Concentration unit

Abstract

This concentration device is provided with a membrane module having a first flow path and a second flow path that are separated by a semipermeable membrane. The membrane module comprises a U-shaped tube inside of which the semipermeable membrane is disposed, a first flow path inlet connection part and first flow path outlet connection part, and a second flow path inlet connection part and second flow path outlet connection part. The concentration device comprises an introducing means for introducing a subject solution at a prescribed pressure to the first flow path from the first flow path inlet connection part, using the semipermeable membrane to separate the subject solution into a concentrate and a permeate, causing the permeate to permeate through the second flow path and causing the concentrate to flow out from the first flow path outlet connection part, introducing the subject solution at a lower pressure than the prescribed pressure to the second flow path from the second flow path inlet connection part, and causing a diluted solution, which is obtained by dilution with confluence with the permeate, to flow out from the second flow path outlet connection part.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a concentration device for concentrating a target liquid to be processed.

Background Art

[0002] There is a technique for concentrating a target liquid by allowing a permeate (mainly water) to permeate from the target liquid through a semipermeable membrane (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In recent years, there has been a demand for a device that can be installed in a narrow space and efficiently concentrates a target liquid.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] As a result of intensive research to solve the above problems, the inventors of the present invention have finally completed the present invention. The present invention has the following configuration. [1] A concentration apparatus comprising a membrane module having a first channel and a second channel separated by a semipermeable membrane, wherein the membrane module comprises a U-shaped tube in which the semipermeable membrane is disposed inside, a first channel inlet connection and a first channel outlet connection which are the inlet and outlet of the first channel, and a second channel inlet connection and a second channel outlet connection which are the inlet and outlet of the second channel, and the concentration apparatus comprising a liquid introduction means which introduces a target liquid into the first channel from the first channel inlet connection at a predetermined pressure, separates the target liquid into a concentrated liquid and a permeate by the semipermeable membrane, allows the permeate to permeate into the second channel and discharges the concentrated liquid from the first channel outlet connection, and introduces the target liquid into the second channel from the second channel inlet connection at a pressure lower than the predetermined pressure, dilutes the liquid by combining it with the permeate, and discharges the diluted liquid from the second channel outlet connection. [2] The concentration apparatus according to [1], characterized in that the semipermeable membrane is a hollow fiber membrane, the hollow fiber membrane is filled in a U-shape inside the U-tube, the U-tube is provided with hollow fiber membrane support parts at both ends, the hollow fiber membrane is fixed to the U-tube in a liquid-tight manner by the hollow fiber membrane support parts with the hollow fiber ends open, the first channel inlet connection part and the first channel outlet connection part communicate with the extra-membrane path of the hollow fiber membrane which is the first channel, and the second channel inlet connection part and the second channel outlet connection part communicate with the in-membrane path of the hollow fiber membrane which is the second channel. [3] The concentration apparatus according to [2], characterized in that the contact surface between the U-shaped tube and the hollow fiber membrane support is roughened. [4] A concentration apparatus according to any one of [1] to [3], characterized in that it comprises a plurality of membrane modules, the first channel outlet connection of the nth membrane module is connected to the first channel inlet connection of the (n+1)th membrane module, and the second channel outlet connection of the (n+1)th membrane module is connected to the second channel inlet connection of the nth membrane module. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] Because the concentration apparatus of the present invention has the above configuration and is equipped with a membrane module having a U-shaped tube, it can be installed in narrow spaces and can efficiently concentrate the target liquid. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the appearance of a membrane module according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a cross-section of a membrane module according to the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows another example of a membrane module according to the present invention. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged view of an example of a hollow fiber membrane support within a membrane module according to the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a concentration apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows another example of a concentration apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a concentration device in which multiple membrane modules according to the present invention are connected. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the figures. In the embodiments described below, the same or common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the figures, and their descriptions will not be repeated. Furthermore, if there are multiple embodiments described below, unless otherwise specified, it is intended from the outset that the characteristic parts of each embodiment will be appropriately combined.

[0009] Figure 1 shows an example of the external appearance of the hollow fiber membrane module 100, which is a membrane module of this embodiment. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the interior of the hollow fiber membrane module 100. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the hollow fiber membrane module 100 has a U-shaped tube 110 and a hollow fiber membrane 120 which is a semipermeable membrane.

[0010] The U-shaped tube 110 is a tube with a U-shaped structure, and a hollow fiber membrane 120 is arranged inside it. The U-shaped tube 110 has a structure in which the tube is curved in a U shape, and the bending radius, tube diameter, length, material, etc. can be appropriately designed according to the installation space, durability, and the components and processing volume of the target liquid. The hollow fiber membrane 120 can be a semipermeable membrane such as a reverse osmosis membrane, a forward osmosis membrane, or a nanofiltration membrane, which has a hollow fiber shape. The pressure resistance, membrane pore diameter, film thickness, and membrane material of the hollow fiber membrane 120 should be appropriately selected according to the target liquid. The hollow fiber membrane module 100 is separated by the hollow fiber membrane 120 into an extra-membrane path (first channel) and an inner-membrane path (second channel).

[0011] Furthermore, the hollow fiber membrane module 100 has hollow fiber membrane support parts 130. The hollow fiber membrane support parts 130 are positioned at both ends of the U-shaped tube 110. The hollow fiber membrane support parts 130 fix both ends of the hollow fiber membrane 120 to the inside of the U-shaped tube 110 in a liquid-tight manner with the ends of the hollow fibers open. support Department 130 The material is not limited to resin, but it can be formed from any material, and the material can be selected according to the target liquid and pressure resistance.

[0012] The circumferential connection portion (first channel inlet connection portion and first channel outlet connection portion) 111 is a component installed on the U-shaped tube 110 and is an open port for introducing the target liquid from outside the hollow fiber membrane module 100, bringing it into contact with the extra-membrane path of the hollow fiber membrane 120, and allowing it to flow out to the outside of the hollow fiber membrane module 100. The hollow fiber membrane module 100 has at least two circumferential connection portions 111, corresponding to the inlet and outlet of the target liquid, and is configured to communicate with the extra-membrane path of the hollow fiber membrane 120. The end connection portion (second channel inlet connection portion and second channel outlet connection portion) 112 is a component installed on the U-shaped tube 110 and is an open port for introducing the target liquid from outside the hollow fiber membrane module 100, bringing it into contact with the in-membrane path (second channel) of the hollow fiber membrane 120, and allowing it to flow out to the outside of the hollow fiber membrane module 100. The hollow fiber membrane module 100 has at least two end connection parts 112, which correspond to the inlet and outlet of the target liquid. doFurthermore, it is configured to communicate with the internal pathway of the hollow fiber membrane 120. The connection types for the circumferential connection part 111 and the end connection part 112 can be tube joint type, screw-in type, etc., and should be selected as appropriate. The materials for the circumferential connection part 111 and the end connection part 112 should also be selected as appropriate.

[0013] Figure 3 shows three variations of the hollow fiber membrane module 100 according to this embodiment. Each variation differs from the structure in Figure 1 in that the opening direction of the circumferential connection portion 111 is different. Note that Figure 3 is an example of variations in the structure of the hollow fiber membrane module 100, and other structures are also possible, allowing for the selection of an appropriate opening direction for the circumferential connection portion 111 depending on the installation space. Furthermore, while the hollow fiber membrane modules shown in Figures 1 to 3 have one inlet and one outlet for the circumferential connection portion 111, they may have multiple outlets.

[0014] Figure 4 shows the hollow fiber membrane module of this embodiment. 100 This is an example of the interior, a magnified view of the hollow fiber membrane support portion 130. Preferably, the inside of the U-shaped tube 110 has a roughened portion 113 on which the contact surface with the hollow fiber membrane support portion 130 is roughened. This is because the roughening process allows the hollow fiber membrane support portion 130 to catch on the U-shaped tube 110, further increasing the adhesion between the two, improving liquid tightness, and suppressing the detachment of the hollow fiber membrane support portion 130 during high-pressure operation. The roughening process can be performed using methods such as filing or screwing, by increasing the contact area or creating grooves.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the concentration device 200 of the present embodiment including the hollow fiber membrane module 100. The concentration device 200 includes pumps 210 and 220. The concentration device 200 uses the pump 210 to allow the target liquid to flow into the extracapillary path in the hollow fiber membrane module 100 from the inlet side (in FIG. 5, the lower circumferential side connection portion 111), which is one of the circumferential side connection portions 111, at a predetermined pressure, and to flow out from the outlet side (in FIG. 5, the upper circumferential side connection portion 111), which is the other of the circumferential side connection portions 111. Also, using the pump 220, the target liquid is caused to flow into the intracapillary path in the hollow fiber membrane module 100 from the inlet side (in FIG. 5, the upper end connection portion 112), which is one of the end connection portions 112, at a pressure lower than the predetermined pressure, and to flow out from the outlet side (in FIG. 5, the lower end connection portion 112), which is the other of the end connection portions 112. Further, the concentration device 200 may include valves 230 and 240. The concentration device 200 adjusts the respective pressures for introducing the target liquid into the extracapillary path and the intracapillary path by controlling the driving of the pumps 210 and 220 and the opening degrees of the valves 230 and 240. That is, in the concentration device 200, the pumps 210 and 220 and / or the valves 230 and 240 act as liquid introduction means for introducing the target liquid into the hollow fiber membrane module 100. The predetermined pressure can be set as appropriate.

[0016] As described above, by introducing the target liquid into the extracapillary path from the circumferential side connection part 111 on the inlet side at a predetermined pressure and introducing the target liquid into the intracapillary path from the end connection part 112 on the inlet side at a pressure lower than the predetermined pressure, the introduced liquid becomes as follows. The target liquid introduced into the extracapillary path is separated by the hollow fiber membrane 120 into a permeate that permeates through the membrane and a concentrate that does not permeate, and this concentrate flows out from the circumferential side connection part 111 on the outlet side. On the other hand, the separated permeate merges with the target liquid introduced into the intracapillary path in the hollow fiber membrane module 100 from the end connection part 112 on the inlet side and flows out as a diluted liquid from the end connection part 112 on the outlet side. Therefore, the concentrate flowing out from the circumferential side connection part 111 on the outlet side is more concentrated than the target liquid introduced from the circumferential side connection part 111 on the inlet side, and the diluted liquid flowing out from the end connection part 112 on the outlet side is more diluted than the target liquid introduced from the end connection part 112 on the inlet side. The concentrations of the target liquid introduced from the circumferential side connection part 111 on the inlet side and the target liquid introduced from the end connection part 112 on the inlet side may be different.

[0017] Furthermore, a priming water pot 250 may be attached to the suction side of the pump 210 in the concentrator 200. The priming water pot 250 is a device that removes air inside the pump 210 and suppresses a decrease in the discharge amount due to air biting. As shown in FIG. 5, the priming water pot 250 is arranged at a position higher than the pump 210, and by sucking the liquid from the priming water pot 250 into the pump 210 before introducing the target liquid into the hollow fiber membrane module 100, the air inside the pump 210 can be removed. The flow path between the priming water pot 250 and the target liquid is switched by a valve 260. Also, an accumulator 270 may be installed on the discharge side of the pump 210. The accumulator 270 is a device that suppresses the pulsation of the pump 210 and supplies and assists the target liquid to the hollow fiber membrane module 100 while suppressing fluctuations in flow rate and pressure. Although not shown, the priming water pot 250 and / or the accumulator 270 can also be attached to the pump 220 as needed.

[0018] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, a pressure regulator 280 may be attached to the valve 230. The pressure regulator 280 is a piping device that adjusts to a constant pressure, and by adding it, it becomes easier to adjust to a predetermined pressure than by adjusting only the opening of the valve 230, and has the advantage of suppressing pressure fluctuations and stabilizing the pressure. As the pressure regulator 280, a pressure relief valve (back pressure valve) that adjusts the pressure by adjusting the strength of the spring contained inside or the spring compression, or an orifice that applies back pressure according to a predetermined opening diameter can be used. Although not shown, the pressure regulator 280 may be attached before the valve 240. Also, although not shown, the concentrated liquid discharged from the circumferential connection part 111 on the outlet side may be introduced into the pump 210, and the diluted liquid discharged from the end connection part 112 on the outlet side may be introduced into the pump 220, and the target liquid may be circulated.

[0019] Figure 6 shows an example of another concentration device 300 using a hollow fiber membrane module 100. The concentration device 300 is equipped with a pump 310, valves 320 and 330. The concentration device 300 uses the pump 310 to cause the target liquid to flow into the extramembrane path inside the hollow fiber membrane module 100 from the inlet side (the lower circumferential connection 111 in Figure 6), which is one of the circumferential connection parts 111, at a predetermined pressure, and to flow out from the outlet side (the upper circumferential connection part 111 in Figure 6), which is the other of the circumferential connection part 111. In addition, using the valves 320 and 330, a portion of the concentrated liquid that has flowed out from the outlet side circumferential connection part 111 is discharged at a pressure lower than the predetermined pressure from the inlet side (one of the end connection parts 112). Figure 6 Then, the fluid is allowed to flow into the membrane pathway within the hollow fiber membrane module 100 from the upper end connection part 112, and to flow out from the other end connection part 112, which is the outlet side (the lower end connection part 112 in Figure 6). In the concentration device 300, a pump 310 and a valve 320 and 330 This acts as a liquid introduction means for introducing the target liquid into the hollow fiber membrane module 100. The predetermined pressure can be set as appropriate.

[0020] The concentration device 300 discharges concentrated liquid from the circumferential connection part 111 on the outlet side, and diluted liquid from the end connection part 112 on the outlet side. The ratio of the amount of concentrated liquid recovered to the amount of concentrated liquid introduced into the end connection part 112 on the inlet side is adjusted by valves 320 and 330.

[0021] The concentration device 300 may also be equipped with a priming pot 340, an accumulator 360, and a pressure regulator 370 as needed. Alternatively, the concentrated liquid discharged from the circumferential connection part 111 on the outlet side may be introduced into the pump 310 to circulate the target liquid.

[0022] Figure 7 shows an example of a concentration device 400 in which five hollow fiber membrane modules 100 (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e) of this embodiment are connected, and only the connected hollow fiber membrane module portions are shown. The circumferential connection portion 111a on the outlet side of the first hollow fiber membrane module 100a is connected to the circumferential connection portion 111b on the inlet side of the second hollow fiber membrane module 100b. In addition, the end connection portion 112b on the outlet side of the second hollow fiber membrane module 100b is connected to the end connection portion 112a on the inlet side of the first hollow fiber membrane module 100a.

[0023] In the concentration device 400 shown in Figure 7, five hollow fiber membrane modules 100 are shown connected together as an example, but the number of hollow fiber membrane modules 100 that can be connected is not limited. Also, in Figure 7, the hollow fiber membrane modules 100 are connected and arranged vertically, but they can also be connected and arranged horizontally, or a combination of these. Furthermore, hollow fiber membrane modules with different orientations of the openings of the circumferential connection parts 111 can be used in combination. In this way, the number of connected hollow fiber membrane modules 100, their arrangement, and the orientation of the openings of the circumferential connection parts 111 of the hollow fiber membrane modules used can be freely combined. Therefore, it can be adapted to the space in which the concentration device 400 is installed. In addition, in Figure 7, the pump, valves, and other components of the concentration device 400 are arranged according to the configuration of the concentration device 200, but the configuration of the concentration device 300 may also be applied.

[0024] Furthermore, in the concentration devices 200, 300, and 400, piping equipment such as switching valves and fittings, and instruments such as flow meters, pressure gauges, and thermometers may be installed as appropriate. In addition, the operating conditions such as pressure, flow rate, and temperature should be set according to the degree of concentration and processing volume of the target liquid.

[0025] By employing the hollow fiber membrane module and concentration device according to the present invention described above, the concentration of the target liquid can be performed more efficiently than by the reverse osmosis (RO) method. Furthermore, due to the shape of the U-shaped tube 110, the longitudinal dimension of the module is about half that of a straight tube, which has the advantage of saving space as a concentration device. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the circumferential connection part 111 and the end connection part 112 are open, making maintenance such as removal of the connecting pipes of the circumferential connection part 111 and the end connection part 112 easier in a concentration device in which hollow fiber membrane modules 100 are connected as shown in Figure 7.

[0026] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended. [Explanation of symbols]

[0027] 100 ,100a,100b,100c,100d,100e : Hollow fiber membrane module 110, 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d ,110e :U-shaped tube 111 ,111a,111b,111c,111d,111e : Peripheral side connection section (first channel inlet connection section, first channel outlet connection section) 112 ,112a,112b,112c,112d,112e : End connection section (second channel inlet connection section, second channel outlet connection section) 113: Roughening section 120: Hollow fiber membrane 130:Hollow fiber membrane support part 200,300,400: Concentrator 210, 220, 310: Pump (means of introduction) 230, 240, 320, 330: Valves (introduction methods) 250,340: Priming pot 260,350: Valve 270,360: Accumulator 280,370: Pressure regulator

Claims

1. A concentration apparatus comprising a plurality of membrane modules having a first channel and a second channel separated by a semipermeable membrane, The membrane module comprises a U-shaped tube in which the semipermeable membrane is disposed inside, a first channel inlet connection and a first channel outlet connection which are the inlet and outlet of the first channel, and a second channel inlet connection and a second channel outlet connection which are the inlet and outlet of the second channel, The concentration apparatus includes a liquid introduction means that introduces a first target liquid into the first channel from the first channel inlet connection at a predetermined pressure, separates the first target liquid into a concentrated liquid and a permeate by the semipermeable membrane, allows the permeate to permeate into the second channel, and discharges the concentrated liquid from the first channel outlet connection, and also introduces a second target liquid or a portion of the concentrated liquid into the second channel from the second channel inlet connection at a pressure lower than the predetermined pressure, combines it with the permeate to dilute it, and discharges the diluted liquid, which is then discharged from the second channel outlet connection. The membrane module has an opening direction where the first channel inlet connection and the first channel outlet connection are perpendicular to the opening direction where the second channel inlet connection and the second channel outlet connection are perpendicular. Multiple of the aforementioned film modules are arranged in the thickness direction of the film modules, A concentration apparatus characterized in that the first channel outlet connection of the nth membrane module is connected to the first channel inlet connection of the (n+1)th membrane module, and the second channel outlet connection of the (n+1)th membrane module is connected to the second channel inlet connection of the nth membrane module.

2. The semipermeable membrane is a hollow fiber membrane, and the hollow fiber membrane is filled in a U-shape inside the U-shaped tube. The U-shaped tube is provided with hollow fiber membrane support parts at both ends, and the hollow fiber membrane is fixed to the U-shaped tube in a liquid-tight manner with the hollow fiber ends open by the hollow fiber membrane support parts. The concentration apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first channel inlet connection and the first channel outlet connection are configured to communicate with the extra-membrane path of the hollow fiber membrane which is the first channel, and the second channel inlet connection and the second channel outlet connection are configured to communicate with the intra-membrane path of the hollow fiber membrane which is the second channel.

3. The concentration apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the contact surface between the U-shaped tube and the hollow fiber membrane support is roughened.

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