Angled Slot Mass Transfer Device for Filter Clogging Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current filtration methods face challenges with filter membrane clogging due to particle accumulation, leading to increased energy expenditure and costly maintenance, as particles accumulate near the filter membrane surface in both dead-end and cross-flow filtration processes.
Innovation Solution
A mass transfer device with a wall structure featuring slots that generate sustained vortices, where the slot width-to-height ratio is less than 5 and the length is at least three times the width, oriented to form an angle between 15° and 165°, effectively suspending, concentrating, and transporting particles within the vortices, reducing clogging and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cross-flow filtration is used to reduce particle accumulation, then particle clogging is reduced, but concentration polarization still occurs and energy expenditure remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic vortex flow generated by angled slots instead of static cross-flow. The slots are oriented at specific angles (15°-165°) relative to the flow direction, creating sustained vortices that dynamically transport particles away from the membrane surface, preventing both clogging and concentration polarization while reducing energy requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the flow regime parameter from laminar cross-flow to vortex flow by introducing angled slots. The slot angle parameter (15°-165°) and aspect ratio parameter (length≥3×width, width-to-height ratio<5) are optimized to generate vortices that enhance particle transport efficiency and reduce energy consumption.
2Reliability
If dead-end filtration is used to achieve high particle removal, then filtration efficiency is improved, but filter membrane clogging increases rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms static dead-end filtration into dynamic vortex-assisted filtration. The angled slots generate vortices that continuously transport particles along the membrane surface and into the vortex cores, preventing particle accumulation and clogging while maintaining high particle removal efficiency, thereby extending filter operation time before maintenance is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the flow path by introducing multiple angled slots that create distributed vortex structures across the membrane surface. This segmentation prevents localized particle accumulation and distributes the filtration load, reducing overall clogging and maintenance frequency.
3Productivity
If high pressure is applied to transport mass through the filter, then mass transfer rate is improved, but energy expenditure and drag increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses dynamic vortex flow to enhance mass transfer without increasing pressure. The vortices generated by angled slots create strong convective transport that moves particles and fluid through the filtration system efficiently, achieving high productivity at lower pressure and energy consumption compared to conventional high-pressure filtration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs hydraulic vortex flow generated by the angled slots to achieve efficient mass transfer. The vortex structures create enhanced fluid motion and particle transport through hydrodynamic forces rather than relying solely on high pressure, reducing energy expenditure while maintaining productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device efficiently suspends and transports particles within the vortices, reducing particle accumulation on the filter membrane, thereby minimizing clogging and energy expenditure, while maintaining effective filtration with reduced pressure requirements.
Implementation Method 1
uses slots defined in solid wall regions of the filter to generate sustained vortices in the slots
Implementation Method 2
the vortices transport particles in the vortices along the filter to reduce clogging of the filter
Data Source
AI summary
A mass transfer device includes a wall structure having a first surface and a second surface. The wall structure has slots extending there through between the first and second surfaces. Each slot has a width, a length and a height. For purposes of mass transfer applications to include cross-flow fluid filtering, the length is at least approximately 3 times the width for each of the slots, and a width-to-height ratio for each of the slots is less than approximately 5.