Capillary Membrane Filtration Module with Staggered Headers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capillary membrane filtration modules face issues with high turbulence at the top headers, leading to material fatigue and reduced lifetime due to excessive flow velocity, and clogging occurs due to coalescence of air bubbles and suspended matter, which decreases filtration efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design features vertically arranged membrane curtains with individually spaced top headers at different heights, allowing for upward flow and reducing turbulence, along with corrugated top headers to increase passage area and prevent clogging, and the use of elastomeric materials to dampen vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air bubbles are introduced for cleaning and circulation, then filtration efficiency is improved, but flow velocity increases causing material fatigue and reduced lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a horizontal arrangement to a vertical arrangement of membrane curtains, changing the spatial dimension of the system. This vertical configuration allows gravity to assist in the downward flow of sludge while air bubbles rise upward, creating natural counter-current flow that reduces turbulence at the top headers and extends membrane lifetime while maintaining filtration efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic elements by allowing the sludge to flow naturally downward under gravity while air bubbles rise upward, creating a dynamic counter-current system. This dynamic arrangement reduces static pressure buildup and turbulence at fixed points, particularly at the top headers, thereby reducing material fatigue and extending membrane lifetime.
2Area of stationary object
If membrane curtains are arranged closely to increase specific membrane area, then module size is reduced, but turbulence increases causing material fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging membrane curtains vertically rather than horizontally, the invention maximizes the use of vertical space, allowing close spacing of multiple curtains within the same footprint. This increases the specific membrane area without proportionally increasing turbulence, as the vertical orientation facilitates smoother flow patterns and reduces eddy currents between adjacent curtains.
3Device complexity
If top headers are positioned at the same height for simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but clogging occurs due to coalescence of air bubbles and suspended matter
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces asymmetry by positioning top headers at alternating heights rather than at the same uniform level. This asymmetric arrangement prevents air bubbles and suspended matter from coalescing at a single horizontal plane, thereby preventing clogging and maintaining reliable filtration efficiency. The alternating height pattern creates staggered flow paths that disrupt the formation of clog-prone accumulations.
4Productivity
If flow velocity is increased for better circulation, then sludge distribution is improved, but turbulence increases causing material fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical arrangement of membrane curtains creates a three-dimensional flow pattern where sludge moves downward under gravity and air bubbles rise upward, utilizing the vertical dimension for circulation. This eliminates the need for high horizontal flow velocities, as the natural vertical movement achieves effective sludge distribution without generating excessive turbulence that would cause material fatigue.
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
This configuration reduces turbulence, extends the lifetime of capillary membranes, and maintains efficient filtration by minimizing clogging and ensuring uniform distribution of air bubbles and raw liquid, thereby optimizing the filtration process.
Implementation Method 1
Rising air bubbles carry along the raw liquid, hence generating a forced flow of said raw liquid (sludge)
Implementation Method 2
an outside-in (outside to inside) filtration direction is established by applying a transmembrane differential pressure to the hollow capillaries
Implementation Method 3
a permeate is obtained in the lumen of the capillaries
Implementation Method 4
A solution to removing the dirt accumulated at the outer surface of the capillaries is by air scrub (through the introduction of air bubbles at the outer surface of the capillaries)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A device for the filtration of liquids comprises a plurality of membrane curtains (2), each curtain being formed of a singular row of capillary membranes (5). The device further comprises at least one bottom header (3) provided at a lower end of the membrane curtains (lower end of the capillary membranes) and linked to the capillary membranes of at least one membrane curtain and an individual top header (4) for each membrane curtain. The top header is provided at an upper end of the membrane curtain and is linked to the capillary membranes thereof. Top headers of adjacent membrane curtains (41, 42) are arranged at different heights and the capillary membranes (5) of said adjacent membrane curtains (2) have different lengths.