Cross-Flow Membrane Filtration With Alternating Downstream Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cross-flow membrane filtration systems in the beverage industry face performance degradation due to retentate accumulation, leading to frequent and simultaneous clogging of filter elements, necessitating frequent cleaning and disrupting continuous operation.
Innovation Solution
A filtration method and system with at least two filter modules, where retentate from one module is periodically diverted to another, allowing staggered cleaning and maintaining high performance by alternating the downstream module, thus reducing overall system load and optimizing cleaning timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple filter modules operate in parallel without staggered cleaning arrangement, then filtration capacity is increased, but all filter elements become clogged simultaneously requiring frequent cleaning interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system is divided into multiple independently operable filter modules (first, second, third filter modules) that can be selectively activated or deactivated. This segmentation allows individual modules to be cleaned without stopping the entire filtration system, as other modules continue to operate and can be switched to handle the full flow temporarily.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically reconfigures the operational state of filter modules based on their cleaning needs. When one module requires cleaning, the system switches to operating with fewer active modules or redirects flow dynamically, allowing maintenance to be performed without complete system shutdown and maintaining continuous filtration capability.
2Reliability
If filter elements are cleaned frequently to maintain performance, then filter performance is maintained, but system downtime increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration system maintains continuous operation by having multiple filter modules that can be independently cleaned. When one module is taken offline for cleaning, others remain operational, ensuring the useful action of filtration continues without interruption. The system transitions smoothly between modules to maintain continuous productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs cleaning actions on individual filter modules in advance before they become completely clogged, using the capacity of other modules to compensate temporarily. This preliminary maintenance approach prevents complete system shutdown and maintains overall filter performance throughout the cleaning process.
3Duration of action of moving object
If retentate accumulates in the filtration system during operation, then filtration continues, but filterability decreases and cleaning becomes necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the retentate handling by directing retentate from specific filter modules to designated downstream modules for accumulation. This allows individual modules to be emptied of retentate and cleaned while others continue filtering, preventing system-wide filterability degradation and enabling staged maintenance without stopping operation.
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 approach maintains consistent filter performance by staggered cleaning, reducing sediment accumulation, and enabling continuous operation with efficient debris removal, enhancing system efficiency and reducing maintenance frequency.
Implementation Method 1
cross-flow membrane filtration
Implementation Method 2
cross-flow membrane filtration
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 1d~1f
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for filtering liquids in a cross-flow membrane filtration system and a corresponding cross-flow membrane filtration system. According to the invention, the method is carried out in a cross-flow membrane filtration system having at least two filter modules, each of which receives unfiltrate from a common unfiltrate line. The filter modules each discharge the filtrate into a common filtrate line, and all filter modules are interconnected by a common retentate line. The method steps comprise arranging one of the filter modules downstream of the other, upstream filter modules and, for this purpose, directing the retentate from all upstream filter modules through the retentate line into the downstream filter module.Subsequently, the filtration operation is carried out until cleaning of the downstream filter module begins, which either interrupts the filtration operation or continues the filtration operation using the additional filter module(s). Finally, a subsequent filter module is then simultaneously or subsequently installed downstream, and the previously downstream filter module is operated as the upstream filter module after cleaning. The process is carried out in such a way that each of the filter modules is operated alternately and temporarily downstream during the process.