filtration device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a filtration device adapted for continuous vibration and pressure-driven filtration, said filtration device comprising a filter module with at least one tubular semipermeable membrane element, said module further comprising a drain area for permeate, an outlet for permeate, an inlet for feed liquid and an outlet for retentate, said module further comprising one or more flexible volume chambers filled with gas and in intimate contact with but separated from the inner module of the filter module via a flexible wall, said filtration device comprising a vibration motor adapted to provide a vibration motion to the device.

Description

[Technical Field] 【0001】 The present invention relates to a filtration apparatus adapted for continuous vibration and pressure-driven filtration. The filtration apparatus comprises a filter module having at least one tubular membrane element, the tubular membrane element comprising a semipermeable membrane, a feed fluid inlet, a permeate outlet, and a retenate outlet; the module further comprises two or more flexible volume chambers filled with gas and in close contact with the retenate portion of the filter module, but separated by flexible walls; the filtration apparatus comprises a vibration motor adapted to impart substantially linear vibrational motion to the apparatus along the length of the tubular element. Since the gas in the flexible volume chambers can expand and compress, the present invention allows the retenate in the retenate portion of the module to move relative to the membrane as the filter module is vibrated. The inertia of the retenate counteracts the movement of the module, creating cleaning turbulence on the membrane surface by the retenate, thereby keeping the membrane clean and ensuring continuous, fouling-free filtration with minimal energy. 【0002】 The filtration apparatus of the present invention is useful for operations such as fine filtration, microfiltration, and ultrafiltration of liquids using a semipermeable membrane, where the membrane is typically subjected to a tangential flow of the feed fluid. This filtration apparatus is useful in operations where robust, hygienic, and fouling-free continuous filtration is desired, and the filtration apparatus can be configured for filtering a wide range of fluid volumes, such as small volumes of approximately 100 mL, and also for volumes of 100 m 3 It is expandable for filtering larger volumes, such as those mentioned above. [Background technology] 【0003】 International Publication No. 2018145714A1 of a published international patent application discloses a vibrator adapted to the vibration of a filter plate assembly adapted to continuous vibration-driven filtration, the vibrator comprising a vessel housing having a vessel pressure chamber, the filter plate assembly comprising a plurality of filter plates, each having one or more permeate channels and one or more permeate outlets extending perpendicularly to the filter plate assembly through the vessel housing, the filter plate assembly being securely mounted within the vessel pressure chamber, the vibrator comprising at least one retaining fluid inlet adapted to a retaining fluid flow into the vessel housing, and at least one retaining fluid outlet from the vessel housing, the vibrator further comprising a vibrating motor that provides vibration motion to the vessel housing, the vibrator comprising one or more flexible volume chambers filled with gas and adapted to expand and / or compress the volume of flexible volume chambers within the vessel housing such that when the vessel housing is subjected to vibration motion, the retaining fluid in the module moves parallel to the surface of the filter plates. This vibrating device enables filtration of liquids, such as microfiltration or ultrafiltration, with reduced energy consumption. However, the use of filter plates imposes constraints on the resulting downscaling size, process parameters such as temperature, and materials, as well as on the chamber design to ensure the functionality of a flexible volumetric (cushion) chamber. 【0004】 When membranes such as semipermeable membranes are used in a cross-flow configuration, the medium being filtered is pumped across the membrane surface at a speed of 1-5 m / s to prevent solids from accumulating and depositing on the membrane and to keep the boundary layer on the membrane surface as small as possible, thereby keeping the membrane free and functional for a longer period of time during operation. The same effect is achieved by moving the membrane relative to the medium, as is achieved in the present invention. [Overview of the Initiative] 【0005】 The object of the present invention is to provide a filtration device having a simplified modular structure with optimized free-flow filtration capability and capable of maintaining high flux in continuous pressure and vibration-driven filtration processes, while using the same general structural configuration to have a wide range of scaling sizes for filtering not only very small but also large volumes of fluid. 【0006】 This is achieved by a filtration apparatus of the present invention comprising a filter module (2) having a number of tubular membrane elements (16) fixed in a permeate collection chamber (10) at the inlet (3) and outlet (4) ends of the tubular elements, the tubular membrane elements typically having a semipermeable inner surface (11) that allows permeate to pass through the membrane tube to the permeate collection chamber (10), the inside of the tube being in fluid contact with an inlet chamber (5a) for the medium to be filtered at one end and an outlet chamber (5b) for the filtered medium or retaining liquid at the other end, the inlet and outlet chambers being in fluid communication with gas-filled flexible volume chambers (8A, 8B) respectively, the flexible volume chambers having flexible chamber walls (14) that are adapted to expand and / or compress their volumes so as the filter module is subjected to vibrational motion, allowing the feed fluid or retaining liquid in the module to move parallel (back and forth) to the surface of the semipermeable membrane, the movement of the retaining liquid relative to the tube surface being caused by the inertia of the medium and enabled through the flexible volume chambers at both ends of the movement. 【0007】 The present invention relates to a freely movable filtration device (1) comprising a filter module (2) adapted for continuous vibration and pressure-driven filtration of a fluid, wherein the filter module (2) comprises at least two gas-filled flexible volume chambers (8A, 8B) positioned at intervals, such as being located at each end of the module (distally) and proximal to the feed inlet (6) and the retaining fluid outlet (7), respectively, and a permeate collection chamber (10) comprising a permeate outlet (9); and the filter module (2) comprises semipermeable tubular membrane elements (11) sealed at both ends (3, 4) To provide a filtration device (1), the filtration device (1) further comprises means for providing vibration motion, for example, a vibration motor (12) having a receptacle (13) for mounting the filter module (2), the vibration motor (12) being adapted to provide vibration motion to the filter module (2), wherein the tubular membrane element is in fluid contact with flexible volume chambers (8A, 8B) having flexible chamber walls (14) adapted at both ends to expand and / or compress their gas volumes, and therefore, when the filtration module (2) is subjected to vibration motion, the retaining liquid or fluid in the tube to be filtered is allowed to move parallel (back and forth) to the surface of the semipermeable membrane surface (11). 【0008】 This results in a simple structure using a limited number of components, enabling the same structural configuration for a wide range of device sizes, from very small to much larger volume feeds. A significant advantage is that filtration data obtained with small test volumes using the filtration apparatus of the present invention can be easily applied to much larger industrial-type volumes using an upscaled version of the filtration apparatus. 【0009】 Using the apparatus of the present invention, the liquid medium to be filtered is vibrated against the surface of the semipermeable membrane, and the pressure within the modules (5a, 5b) is kept higher than the pressure within the drain region (10), so that the permeate is passed through the drain region and free-flow filtration is obtained. The medium to be filtered can be highly viscous and may contain larger particulate impurities, as long as the medium does not block the free-flow passage through the apparatus. 【0010】 The optimized cleaning function of the membrane surface is achieved by using the vibrating filtration apparatus of the present invention to apply relative movement of the medium to the filter module and thus the membrane surface through which the medium is filtered, and this relative movement is achieved when the filter module is vibrated and there is room for the fluid medium not to move with the tube due to the inertia of the medium by the flexible volume chamber. The vibration can keep the membrane surface free and clean and maintain a high flux through the membrane in a continuous filtration process. The retaining liquid, which is the medium to be filtered, can be concentrated in the apparatus so that a feed flow of the medium is required when the permeate is discharged, or the medium can pass continuously from inlet to outlet in a slow crossflow while being concentrated. 【0011】 In one embodiment, the vibration motion of the filter module is achieved by supplying vibrating air to an air volume cushion, thereby causing the inertia of the medium to move the filter module 2 as if its motion were driven by an external drive device (12), so the air cushion also acts as a vibration motor. If a uniform retaining fluid is desired throughout the module, this can be achieved by circulating a concentrated fluid back from the outlet (7) to the container inlet (6) side while adding an unconcentrated fluid to the circulation, or the fluid can be circulated through a tank while being concentrated as the permeate is discharged from the circulation through the membrane and drain area. 【0012】 In one embodiment, each of the two flexible volume chambers (8A, 8B) is provided with a flexible gasket (14) adapted to isolate the gas volume of the flexible volume chamber (8A, 8B) from the module inlet and outlet chambers (5a, 5b), and the remaining walls (15) of the flexible volume chamber are rigid. Alternative flexible volume chambers can be formed as fully flexible balloon-type cushion chambers, or as tubular cushion chambers isolated from the inlet and outlet regions, such as those shown in Figure 2. 【0013】 In one embodiment, the semipermeable wall is located on the outside of the tubular element, and the outer chamber (5c) further comprises one or more flexible volume chambers (8A, 8B) having a flexible gas-filled body positioned distally within the chamber (5c) of the filter element, further comprising an inlet and outlet for a retaining fluid, the inlet and outlet being located distally, and the inside of the tube is fluidly connected at least one end to a collection chamber (10) for a permeate. 【0014】 In one embodiment, the vibration motor (12) is adapted to provide a vibration motion of a linear nature. This vibration motor may be, for example, electrically powered with a rotating unbalanced weight, or pneumatically powered with a back-and-forth counterweight that produces an active or reactive motion of the filtration module (2) when the module is flexibly supported to allow the motion. 【0015】 In one embodiment, the vibration motor (12) provides vibration to the filter module (2) via an eccentric shaft (19), thereby the filtration module is directly actuated by the drive motor. This design provides a very simple mechanical solution for the device. 【0016】 In one embodiment, the filtration apparatus of the present invention comprises two or more filter modules (2) connected via an eccentric shaft (19) and structurally adapted to balance vibrations and avoid external vibrations. 【0017】 In one embodiment, the filter feed pressure and air cushion pressure of the flexible volumetric chamber are adjusted to be the same to maximize the efficiency of the air cushion. In all designs, care must be taken to avoid feed pressures higher than those permitted by the container design. Additionally, the air cushion needs to be sized or pressure-adjusted to act optimally as an air spring for the liquid moving due to inertia within the module. 【0018】 In one embodiment, the device is cleaned by replacing the feed with rinse water or a cleaning medium and increasing the flow rate on the membrane by circulating the medium from the inlet to the outlet while maintaining a rinsing function by vibration. 【0019】 In one embodiment, the feed is provided by a pressurized tank of air or (inert) gas, and the pressurized gas acts as a feed pump, pushing the feed into the filtration device. This feed system can provide a stable feed at very low cost and using only simple off-the-shelf elements. The pressurized gas can be connected to air cushions 8A and 8B to optimize the function of the gas cushions. In one embodiment, the feed is provided by a tank containing a feed medium in a sterile bag pressurized with air or gas, and the pressurized gas acts as a feed pump, pushing the feed into a filtration device. This feed system can provide a stable, sterile feed at very low cost and using only simple, off-the-shelf elements. 【0020】 In one embodiment, the vibration module is formed of a see-through material or see-through inspection glass, so that the semipermeable membrane, drain area and medium can be visually inspected during the filtration process and washing. 【0021】 The materials used in the filtration device can be selected from thermoplastic plastics or ceramics or metals or combinations of materials that are polymers or copolymers, or any other suitable material that can withstand the medium to be filtered, the applied pressure such as up to about 5 bar or more, the required temperature span such as about 5 °C to about 130 °C, and the medium used for cleaning the filter module. All parts of the device can be manufactured as one or more parts by 3D printing. 【0022】 The material selection should anticipate the thermal expansion and rigidity of the module and must be sustainable against pressure and vibration. Preferred implementations are containers of stainless steel, polycarbonate or polypropylene, and the filtration tubular membrane is preferably a semipermeable membrane ceramic, metal or polymer membrane rod with channel openings typically 2 - 25 mm. All materials are commercially available in food grade and are easily accessible. 【0023】 Definitions The term "permeate" is used for the medium that has passed through the filter. 【0024】 The terms "retentate" or "feed" or "media" or "medium" are used interchangeably herein for the media stream to be filtered, which is typically a liquid but may also be in the form of a gas having an amount sufficient to have inertial resistance oscillatory motion. 【0025】 As used herein, the terms "concentrate" and "retentate" shall be used interchangeably to mean the feed concentrated through the filtration process. 【0026】 The terms "filter", "membrane" and "semipermeable membrane" are used interchangeably. 【0027】 The terms "flexible volume chamber", "air cushion" and "gas cushion" are all used interchangeably. 【0028】 The term "flexible gasket film" implies impermeability. 【0029】 The term "tubular membrane element" refers to a longer, more rigid, tubular or rod-shaped element having one or more internal channels, wherein the channels typically have a length of 10 to 1000 times their cross-sectional dimension or diameter, and the element is typically made of a semipermeable material such as sintered ceramic, metal, or plastic, and the inner surface of the channels or the outer surface of the tube typically has a defined membrane pore size that allows water or thinner media containing smaller molecules to pass through while retaining molecules, cells, or solids. In the present invention, the tubular membrane element must be made of a rigid material that can withstand vibration. 【0030】 The term "microfiltration" applies to filtration through slits or holes in filter plates ranging from 5 to 50 microns, while the term "precision filtration" typically applies to particle sizes ranging from a few hundredths of a micrometer to tens of micrometers and is performed at low differential pressures from slightly above zero bar to a few bar. Precision filtration is used, for example, for the aseptic filtration of milk. The term "ultrafiltration" is used, for example, to separate large organic molecules from mineral molecules or small organic molecules, and the ultrafiltration process may require higher differential pressures of 1 to 15 bar. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0031】 One embodiment of the present invention relates to a vibrator (1) in which a filter module (2) includes two or more flexible gaskets (14), the flexible gaskets being adapted to separate the volume of a container pressure chamber (5a, 5b) from the volume of a flexible volume chamber (8A, 8B). The advantage of using flexible gaskets is that a cushioning effect can be achieved in a hygienic design. 【0032】 One embodiment of the present invention relates to a vibrator (1) in which one or more flexible volumetric chambers (8A, 8B) are formed as gas-filled balloons positioned within a module or cavity, for example, in the region indicated by (8A, 8B). The advantage of using gas-filled balloons is that they can be easily sealed to form a gas cushion and that pressure can be applied to the cushion from all sides. 【0033】 One embodiment of the present invention relates to the above-described vibrator (1), wherein module (2) comprises one or more connections adapted to control the pressure within flexible volume chambers (8A, 8B) to balance with the retaining liquid or medium to be filtered in the container. An advantage is that, when the volume of the flexible volume chamber is large, the spring effect of the cushion increases, allowing the medium to move easily relative to the planar membrane. 【0034】 A further embodiment of the present invention relates to the vibration device (1) described above, which comprises two or more filter modules (2), the two or more filter modules (2) being connected and structurally adapted to balance vibrations and avoid external vibrations. 【0035】 Further embodiments of the present invention relate to the vibrating device (1) described above, wherein the filter module (2) comprises backmix connectors (such as (6) and (7)), the backmix connectors are adapted to allow homogenization of the retaining liquid to be filtered via circulation through one or more backmix connectors for moving it from one region (5b, 5c) of the module to another region (5a, 5c) of the module. 【0036】 A further embodiment of the present invention relates to the vibration device (1) described above, the vibration device (1) comprising at least one flexible support, the device (1) being supported by the at least one flexible support, enabling vibration motion of the device (1), the at least one flexible suspension being able to guide the vibration motion. The advantage of the flexible suspension is that vibration can be performed without external reaction and vibration of the support base. 【0037】 Further embodiments of the present invention relate to the vibration device (1) described above, wherein the vibration motor (12) is adapted to provide linear vibration motion, enabling a simple vibration drive motor for simple suspension and / or motion. 【0038】 Further embodiments of the present invention relate to the vibrating device (1) described above, wherein flexible volume chambers (8A, 8B) within a filter module (2) are connected to a gas-pressurized feed tank adapted to the medium to be filtered or the retaining fluid, the gas pressure pushing the feed into the module inlet chamber (5a), and the gas pressure equalizing the retaining fluid pressure within the flexible volume chambers (8A, 8B) and the module (5). The advantage of this embodiment is that it provides a simple means of equalizing the gas pressure in the flexible volume chambers with the fluid pressure in the module. In one embodiment, the filter module (2) includes an actuation means (12) for mechanically acting a tubular membrane element along a path along the length of the filter membrane element (11). The flexible volume chambers can be formed as individual balloons within the retaining fluid chambers (5a, 5b), but for improved hygiene and as shown in Figure 1, the gas-filled flexible volume chambers (8A, 8B) are formed in certain embodiments as a sealed portion of the module, with a flexible gasket (14) separating the cushion gas volume (8A, 8B) from the retaining fluid volume. The cushion chambers are optimally positioned at both opposite ends of the semipermeable membrane surface region (11) and in the direction of motion when the module is vibrated, allowing for optimal movement of the retaining fluid relative to the surface of the membrane tube within the filter module. 【0039】 In one embodiment, the filter module assembly (2) comprises a plurality of tubular filter membranes (11), the tubular channels being formed as circular or square or any other shape having an effective membrane surface. 【0040】 A filter device, such as the one shown in Figure 1, comprises multiple tubular membrane elements. The filter module (2) is vibrated by a vibration motor in the same direction as the tube, typically with an amplitude of 2 to 25 mm at a frequency between 5 and 50 Hz. The module includes two or more air cushions formed as flexible volume chambers or balloons positioned at each end in the direction of vibration and at each end of the filter tube assembly. As the filter module is moved by the vibration motor (12), the air cushions are compressed or expanded to allow relative movement of the retaining fluid, thereby allowing the medium to be filtered to move relative to the filter surface, and a portion of the retaining fluid to enter and exit the membrane channels and move back and forth within the membrane channels. 【0041】 Vibration motors are typically motor-driven eccentric weights or eccentric piston connections or pneumatic pistons, but other means are also available. Considering that the permeate flows indefinitely from the permeate outlet, the internal pressure corresponds to the permeate membrane pressure. Therefore, the device should be robustly designed to maintain vibration and the required internal pressure. 【0042】 The device is typically mounted on or suspended from springs or elastic mounts that allow for oscillating motion. The module design is typically tailored to tightly enclose the tubular filter membrane assembly so as not to increase dead volume within the container. 【0043】 The vibrating filter device (1) can be used for vibrating dead-end filtration operation, in which case the medium is concentrated in the module (5) and discharged at the end of the operation or intermittently. 【0044】 The vibration filter device (1) can be used for continuous or intermittent vibration-driven filtration operations in which one phase of the medium is concentrated within the module (5) and the flux in the filter area is not stabilized by the vibration action. 【0045】 The vibration filter device (1) can be used to continuously separate gas or liquid entering the device from the inlet (6), and the liquid has a high solid content (e.g., up to 1% wt, e.g., up to 5% wt, e.g., up to 10% wt, e.g., up to 15% wt, e.g., up to 20% wt, e.g., up to 25% wt, e.g., up to 30 wt%, e.g., up to 40 wt%, e.g., up to 50 wt%), or has a high viscosity (e.g., up to 10 cP or less, e.g., up to 50 cP, e.g., up to 100 cP, e.g., up to 500 cP, e.g., up to 1000 cP, e.g., up to 2000 cP, e.g., up to 5000 cP, e.g., up to 10000 cP, e.g., more than 10000 cP), or has high hygienic requirements (e.g., up to 10 1 cfu / mL cell count, e.g., up to 10 2 cfu / mL cell count, e.g., up to 10 3 cfu / mL cell count, e.g., up to 10 4 cfu / mL cell count, e.g., up to 10 5 cfu / mL cell count, e.g., up to 10 6 cfu / mL cell count, e.g., up to 10 7 cfu / mL cell count, e.g., up to 10 8 cfu / mL cell count, e.g., 10 8 cfu / mL or more cell count), or for concentrating or separating polypeptides, enzymes, proteins, yeasts, or cells, etc. in the liquid and / or their combinations in the permeate liquid phase exiting the device through the outlet (9) and the retained liquid phase exiting the device through the outlet (7). 【Brief Description of the Drawings】 【0046】 Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a filtration device having one filter module with a number of tubular filter elements. In the illustrated embodiment, the medium or permeate inlet (6) and permeate outlet connection (7), as well as the gas cushion chambers (8A) and (8B), are located at either end of a long, typical circular module (2). A tubular membrane element (16) is positioned within the permeate recovery chamber (10), and both ends of the tubular element are fixed within seal and fixing potting (3, 4) that seal the permeate drain area from the inlet and outlet chambers (5a, 5b). The cushion chambers (8A, 8B) are isolated from the retaining fluid chambers (5a, 5b) by a highly flexible gasket membrane (14) that is sealed in the edge direction. The membrane surface (11) is formed on the inner wall of the tubular filter element (16). The filter module is connected to a drive motor (12) via a connection (13) and suspended by a suitable spring, allowing the device to vibrate back and forth or up and down. The connecting hoses or tubes (6, 7, and 9) for the medium, permeate, and retaining fluid must be highly flexible to allow for vibrational motion of the apparatus. 【0047】 Figure 1 further shows a cross-section of the filter module, where seven tubular filter elements (16) can be seen inside the permeate collection chamber (10). 【0048】 Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a filtration device having a single filter module with a number of tubular filter elements. 【0049】 In the shown embodiment, the medium or retaining fluid inlet (6) and retaining fluid outlet connection (7), as well as the gas cushion chambers (8A) and (8B), are located at either end of a long circular module (2). A tubular membrane element (16) is positioned within the retaining fluid channel (5c), and both ends of the tubular element are fixed within seal and fixing potting (3, 4) that seal the permeate drain area (10) from the retaining fluid channel (5c). Flexible cushions (8A, 8B) are isolated from the retaining fluid channel (c) by a highly flexible, airtight balloon-type membrane (14). A semipermeable membrane surface (11) is formed on the outer wall of the tubular filter element (16). The filter module is connected to a drive motor (12) via a connection (13) and, when suspended by appropriate springs, the device can vibrate back and forth or up and down. The connections for the medium, permeate, and retaining fluid must be highly flexible to allow the vibration motion of the device. 【0050】 Figure 2 further shows a cross-section of the filter module, where the tubular filter element (16) can be seen within the retaining liquid channel (5c). 【0051】 Figure 3 shows one embodiment of a vibratory filtration device (1) having a filter module (2) connected to a vibratory drive motor (12) having an eccentric shaft (19) via a respectable (13) and a piston arm. 【0052】 Figure 4 shows one embodiment of a vibratory filtration device (1) having two filter modules (2) connected via a receptacle (13) and a piston arm to a vibratory drive motor (12) having an eccentric shaft (19). Since the two filter modules move in opposite directions, external vibrations can be eliminated. 【0053】 Figure 5 shows one embodiment of a vibratory filtration device (1) having one filter module (2) connected to a feed tank, where feed is pumped from the feed tank (by gas pumped into the feed tank), and the pressurized gas pushes the feed into the module retaining fluid region (5a) via the feed or retaining fluid inlet (6). The same gas pumping the feed is connected to cushion chambers (8A, 8B), so that the pressure is the same in the retaining fluid region and in the cushion chambers, allowing for improved movement of the retaining fluid relative to the chambers during the vibratory motion of the filter module (2) as the air cushions (8A, 8B) are compressed or expanded. 【0054】 In embodiments not shown, the feed is pumped into the apparatus by a suitable feed pump, and the gas in the flexible volume chambers (8A, 8B) can be regulated by other means. In embodiments not shown, a feed mixing pump is connected to the retaining fluid outlet (7) and the feed or retaining fluid back mix inlet connection (6), and this mixing pump can be used in operation to homogenize the retaining fluid or to ensure mixing during cleaning of the apparatus. 【0055】 It goes without saying that different modifications can be made to the examples described without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 【0056】 The presented design enables the manufacture of very small filter units for continuous filtration with virtually no dead volume, a feature required in pharmaceutical development. However, it should be noted that the overall design offers the potential for upscaling, with a single compact filtration unit having several square meters of filtration area. 【0057】 All components can be made from food- and pharmaceutical-grade materials with traceable origins, making the filtration unit suitable for human food consumables and the like. The materials used can be plastics that can be remelted and reused, or burned as clean fossil fuels. The semipermeable membrane elements can be ceramic, metal, plastic, etc., and are typically sintered materials with or without surface treatment. The unit components can be manufactured by 3D printing, sintering, or other means. 【0058】 Example of operation A new 350cm² polypropylene tubular membrane with a thickness of 0.2 microns 2 The filter assembly was attached to the filter module, and the filter module was attached to the vibration drive unit. The vibration unit was checked for leaks with 1 bar of water. 【0059】 The unit was washed with a 1.25% Divos 120 Cl solution at pH 11 for 30 minutes at 50°C using a 0.5 bar pressure and a 15 Hz vibrating motor, with the holding liquid outlet partially open. The unit was drained and thoroughly rinsed with water. The unit was drained again, and the entire volume was filtered using water as the medium at 0.1 bar pressure and a 15 Hz vibrating motor, with the holding liquid outlet closed. After 10 minutes, the average flux of 420 LMH over 5 minutes was measured. 【0060】 The unit was drained, and total volume filtration was performed using orange juice as the medium, with a vibration motor at 0.5 bar and 15 Hz, with the holding liquid outlet closed. The time was recorded each time 50 ml of permeate was generated, and the average flux between measurement points was calculated. The results are shown in Table 1. [Table 1] 【0061】 The unit was drained, and the media was washed with water by continuous filtration for 15 minutes using a 0.5 bar, 15 Hz vibrating motor with the holding fluid outlet partially open. 【0062】 The unit was washed with a caustic alkaline solution at 50°C and pH 11 for 30 minutes, using a pressure of 0.5 bar and a 15 Hz vibrating motor, with the holding fluid outlet partially open. The unit was drained and thoroughly rinsed with water. 【0063】 The unit was drained, and the entire volume was filtered using water as the fluid medium with a 0.1 bar, 15 Hz vibrating motor, with the retaining fluid outlet closed. After 10 minutes, an average flux of 410 LMH per minute was measured. 【0064】 The unit was drained, and the entire volume was filtered using orange juice as a fluid at 0.5 bar, with the vibration motor stopped and the holding fluid outlet closed. The time was recorded each time 50 ml of permeate was generated, and the average flux between measurement points was calculated. The results are shown in Table 2. [Table 2] 【0065】 The unit was drained and then cleaned for 15 minutes using a 0.5 bar, 15 Hz vibrating motor with the retaining fluid outlet partially open, using water as the fluid medium. 【0066】 The unit was washed with a caustic alkaline solution at 50°C and pH 11 for 30 minutes using a 0.5 bar pressure and a 15 Hz vibrating motor, with the holding fluid outlet partially open. The unit was drained and thoroughly rinsed with water. 【0067】 The unit was drained, and after 10 minutes, an average water flow flux of 380 LMH per minute was measured. 【0068】 Conclusion: A 15Hz vibration resulted in faster orange juice filtration, and the unit performed comparably to a larger unit using the same membrane.

Claims

[Claim 1] A filtration device (1) adapted for filtering a medium, wherein the filtration device (1) comprises a filter module (2), and the filter module (2) comprises one or more tubular membrane elements (16), wherein each filter module (2) comprises two or more gas-filled flexible volume chambers (8A, 8B) positioned at each end of the filter module (2), at least one inlet (6) for the medium to be filtered, and at least one outlet (7) for a retaining liquid, the inlet and the outlet A filtration device (1) characterized in that the opening is positioned at the end of the filter module (2), the tubular membrane element (16) comprises at least one semipermeable membrane (11) forming a path between the inlet and outlet and a semipermeable wall separating the retaining liquid from the drain region (10), the drain region (10) comprises a permeate outlet (9), the tubular membrane element (16) is circular, square or any other shape, and the semipermeable membrane (11) is formed inside or outside the tubular membrane element (16). [Claim 2] The filtration device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the filtration device (1) is further adapted for pressure and vibration-driven filtration of a medium, the inlet (6) and the outlet (7) are further positioned proximal to the flexible volume chambers (8A, 8B), the filtration device (1) further comprises a vibration motor (12) having a receptacle (13) for mounting the filter module (2), the vibration motor (12) is adapted to provide vibration motion to the filter module (2), and further comprises the flexible volume chambers (8A, 8B) having at least one flexible chamber wall (14) adapted to contact the retaining liquid flow and to expand and / or compress their volumes, thereby enabling the retaining liquid to be filtered in the filter module (2) to move parallel back and forth relative to the surface of the semipermeable membrane (11) when the filtration device (1) is subjected to vibration motion. [Claim 3] The filtration device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the filtration device (1) is further adapted for continuous pressure and vibration-driven filtration of a medium, the filter module (2) further comprises a retaining liquid channel (5c), and the flexible volume chambers (8A, 8B) are positioned distally to each end of the retaining liquid channel (5c). [Claim 4] Each of the flexible volume chambers (8A, 8B) is provided with a flexible gasket (14) adapted to separate the gas volume of the flexible volume chambers (8A, 8B) from the filter module (2), and the remaining walls (15) of the flexible volume chambers (8A, 8B) are rigid, the filtration apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3. [Claim 5] The filtration apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the semipermeable membrane (11) is formed inside one or more tubular cavities in the tubular membrane element (16). [Claim 6] The filtration apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of the flexible volume chambers (8A, 8B) can be connected to a gas pressure source for increasing or decreasing the volume of the flexible volume chambers (8A, 8B). [Claim 7] The filtration apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the flexible volume chambers (8A, 8B) include flexible gas housings positioned at both ends or proximal to both ends of the filter module (2). [Claim 8] The filtration apparatus (1) according to claim 2, wherein the vibration motor (12) is adapted to provide a vibration motion of linear nature. [Claim 9] The filtration apparatus (1) according to claim 2, wherein the vibration motor (12) provides vibration motion to the filter module (2) via an eccentric shaft (19) or provides vibration motion by any other means. [Claim 10] The filtration device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the filtration device (1) comprises two or more filter modules (2), and the two or more filter modules (2) are connected to one or more vibration motors. [Claim 11] The filtration device (1) is used to filter a medium, as described in any one of claims 1 to 10.

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