has an improved recovery rate.

[0131] 7(a) and 7(b) are cross-sectional views schematically showing a guide mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0132] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first rail 300 may be elastically mounted to the bottom surface of the reciprocating frame 600 so that the distance between the first rail 300 and the reciprocating frame 600 may be variable (i.e., d1<->d2).

[0133] 7, the reciprocating frame 600 may have a through-hole TH extending from an upper surface opposite the bottom surface to the bottom surface, and the first rail 300 may be attached to the bottom surface of the reciprocating frame 600 through a coupling member 810. The coupling member 810 may include a head 811 located on the upper surface of the reciprocating frame 600, a screw end 812 inserted into the first rail 300, and a central body 813 between the head 811 and the screw end 812.

[0134] The central body 813 is movable along the through-hole TH and has a length longer than the through-hole TH. An elastic member 820 is interposed between the reciprocating frame 600 and the first rail 300. For example, the central body 813 may include an exposed portion between the bottom surface of the reciprocating frame 600 and the first rail 300, and the elastic member 820 may be a spring surrounding the exposed portion.

[0135] The free rollers 500 of the present invention, which are not fixed or attached to any frame, can constantly maintain contact with the second rail 400 on the guide frame 700 due to the action of gravity. However, due to differences in flatness between the reciprocating frame 600 and the guide frame 700, contact between the first rail 300 attached to the bottom surface of the reciprocating frame 600 and the free rollers 500 cannot always be maintained. However, according to the guide mechanism according to the above-described other embodiment of the present invention, even if a gap between a portion of the reciprocating frame 600 and the guide frame 700 temporarily increases due to differences in flatness between the reciprocating frame 600 and the guide frame 700 during reciprocation, the first rail 300 corresponding to that portion moves toward the corresponding free roller 500 due to the elastic force of the elastic member 820, thereby constantly maintaining firm contact between the first rail 300 and the free rollers 500. Therefore, damage to the free rollers 500 due to uneven load on some of the free rollers 500 can be prevented. In addition, damage to the free rollers 500 and noise generation due to repeated contact and non-contact between the first rail 300 and the free rollers 500 can be prevented.

[0136] 8(a), (b), and (c) are a perspective view, a cross-sectional view, and a front view, respectively, that schematically show a guide mechanism according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0137] 8, the separation membrane unit 40 of the present invention may further include a pivot member 910 having a central hole CH. A first end of the pivot member 910 may be pivotally connected to the guide frame 700, and a second end of the pivot member 910 may be a two-pronged end having first and second fingers 911 and 912.

[0138] A rotation shaft 510 connected to the rotation axis of the free roller 500 may pass through the central hole CH of the pivot member 910, and a protrusion 610 provided on the reciprocating frame 600 may be disposed in the gap between the first finger 911 and the second finger 912. The protrusion 610 may be a circular ring member connected to the reciprocating frame 600 by a screw.

[0139] The reciprocating motion of the reciprocating frame 600 performed by the drive unit 200 generates (i) rotation and reciprocating motion of the free roller 500, (ii) pivoting motion of the pivot member 910, and (iii) relative reciprocating motion of the protrusion 610 with respect to the pivot member 910 within the gap between the first finger 911 and second finger 912 (along the length of the gap).

[0140] The pivot member 910 can prevent separation of the free roller 500 of the present invention. Optionally, the separation membrane unit 40 may further include a separation-preventing member 920 coupled to the end of the rotating shaft 510 passing through the central hole CH of the pivot member 910.

[0141] The separation membrane unit 40 of the present invention may adopt either one of the guide mechanism of FIG. 7 and the guide mechanism of FIG. 8, or may adopt a combination of all of them.

[0142] Hereinafter, the separation membrane unit 40 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0143] Figure 9 is an oblique view schematically showing a separation membrane unit 40 according to another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 10 is an exploded oblique view schematically showing a membrane filtration device 3000 of the separation membrane unit 40, and Figures 11 (a) and (b) are oblique and cross-sectional views, respectively, schematically showing the guide mechanism of the separation membrane unit 40.

[0144] It should be noted that in FIG. 9, for the sake of simplicity of the drawing and easy understanding of the invention, the tanks and membrane modules have been omitted.

[0145] As illustrated in Figures 9 to 11, a separation membrane unit 40 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of membrane filtration devices 3000 that are at least partially immersed in wastewater flowing into a tank (not shown) to perform filtration, a drive unit 200 for reciprocating movement of each of the membrane filtration devices 3000, a first rail 300 that can reciprocate together with each of the membrane filtration devices 3000, a second rail 400 that can guide the reciprocating movement of each of the membrane filtration devices 3000, and free rollers 500 between the first rail 300 and the second rail 400.

[0146] Like the separation membrane unit 40 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the free rollers 500 according to the present invention are not fixed or attached to any frame, and are therefore capable of moving relative to both the first and second rails 300 and 400. Furthermore, during filtration, the load of each membrane filtration device 3000 can be evenly distributed to the free rollers 500 according to the present invention. Consequently, the separation membrane unit 40 according to the other embodiment of the present invention not only enables cleaning of the filtration membrane using less energy than that required in the air-diffusion cleaning method, but also prevents damage to components (especially rollers) due to concentrated loads, thereby significantly reducing operation and maintenance costs and suppressing noise generation during filtration.

[0147] 10, each of the membrane filtration devices 3000 may include a skid frame 3100 and a number of membrane modules 3200 mounted within the skid frame 3100. Although not shown in the drawing, as described above, at least one of the membrane filtration devices 3000 may further include at least one quorum sensing and suppression module 1300 mounted within the skid frame 3100.

[0148] The skid frame 3100 may include a support frame 3140, a lower horizontal frame 3120, an upper horizontal frame 3110 between the support frame 3140 and the lower horizontal frame 3120, and a number of vertical members 3130 connecting the support frame 3140, the upper horizontal frame 3110, and the lower horizontal frame 3120.

[0149] Although not shown in the drawings, in order to increase mechanical durability, the skid frame 3100 may further include a number of reinforcing rods that connect the support frame 3140, the upper and lower horizontal frames 3110, 3120, and each vertical member 3130 in various ways.

[0150] The support frame 3140 may have a bottom surface facing the free rollers 500, and the first rail 300 may be attached to the bottom surface of the support frame 3140. Therefore, when the membrane filtration devices 3000 are reciprocated by the driving unit 200, the first rail 300 of the present invention may reciprocate together with each membrane filtration device 3000.

[0151] Each of the membrane modules 3200 may include an upper header 3211 having a first discharge port OP1 at one end, a lower header 3212 having a second discharge port OP2 at one end, and a filtration membrane 3220 in fluid communication with the upper header 3211 and the lower header 3212.

[0152] One end and the other end of the filtration membrane 3220 are fixed to the upper and lower headers 3211 and 3212, respectively, through potting layers 3230. The filtration membrane 3220 is in fluid communication with the upper and lower headers 3211 and 3212, respectively, so that the filtered water that has permeated the filtration membrane 3220 flows into the water collecting spaces of the upper and lower headers 3211 and 3212, respectively. Then, the filtered water is discharged from the membrane module 3200 through the discharge ports OP1 and OP2 of the upper and lower headers 3211 and 3212, respectively.

[0153] The membrane module 3200 is mounted in the skid frame 3100 by fastening the upper and lower headers 3211 and 3212 to the upper and lower horizontal frames 3110 and 3120, respectively.

[0154] Specifically, the upper horizontal frame 3110 may include an upper cross pipe 3111 to which one end of the upper header 3211 is fastened through the first discharge port OP1, an upper cross bar 3112 to which the other end of the upper header 3211 is fastened, a first upper horizontal member 3113 connecting one end of the upper cross pipe 3111 to one end of the upper cross bar 3112, and a second upper horizontal member 3114 connecting the other end of the upper cross pipe 3111 to the other end of the upper cross bar 3112. The first discharge port OP1 of the upper header 3211 is inserted into the first hole H1 of the upper cross pipe 3111, thereby fastening one end of the upper header 3211 to the upper cross pipe 3111. The filtered water discharged from the upper header 3211 through the first discharge port OP1 flows into the upper cross pipe 3111 and then flows out through the filtered water discharge port POP.

[0155] Similarly, the lower horizontal frame 3120 may include a lower cross pipe 3121 to which one end of the lower header 3212 is fastened through the second discharge port OP2, a lower cross bar 3122 to which the other end of the lower header 3212 is fastened, a first lower horizontal member 3123 connecting one end of the lower cross pipe 3121 to one end of the lower cross bar 3122, and a second lower horizontal member 3124 connecting the other end of the lower cross pipe 3121 to the other end of the lower cross bar 3122. The second discharge port OP2 of the lower header 3212 is inserted into the second hole H2 of the lower cross pipe 3121, thereby fastening one end of the lower header 3212 to the lower cross pipe 3121. Filtered water discharged from the lower header 3212 through the second discharge port OP2 flows into the lower cross pipe 3121.

[0156] At least one of the vertical members 3130 connecting the upper cross pipe 3111 and the lower cross pipe 3121 has a pipe shape that is fluidly connected thereto, so that the filtered water flowing into the lower cross pipe 3121 flows into the upper cross pipe 3111 and can then be discharged to the outside through the filtered water discharge port POP.

[0157] Alternatively, a separate filtered water discharge port may be formed in the lower cross pipe 3121 so that the filtered water flowing into the lower cross pipe 3121 can be discharged to the outside through the separate filtered water discharge port.

[0158] The other end of the upper header 3211 is fastened to the upper crossbar 3112. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 10, a first rib R1 provided on the upper crossbar 3112 may be inserted into a first receiving member 3241 provided on the other end of the upper header 3211, thereby fastening the other end of the upper header 3211 to the upper crossbar 3112.

[0159] Similarly, the second rib R2 provided on the lower crossbar 3122 can be inserted into the second receiving member 3242 provided on the other end of the lower header 3212, thereby fastening the other end of the lower header 3212 to the lower crossbar 3122.

[0160] According to the separation membrane unit 40, the support frame 3140 is disposed on the upper and lower horizontal frames 3110 and 3120 on which the membrane modules 3200 are mounted, and the first rail 300 is mounted on the support frame 3140. Therefore, even if the driving unit 200, the support frame 3140, the first and second rails 300 and 400, and the free rollers 500 are not immersed in wastewater, each membrane module 3200 of the membrane filtration device 3000 can be immersed in the wastewater to perform a filtering operation. Therefore, not only can the number of parts that are immersed in wastewater and thus vulnerable to corrosion be minimized, but the need for a separate chemical treatment to inhibit corrosion can also be minimized.

[0161] Instead of the membrane filtration device 3000 illustrated in Fig. 10, a membrane filtration device in which the support frame 3140 is fastened to the double-deck type membrane filtration device 2000 illustrated in Fig. 6 may be used. In this case, the first rail 300 is also attached to the bottom surface of the support frame 3140.

[0162] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the support frame 3140 of the skid frame 3100 may include a pair of parallel bars 3141, 3142 to which the first rails 300 are respectively attached, and at least one connecting bar 3143, 3144 connecting the pair of parallel bars 3141, 3142, and each of the vertical members 3130 may be connected to the connecting bars 3143, 3144.

[0163] As illustrated in Figures 9 and 11, the separation membrane unit 40 may further include a guide frame 700 provided in a tank (not shown), the guide frame 700 may have an upper surface facing the free roller 500, and the second rail 400 may be attached to the upper surface of the guide frame.

[0164] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the driving unit 200 may include a motor 210, a power transmission member 220 connected to the membrane filtration device 3000, and a motion conversion mechanism 230 that can convert the rotational motion of the motor 210 into the linear reciprocating motion of the power transmission member 220.

[0165] The motion conversion mechanism 230 may be a crank rod mechanism. That is, the motion conversion mechanism 230 may include a crankshaft rotated by the motor 210 and a connecting rod having one end connected to the crankshaft and the other end connected to the power transmission member 220. Alternatively, the motion conversion mechanism 230 may be a cam follower mechanism.

[0166] The separation membrane unit 40 of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 9 includes a plurality of membrane filtration units arranged in a line along the direction of the linear reciprocating motion. For example, the power transmission member 220 of the drive unit 200 is directly fastened to the support frame of the first membrane filtration unit, and the support frame of the first membrane filtration unit is directly fastened to the support frame of the second membrane filtration unit. Therefore, the drive unit 200 serves as a direct driving source for the reciprocating motion of the first membrane filtration unit, and the first membrane filtration unit serves as a direct driving source for the reciprocating motion of the second membrane filtration unit. In other words, the drive unit 200 acts as an indirect driving source for the remaining membrane filtration units except for the membrane filtration unit directly fastened to it.

[0167] The support frame 3140 of each membrane filtration device 3000 may be detachably fastened to the power transmission member 220 and / or the support frame 3140 of other membrane filtration devices, for example, by using bolts. Therefore, if one of the multiple membrane filtration devices 3000 is damaged, it can be removed from the tank and repaired or replaced. As a result, maintenance and repair of the separation membrane unit 40 can be easily performed at a relatively low cost. To easily remove only the damaged membrane filtration device from the tank, each membrane filtration device 3000 may further include a lifting hook receiver 3150 provided on the support frame 3140.

[0168] The separation membrane unit 40 according to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 9 to 11 differs from the separation membrane unit 40 according to the embodiment illustrated in Patent Document 3 and Figures 3 to 5 in that it does not use a "reciprocating frame." The reciprocating frame must be large enough to accommodate multiple membrane filtration devices. Therefore, (i) due to transportation restrictions such as traffic regulations, each part of the reciprocating frame must be transported individually to the water treatment site and then welded together to complete the reciprocating frame, which is inconvenient, and (ii) if damage occurs to a part of any one membrane filtration device (e.g., a membrane module), repairing it requires lifting the heavy reciprocating frame and all of the membrane filtration devices attached to it, which is difficult and inconvenient. In contrast, according to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 9 to 11, which do not employ a reciprocating frame, (i) the need to transport the reciprocating frame separately and weld them together can be eliminated, allowing the separation membrane unit 40 to be easily installed at a relatively low cost, and (ii) if damage occurs to any one of the membrane filtration devices during the filtration operation, only the corresponding membrane filtration device can be separated and removed from the tank, making maintenance and repair of the separation membrane unit 40 relatively easy and significantly reducing costs.

[0169] 12(a) and 12(b) are cross-sectional views schematically showing a guide mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0170] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first rail 300 may be elastically attached to the bottom surface of the support frame 3140 so that the distance between the first rail 300 and the support frame 3140 of the membrane filtration device 3000 may be variable (i.e., d1<->d2).

[0171] 12, the support frame 3140 may have a through hole TH extending from an upper surface opposite the bottom surface to the bottom surface, and the first rail 300 may be attached to the bottom surface of the support frame 3140 through a coupling member 810. The coupling member 810 may include a head 811 located on the upper surface of the support frame 3140, a screw end 812 inserted into the first rail 300, and a central body 813 between the head 811 and the screw end 812.

[0172] The central body 813 is movable along the through hole TH and has a length longer than the through hole TH. An elastic member 820 is interposed between the support frame 3140 and the first rail 300. For example, the central body 813 may include an exposed portion between the bottom surface of the support frame 3140 and the first rail 300, and the elastic member 820 may be a spring surrounding the exposed portion.

[0173] The free rollers 500 of the present invention, which are not fixed or coupled to any frame, can constantly maintain contact with the second rail 400 on the guide frame 700 due to the action of gravity. However, due to differences in flatness between the support frame 3140 and the guide frame 700, contact between the first rail 300 attached to the bottom surface of the support frame 3140 and the free rollers 500 may not always be maintained. However, according to the guide mechanism according to the above-described other embodiment of the present invention, even if a gap between a portion of the support frame 3140 and the guide frame 700 temporarily increases during reciprocating motion due to differences in flatness between the support frame 3140 and the guide frame 700, the first rail 300 corresponding to that portion moves toward the corresponding free roller 500 due to the elastic force of the elastic member 820, thereby constantly maintaining firm contact between the first rail 300 and the free rollers 500. Therefore, damage to the free rollers 500 due to uneven load on some of the free rollers 500 can be prevented. In addition, damage to the free rollers 500 and noise generation due to repeated contact and non-contact between the first rail 300 and the free rollers 500 can be prevented.

[0174] 13(a), (b), and (c) are a perspective view, a cross-sectional view, and a front view, respectively, that schematically show a guide mechanism according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0175] 13, the separation membrane unit 40 may further include a pivot member 910 having a central hole CH. A first end of the pivot member 910 may be pivotally connected to the guide frame 700, and a second end of the pivot member 910 may be a two-pronged end having first and second fingers 911 and 912.

[0176] A rotation shaft 510 connected to the rotation axis of the free roller 500 may pass through the central hole CH of the pivot member 910, and a protrusion 3141 provided on the support frame 3140 may be disposed in the gap between the first finger 911 and the second finger 912. The protrusion 3141 may be a circular ring member connected to the support frame 3140 by a screw.

[0177] By adopting a forked end instead of an end with an elongated hole as the second end of the pivot member 910, it is possible to prevent the protrusion 3141 from acting as an obstacle when separating and removing only the damaged membrane filtration device 3000.

[0178] The reciprocating motion of the membrane filtration device 3000 performed by the drive unit 200 generates (i) rotation and reciprocating motion of the free roller 500, (ii) pivoting motion of the pivot member 910, and (iii) relative reciprocating motion of the protrusion 3141 with respect to the pivot member 910 within the gap between the first finger 911 and the second finger 912 (along the length of the gap).

[0179] The pivot member 910 can prevent separation of the free roller 500 of the present invention. Optionally, the separation membrane unit 40 may further include a separation prevention member 920 coupled to the end of the rotation shaft 510 passing through the central hole CH of the pivot member 910.

[0180] The above-mentioned guide mechanism of FIG. 12 and the guide mechanism of FIG. 13 can be adopted independently of each other or in combination.

Claims

1. a biological treatment unit for the biological treatment of wastewater; and a separation membrane unit for filtering the wastewater treated in the biological treatment unit; Including, At least one selected from the group consisting of the biological treatment unit and the separation membrane unit includes a plurality of quorum sensing suppression media confined within a predetermined space therein; The separation membrane section is a tank into which the wastewater treated in the biological treatment unit flows; at least one membrane filtration device that is at least partially immersed in the wastewater that has flowed into the tank and performs a filtration operation; a drive unit for reciprocating the membrane filtration device; a first rail capable of reciprocating with the membrane filtration device; A second rail capable of guiding the reciprocating motion of the membrane filtration device; and The water treatment system includes a free roller between said first rail and said second rail, said free roller being movable relative to all of said first and second rails.

2. The water treatment system according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of quorum sensing suppression media are confined within the predetermined space by a mesh container.

3. Each of the quorum sensing suppression media comprises: a carrier; and a quorum-sensing inhibitory microorganism immobilized on said carrier; The water treatment system of claim 1 , comprising:

4. The water treatment system according to claim 3 , wherein the carrier is a hydrogel having a three-dimensional network structure containing at least one selected from the group consisting of alginate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, and polyurethane.

5. The separation membrane unit further includes a mesh container attached to the tank so that at least a portion of the mesh container is immersed in the wastewater, At least a portion of each of the quorum sensing suppression media is disposed within the mesh container; The water treatment system of claim 1 , wherein each of the quorum sensing suppression media has a particle size larger than the pore size of the mesh container.

6. The membrane filtration device is Skid frame; a plurality of membrane modules mounted within the skid frame; and at least one quorum sensing and suppression module mounted within said skid frame; Including, The quorum sensing suppression module includes: upper and lower headers, each detachably coupled to the skid frame; and a mesh-type container disposed between the upper header and the lower header, both ends of which are connected to the upper and lower headers, respectively; Including, At least a portion of each of the quorum sensing suppression media is disposed within the mesh container; The water treatment system of claim 1 , wherein each of the quorum sensing suppression media has a particle size larger than the pore size of the mesh container.

7. The separation membrane unit includes a plurality of the membrane filtration devices, The separation membrane unit further includes a reciprocating frame to which a plurality of the membrane filtration devices are individually fastened, The driving unit may implement the reciprocating motion of each membrane filtration device through the reciprocating frame, the reciprocating frame has a bottom surface facing the free roller, The water treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the first rail is attached to the bottom surface of the reciprocating frame.

8. The water treatment system of claim 7 , wherein the first rail is resiliently mounted to the bottom surface of the reciprocating frame, thereby making the distance between the first rail and the reciprocating frame variable.

9. The separation membrane unit further includes a guide frame provided on an upper portion of the tank, the guide frame has an upper surface facing the free roller, The water treatment system of claim 7 , wherein the second rail is attached to the upper surface of the guide frame.

10. The separation membrane unit further includes a pivot member having a central hole, a first end of the pivot member pivotally coupled to the guide frame; the second end of the pivot member is a two-pronged end having first and second fingers; a rotation shaft connected to the rotation axis of the free roller passes through the central hole of the pivot member; The water treatment system of claim 9 , wherein a protrusion provided on the reciprocating frame is disposed in a gap between the first finger and the second finger.

11. The separation membrane unit includes a plurality of the membrane filtration devices, Each of the membrane filtration devices is Skid frame; and a plurality of membrane modules mounted within the skid frame; Including, The skid frame is Support frame; Lower horizontal frame; an upper horizontal frame between the support frame and the lower horizontal frame; and a number of vertical members connecting the support frame, the upper horizontal frame, and the lower horizontal frame; Including, the support frame has a bottom surface facing the free roller, The water treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the first rail is mounted to the bottom surface of the support frame.

12. 12. The water treatment system of claim 11, wherein the first rail is resiliently mounted to the bottom surface of the support frame, thereby allowing a variable distance between the first rail and the support frame.

13. The separation membrane unit further includes a guide frame provided on an upper portion of the tank, the guide frame has an upper surface facing the free roller, The water treatment system of claim 11 , wherein the second rail is mounted to the upper surface of the guide frame.

14. The separation membrane unit further includes a pivot member having a central hole, a first end of the pivot member pivotally coupled to the guide frame; the second end of the pivot member is a bifurcated end having first and second fingers; a rotation shaft connected to the rotation axis of the free roller passes through the central hole of the pivot member; The water treatment system of claim 13 , wherein a protrusion provided on the support frame is disposed in a gap between the first finger and the second finger.

15. The support frames of the plurality of membrane filtration devices are detachably fastened to each other, The water treatment system of claim 11 , wherein each of the membrane filtration devices further includes a lifting hook receiver provided on the support frame.

16. The water treatment system according to claim 1 , wherein the biological treatment unit includes at least one selected from the group consisting of an anoxic tank, an anaerobic tank, and an aerobic tank.

17. the biological treatment unit includes the aerobic tank, 17. The water treatment system of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of each of the quorum sensing suppression media is confined within at least one predetermined space selected from the group consisting of the anoxic tank, the anaerobic tank, and the aerobic tank.