Hollow Fiber Membrane Module and Method for Manufacturing the Same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hollow fiber membrane module comprising: a housing having a retaining projection formed inside and a flow path formed on the outer side of the retaining projection; a gasket laminated on the retaining projection and having an opening formed therein; a hollow fiber membrane unit in which a plurality of hollow fiber membranes are bound by a binding layer that forms a gap at each of their ends, such that each end of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes is exposed to the outer side of the outermost binding layer, and the outermost binding layer is placed in the gasket, through which the ends of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes are exposed to the flow path through the opening; and a fixing part formed by filling a potting material between the housing and the hollow fiber membrane unit on the upper side of the gasket; wherein an insertion rim protrudes from the upper surface of the retaining projection, and the gasket further comprises a seating groove formed on the inner rim of the upper surface in which the outermost binding layer is placed, and an insertion groove formed on the lower surface in which the insertion rim is inserted.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hollow fiber membrane module and a method for manufacturing the same. Background Technology

[0003] It is a well-known fact that water treatment using hollow fiber membranes is a technology that filters various polymeric or particulate pollutants present in water by utilizing the difference in pore size formed on the surface of the hollow fiber membrane. In this context, it is also a well-known fact that water treatment using hollow fiber membranes—that is, the technology for separating contaminated water—is not only significantly more economical in terms of energy savings, equipment simplification, and operational efficiency compared to traditional physical treatment methods using coagulation and sedimentation or distillation methods used in chemical treatment, but is also being extensively researched and commercialized across various industrial scales, ranging from simple laboratory scales to large-scale applications, in response to social demands such as global environmental protection.

[0004] As an example of prior art regarding hollow fiber membrane modules, Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1629613 comprises a header; and a sheet block inserted into the header; and

[0005] The present invention provides a hollow fiber membrane module characterized in that the sheet block comprises a plurality of hollow fiber membrane blocks arranged at uniform intervals in the longitudinal and vertical directions of the header; and a resin block formed at the end of the plurality of hollow fiber membrane blocks and fixed by contacting the inner wall of the header, wherein the header is shaped to gradually narrow from the header inlet to the inner center of the header and further has a stopper formed thereon to allow the lower part of the resin block to be seated, the width (w2) of the resin block is greater than the width (w1) of the arrangement of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes, and the space formed between the plurality of hollow fiber membranes from the upper part of the resin block to the header inlet is filled by potting to fix the hollow fiber membranes.

[0006] However, in the case of the above technology, there is a problem in that after the upper part of the resin bonding section of a plurality of aligned hollow fiber membranes is seated inside the header and the upper part of the resin bonding section is filled with potting material and bonded, the hollow fiber membranes cannot be maintained in a state of alignment with a uniform gap above the resin bonding section and are bonded to the header section, which may result in non-uniform spacing between the plurality of hollow fiber membranes in the header. This problem acts as a factor that can accelerate localized fouling phenomena, as there are areas around the header section where the gap between the hollow fiber membranes is unevenly narrowed. Furthermore, during the process of inserting a plurality of hollow fiber membrane sheet blocks into the header and injecting potting material, the sheet blocks are positioned at the center of the internal stopper of the header, making it difficult to form a uniform gap with the sheet blocks. This increases the likelihood of the potting material leaking into the header collection section below the sheet blocks, and the adhesion between the header and the inserted sheet blocks relies solely on the adhesive strength of the potting material, which causes a decrease in the filtration efficiency of the membrane and a decrease in durability in the long term. Prior art literature

[0008] Republic of Korea Patent Registration No. 10-1629613 The problem to be solved

[0009] The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a hollow fiber membrane module and a method for manufacturing the same, wherein a hollow fiber membrane unit is mounted in a housing with watertightness ensured and a uniform spacing between hollow fiber membranes can be maintained. means of solving the problem

[0011] As a means to solve the aforementioned problems, the hollow fiber membrane module of the present invention comprises: a housing having a retaining projection formed inside and a flow path formed on the outer side of the retaining projection; a gasket laminated on the retaining projection and having an opening formed therein; a hollow fiber membrane unit in which a plurality of hollow fiber membranes are bound by a binding layer that forms a gap at each of their ends, such that each end of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes is exposed to the outer side of the outermost binding layer, and the outermost binding layer is placed in the gasket, through which the ends of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes are exposed to the flow path; and a fixing part formed by filling a potting material between the housing and the hollow fiber membrane unit on the upper side of the gasket; wherein an insertion rim protrudes from the upper surface of the retaining projection, and the gasket further comprises a seating groove formed on the inner rim of the upper surface in which the outermost binding layer is placed, and an insertion groove formed on the lower surface in which the insertion rim is inserted.

[0012] delete

[0013] As one example, the above-described hollow fiber membrane unit is composed of a stack of hollow fiber membrane sheets comprising a plurality of hollow fiber membranes arranged with a gap and a binding part that fixes the plurality of hollow fiber membranes with a gap at both ends so that both ends are exposed, and is characterized in that a binding layer is formed by the plurality of binding parts.

[0014] As an example, the above hollow fiber membrane unit is characterized by further comprising a second fixing part that is filled between the hollow fiber membranes by a second potting material between the binding layers at both ends to fix each hollow fiber membrane sheet.

[0015] As an example, the second fixing part is characterized by having a plurality of spaced protrusions on both sides so that the hollow fiber membrane unit is maintained at a certain distance from the housing.

[0016] Meanwhile, the method for manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane module of the present invention comprises: a step (S10) of manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane unit such that a plurality of hollow fiber membranes are bound by a binding layer that forms a gap at both ends, and each end of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes is exposed to the outside of the outermost binding layer; a step (S20) of placing the hollow fiber membrane unit in a housing in which a gasket is placed so that a gasket forming an opening is placed in the housing, wherein a stopper is formed inside and a flow path is formed on the outside of the stopper, and the outermost binding layer contacts the gasket and penetrates the opening to expose the ends of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes to the flow path; and a step (S30) of filling a potting material between the housing and the hollow fiber membrane unit above the gasket to form a fixing part. The step S10 comprises a step (S11) of manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane sheet including a plurality of hollow fiber membranes arranged with a gap and a binding part that is fixed with a gap at both ends of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes so that each end of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes is exposed. The method comprises: a step (S12) of forming a hollow fiber membrane laminate by stacking a plurality of hollow fiber membrane sheets to form a binding layer by a plurality of binding parts; and a step (S13) of forming a second fixing part that fixes the hollow fiber membrane sheets by filling a second potting material between the hollow fiber membranes at both ends of the hollow fiber membrane laminate between the binding layers. The step S13 is characterized by placing the hollow fiber membrane laminate in a mold that includes a receiving space in which the hollow fiber membrane laminate is placed, a plurality of grooves on both side walls of the receiving space, and injection holes communicating with the outside at each groove, and injecting a second filling material through the injection holes to form the second fixing part.

[0017] delete

[0018] delete Effects of the invention

[0020] As explained above, the present invention has the advantage of controlling leakage, leakage of potting material, etc. by mounting a hollow fiber membrane unit in a housing in a state where watertightness is ensured.

[0021] In addition, there is an advantage in that the stability and durability of the filtration efficiency can be improved by maintaining a certain gap between each hollow fiber membrane constituting the hollow fiber membrane module. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0023] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view showing a state in which a hollow fiber membrane unit is mounted in a housing, and FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a hollow fiber membrane sheet and a hollow fiber membrane assembly, and FIG. 4 is a side view showing a hollow fiber membrane unit, and FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a housing, and FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a gasket, and FIGS. 7 and FIGS. 8 are drawings showing a mold, and FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the method of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0024] Hereinafter, the structure and operation of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawings. In describing the present invention, terms and words used in this specification and claims must be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms to describe his invention in the best way possible.

[0026] The hollow fiber membrane module (1) of the present invention comprises: a housing (2) in which a stopper (21) is formed inside as shown in FIG. 1, and a flow path (22) is formed on the outside of the stopper (21); a gasket (4) which is laminated on the stopper (21) and has an opening (45) formed therein; and a hollow fiber membrane unit (3) in which a plurality of hollow fiber membranes (311) are bound by a binding layer (321) that forms a gap at each of both ends, such that each end of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes (311) is exposed to the outside of the outermost binding layer (321), and the outermost binding layer (321) is placed on the gasket (4) and penetrates the opening (45) to expose the ends of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes (311) to the flow path (22). It is characterized by including a fixing part (6) formed by filling a potting material between the housing (2) and the hollow fiber membrane unit (3) on the upper part of the gasket (4).

[0027] The above housing (2) is configured as a pair, and both ends of the hollow fiber membrane unit (3) are fixed to each of the housings (2) as described below.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the housing (2) has a stopper (21) formed thereon, and a flow path (22) is formed at the end of the housing (2) on the outside. The treated water, which has been filtered by a plurality of hollow fiber membranes (311), is collected in the flow path (22), and the treated water thus collected is discharged to the outside of the hollow fiber membrane module (1) through a water intake port, although no drawing number is shown.

[0029] The above-mentioned stopper (21) protrudes from the inside of the housing (2) to form two openings as shown in FIG. 5, and a gasket (4) facing each opening is placed on the stopper (21) as shown in FIG. 5.

[0030] The above gasket (4) is made of an elastic material and is configured to form an opening (45). By placing the gasket (4) between the catch (21) and the outermost binding layer (321) of the hollow fiber membrane unit (3), watertightness is improved, and in the event of exposure to periodic vibrations during use, this can be mitigated, thereby reducing the fatigue that may be imposed on the catch (21) and the hollow fiber membrane unit (3).

[0031] In particular, as shown in FIG. 2, the present invention further improves watertightness by preventing the gasket (4) from slipping in the locking projection (21) of the housing (2). To this end, an insertion rim (211) is formed protruding from the upper surface of the locking projection (21), and the gasket (4) is formed with a seating groove (42) in which the outermost binding layer (321) is seated on the inner edge of the upper surface (41), and an insertion groove (44) in which the insertion rim (211) is inserted is formed on the lower surface (43).

[0032] That is, the leakage point is controlled by mounting the hollow fiber membrane unit (3) so that the gasket (4) is firmly seated at the catch (21).

[0033] The above hollow fiber membrane unit (3) is shown in an example where two hollow fiber membrane units (3) are assembled in one housing (2) as seen in FIG. 1, but is not limited thereto.

[0034] The above hollow fiber membrane unit (3) is configured to bind a plurality of hollow fiber membranes (311), and to this end, the plurality of hollow fiber membranes (311) are bound by binding layers (321) that form a gap at each end.

[0035] In addition, the ends of the hollow fiber membranes (311) are exposed to the outside of the outermost binding layer (321), so that the exposed ends are exposed to the flow path (22) of the housing (2) as shown in FIG. 2. That is, the outermost binding layer (321) is placed in the gasket (4) and penetrates the opening (41) to expose the ends of the hollow fiber membranes (311) to the flow path (22).

[0036] To explain the hollow fiber membrane unit (3) in more detail, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the hollow fiber membrane unit (3) is configured such that hollow fiber membrane sheets (31) are stacked to form a hollow fiber membrane laminate (32), and each hollow fiber membrane sheet (31) in the hollow fiber membrane laminate (32) is connected by a second fixing part (33).

[0037] The above hollow fiber membrane sheet (31) is characterized by including a plurality of hollow fiber membranes (311) arranged with a gap and a binding part (312) that fixes the plurality of hollow fiber membranes (311) with a gap at both ends so that both ends are exposed.

[0038] That is, multiple hollow fiber membranes (311) are fixed at each end by two binding parts (312) to form a mutual spacing, and the ends of each hollow fiber membrane (311) are exposed to the outside of the outermost binding part (312).

[0039] The above hollow fiber membrane laminate (32) is formed by stacking a plurality of hollow fiber membrane sheets (31), and a binding layer (321) is formed by a plurality of binding parts (312).

[0040] By doing this, each hollow fiber membrane (311) is made to have a certain gap between them at both ends.

[0041] The second fixing part (33) is formed between the two ends of the hollow fiber membrane laminate (32) by filling and curing a second potting material between the hollow fiber membranes (311). Each hollow fiber membrane sheet (31) is fixed by this second fixing part (33). In particular, the hollow fiber membranes (311) are fixed while maintaining a gap between them at the ends of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes (311) by the binding part (312) and the binding layer (321), and additionally, the hollow fiber membranes (311) are fixed while maintaining a gap between them at the center of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes (311) by the second fixing part (33).

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, the second fixing part (33) is formed by curing while simultaneously filling between the hollow fiber membranes (311) and the binding layer (321) formed at each end of the hollow fiber membrane laminate (32).

[0043] In the case of conventional hollow fiber membrane modules, there is no configuration to maintain the spacing between hollow fiber membranes in the central part, so during use, deformation occurs in the hollow fiber membranes due to the deposition of foreign substances or vibration, resulting in the formation of uneven spacing between hollow fiber membranes. Such uneven spacing can cause problems such as the accumulation of contaminants on the membrane surface due to the restriction of fluid flow, damage due to contact between membranes, and membrane damage due to increased flow velocity when the spacing is wide, thereby reducing filtration efficiency and durability. However, in the present invention, a second fixing part (33) is configured to be filled and hardened between the hollow fiber membranes (311) to solve the above problems.

[0044] The above-mentioned second potting material may be made of various known materials, and preferably composed of an elastic material such as urethane so as to cushion impacts during use.

[0045] In addition, the second fixing part (33) is characterized by having a plurality of spaced protrusions (331) on both sides, so that the hollow fiber membrane unit (3) is maintained at a certain distance from the housing (2) as shown in FIG. 2. That is, the fixing part (6) is formed by filling the potting material while the hollow fiber membrane unit (3) is maintained at centering by the spaced protrusions (331) in the housing (2), thereby controlling the occurrence of eccentricity in the hollow fiber membrane unit (3) during the process of filling the potting material. If the hollow fiber membrane unit (3) is fixed in a state where eccentricity occurs in the housing (2), a problem similar to the problem of uneven spacing between hollow fiber membranes mentioned earlier occurs, and this problem is resolved by the configuration of the spaced protrusions (331).

[0046] As previously mentioned, the above fixing part (6) is formed by placing a gasket (4) and a hollow fiber membrane unit (3) in the housing (2), and then filling and curing a potting material between the housing (2) and the hollow fiber membrane unit (3) on top of the gasket (4), and corresponds to a configuration for watertightly fixing the hollow fiber membrane unit (3) in the housing (2).

[0047] In the case of the potting material mentioned above, various known materials may be applied, and it is reasonable to preferably be composed of an elastic material such as urethane to cushion impacts during use.

[0048] Meanwhile, the present invention also presents a method for manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane module as shown in FIG. 9. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of: manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane unit such that a plurality of hollow fiber membranes are bound by a binding layer that forms a gap at both ends, and each end of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes is exposed to the outside of the outermost binding layer (S10); placing the hollow fiber membrane unit in a housing in which a gasket is placed to form an opening, wherein a stopper is formed inside and a flow path is formed on the outside of the stopper, and the outermost binding layer contacts the gasket and penetrates the opening to expose the ends of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes to the flow path (S20); and filling a potting material between the housing and the hollow fiber membrane unit above the gasket to form a fixing part (S30).

[0049] In addition, the above S10 step is characterized by comprising: a step (S11) of manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane sheet (311) including a plurality of hollow fiber membranes (311) arranged with a gap and a binding part (312) fixed with a gap at both ends of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes (311) so that each end of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes (311) is exposed; a step (S12) of forming a hollow fiber membrane laminate (32) by stacking the plurality of hollow fiber membrane sheets (311) so that a binding layer (321) is formed by the plurality of binding parts (312); and a step (S13) of forming a second fixing part (33) that fixes the hollow fiber membrane sheet (31) by filling a second potting material between the hollow fiber membranes (311) at both ends of the hollow fiber membrane laminate (32) between the binding layer (321).

[0050] In particular, the manufacturing method of the present invention is characterized in that step S13 applies the mold (5) shown in FIGS. 6 and FIGS. 7.

[0051] The above mold (5) is characterized by including a receiving space (51) in which the hollow fiber membrane laminate (32) is placed, a plurality of grooves (52) on both side walls of the receiving space (51), and an injection hole (53) communicating with the outside from each groove (52).

[0052] In this mold (5), the hollow fiber membrane laminate (32) is placed in the receiving space (51) and the second filling material is injected through the injection hole (53). The second filling material fills the injection space (51), and the spaces between the hollow fiber membranes (311) are filled by the second filling material. The second filling material is filled into each groove (52), thereby forming a second fixed part (33) in which a spaced protrusion (331) is formed.

[0054] From the above description, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Accordingly, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification, but should be determined by the claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0056] 1: The present invention 2: Housing 3 : Hollow fiber membrane unit 4 : Gasket 5 : Mold 6 : Fixing part

Claims

Claim 1 A hollow fiber membrane module comprising: a housing having a stopper formed inside and a flow path formed on the outer side of the stopper; a gasket laminated on the stopper and having an opening formed therein; a hollow fiber membrane unit in which a plurality of hollow fiber membranes are bound by a binding layer that forms a gap at each of their ends, such that each end of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes is exposed to the outer side of the outermost binding layer, and the outermost binding layer is seated in the gasket, through which the ends of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes are exposed to the flow path through the opening; and a fixing part formed by filling a potting material between the housing and the hollow fiber membrane unit on the upper side of the gasket; wherein an insertion rim protrudes from the upper surface of the stopper, and the gasket further comprises a seating groove formed on the inner rim of the upper surface in which the outermost binding layer is seated, and an insertion groove formed on the lower surface in which the insertion rim is inserted. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 In claim 1, the hollow fiber membrane unit is composed of a plurality of hollow fiber membrane sheets arranged with a plurality of hollow fiber membranes forming a gap and a binding part that fixes the plurality of hollow fiber membranes with a gap at both ends so that both ends are exposed, and the hollow fiber membrane module is characterized in that a binding layer is formed by the plurality of binding parts. Claim 4 A hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 3, characterized in that the hollow fiber membrane unit further comprises a second fixing part that is filled between the hollow fiber membranes between the binding layers at both ends by a second potting material to fix each hollow fiber membrane sheet. Claim 5 In claim 4, the hollow fiber membrane module is characterized in that the second fixing part has a plurality of spaced-apart protrusions formed on both sides so that the hollow fiber membrane unit is maintained at a certain distance from the housing. Claim 6 A step of manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane unit such that a plurality of hollow fiber membranes are bound by a binding layer that forms a gap at both ends, and each end of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes is exposed to the outside of the outermost binding layer (S10); a step of placing the hollow fiber membrane unit in a housing in which a gasket forming an opening is placed, wherein a stopper is formed inside and a flow path is formed on the outside of the stopper, and the outermost binding layer contacts the gasket and penetrates the opening to expose the ends of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes to the flow path (S20); and a step (S30) of filling a potting material between the housing and the hollow fiber membrane unit on the upper part of the gasket to form a fixing part; wherein the step S10 comprises: a step (S11) of manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane sheet including a plurality of hollow fiber membranes arranged with a gap and a binding part fixed with a gap at both ends of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes so that both ends of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes are each exposed; and a step (S12) of forming a hollow fiber membrane laminate by stacking the plurality of hollow fiber membrane sheets so that a binding layer is formed by the plurality of binding parts. A method for manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane module, comprising: a step (S13) of forming a second fixing part for fixing a hollow fiber membrane sheet by filling a second potting material between the hollow fiber membranes as between the binding layers at both ends of the hollow fiber membrane laminate; wherein, in step S13, the hollow fiber membrane laminate is placed in a mold comprising a receiving space in which the hollow fiber membrane laminate is placed, a plurality of grooves on both side walls of the receiving space, and injection holes communicating with the outside at each groove, and the second filling material is injected through the injection holes to form the second fixing part. Claim 7 delete Claim 8 delete

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