Branch-Line Membrane Evaluation for Fine-Particle Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for evaluating the performance of membrane filtration devices in ultrapure water production systems are limited in detail and can disrupt system operation, particularly in detecting fine particle deterioration below 10 nm.

Innovation Solution

A performance evaluation device with branch lines and smaller evaluation filtration membranes connected to the main line, using water quality meters and membrane property evaluation to assess membrane deterioration directly, allowing online monitoring without disrupting system operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sampled water evaluation method is used (JP 6,450,563 B), then the system operation can continue without disruption, but the evaluation detail and accuracy are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidevaluation detail

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into a main line for continuous water production and a branch line for evaluation. The branch line includes a bypass that allows sampling without disrupting the main system operation, enabling detailed evaluation while maintaining continuous production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An evaluation filtration membrane device is introduced as an intermediary component in the branch line. This device has the same membrane type as the main filtration device but smaller membrane area, allowing detailed particle capture and evaluation without affecting the main system's continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If conventional sampled water evaluation is used, then operational disruption is minimized, but detection accuracy for fine particles below 10 nm is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational continuityVSAvoidfine particle detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The evaluation system is segmented into a separate branch line with dedicated evaluation filtration membrane devices. This allows the main production line to continue operating at full productivity while the branch line performs high-precision fine particle detection below 10 nm without operational disruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The evaluation filtration membrane devices use the same membrane type as the main filtration device, creating a copy that replicates the filtration characteristics. This copying approach enables accurate detection of fine particles below 10 nm while the main system continues normal production operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If larger membrane area is used in evaluation device, then evaluation detail improves, but operational impact on pure water production equipment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevaluation detailVSAvoidoperational impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The evaluation filtration membrane devices have smaller membrane area compared to the main filtration device, creating a local quality difference. This localized reduction in membrane area minimizes the operational impact on pure water production while still providing sufficient surface area for detailed particle evaluation in the branch line.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using the full membrane area of the main filtration device for evaluation, only a partial area is utilized in the evaluation devices. This partial action approach provides adequate evaluation detail while minimizing the impact on the overall productivity of the pure water production equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Enables detailed evaluation of membrane performance with high accuracy and reliability, minimizing operational impact by simulating membrane conditions and providing real-time feedback on membrane health.

Implementation Method 1

a membrane filtration device such as an ultrafiltration membrane device is provided for the purpose of removing fine particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMembrane filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20250332549A1Performance evaluation device for membrane filtration device in pure water production equipment, pure water production system using the same, and performance evaluation method for membrane filtration device in pure water production equipment

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 ORGANO CORP

AI summary

A performance evaluation device of a membrane filtration device is a device for evaluating the performance of the membrane filtration device in pure water production equipment. The performance evaluation device includes branch lines that branch off at the inlet of the membrane filtration device from a line on which the membrane filtration device of the pure water production equipment is provided, and at least one evaluation filtration membrane device is connected to the branch lines. At least one of the evaluation filtration membrane devices has the same type of membrane as that of the membrane filtration device, and the membrane area of the membrane of at least one of the evaluation filtration membrane devices is smaller than the membrane area of the membrane of the membrane filtration device.