Ascorbic Acid Cleaning for Microfiltration Membranes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning methods for microporous membranes, particularly those using ferric floc, are inefficient and lead to irreversible fouling, resulting in increased costs and reduced membrane life due to incomplete removal of contaminants like ferric floc and oxidized iron.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a fluid composition containing ascorbic acid as a reducing agent, optionally supplemented with enhancing agents like inorganic or organic acids, to solubilize and remove contaminants by reducing their valence state, thereby facilitating effective cleaning of microporous membranes without causing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional cleaning methods are used to remove ferric floc and oxidized iron from membranes, then cleaning process is performed, but cleaning efficiency is low and irreversible fouling occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the cleaning solution by using ascorbic acid as a reducing agent to alter the valence state of iron contaminants. This chemical parameter change enables effective removal of ferric floc and oxidized iron without causing irreversible fouling, thereby improving both cleaning efficiency and membrane life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical or physical cleaning methods with a chemical reduction mechanism. By using ascorbic acid to reduce iron contaminants to a soluble state, the method substitutes ineffective mechanical removal with a chemically-driven dissolution process, significantly enhancing cleaning efficiency while protecting membrane integrity.
2Productivity
If pressure is increased to maintain viable throughput of liquid, then filtration efficiency is maintained, but energy cost increases and filtrate production decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary cleaning action using ascorbic acid solution to remove contaminants from membrane pores before filtration operations begin. This pre-cleaning step prevents pore blockage that would otherwise require increased pressure to maintain throughput, thereby reducing energy costs and maintaining higher filtrate production throughout the filtration cycle.
3Quantity of substance
If flocculating agents are used to remove dissolved organic compounds, then color and turbidity are removed, but membrane blockage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ascorbic acid as an intermediary substance that mediates between the flocculating agents and the membrane. The reducing agent converts iron-based contaminants into a soluble form that does not block membrane pores, allowing flocculating agents to effectively remove dissolved organic compounds without causing harmful membrane blockage.
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 method significantly reduces cleaning time, enhances membrane permeability, and extends membrane life by efficiently removing ferric floc and other metal precipitates, leading to improved water production and lower transmembrane pressure, thus offering a more effective and cost-efficient solution compared to existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
A method utilizing a fluid composition containing ascorbic acid as a reducing agent, optionally supplemented with enhancing agents like inorganic or organic acids, to solubilize and remove contaminants by reducing their valence state
Data Source
AI summary
A system for and method of cleaning polymeric and ceramic microfiltration and ultrafiltration membranes in hollow fiber, flat sheet, and tubular membrane units is provided. The method includes using a reducing agent, specifically ascorbic acid, based formulation. The method also includes certain protocols useful in conducting such cleanings. The system includes features for facilitating the method of the present invention.