Crossflow Filter Guide Walls for Adaptive Membrane Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crossflow filter devices suffer from short-circuiting of the flow channel due to incomplete seals between the retentate-side plate and the membrane, which impairs filtration efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of resiliently deformable guide walls that form a fluid-tight seal with the filter membrane, eliminating short-circuiting by adapting to different membrane types and creating eddies for improved filtration efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid guide walls are used to seal the flow channel, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but adaptability to different membrane types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide walls are made from resiliently deformable material that can flex and conform to different membrane surfaces, providing both sealing effectiveness and adaptability to various membrane types
2Productivity
If the flow channel path is extended to increase membrane contact area, then filtration efficiency is improved, but pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel follows a serpentine path with curved transitions instead of sharp angles, reducing flow resistance and pressure loss while maintaining extended contact with the membrane surface for high filtration efficiency
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 solution effectively seals the flow channel, ensuring all feed liquid passes over a large membrane area, enhancing filtration efficiency and allowing the use of various membrane types in the same device.
Implementation Method 1
The resiliently deformable flow channel guide walls are formed of elastomer, such as thermoplastic poly-urethane (TPU), natural rubber, silicone rubber, polysilaxane, or latex
Implementation Method 2
Crossflow filtration is a process in which a pressurised feed liquid is forced to flow tangentially over a membrane permeable to a filtrate derivable from the feed liquid
Implementation Method 3
This improves filtration efficiency by forcing all the feed liquid to pass over a large area of the membrane, and helps to create eddies and turbulence to break up linear flow
Data Source
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AI summary
A crossflow filter device for filtering a pressurised feed liquid is provided. The crossflow filter device comprises: a filter membrane; a flow channel for the pressurised feed liquid which extends in a path over a retentate surface of the membrane such that the direction of flow in the channel is tangential to the retentate surface, and a filtrate derived from the feed liquid passes through the membrane leaving retentate liquid in the flow channel; and a collection chamber for the filtrate formed on an opposite, filtrate surface of the membrane. The crossflow filter device further comprises a sealed housing having a retentate side and a filtrate side which enclose therebetween the flow channel, the filter membrane and the collection chamber. The crossflow filter device further comprises, flow channel guide walls provided at an inner surface of the retentate side of the housing. The guide walls are configured to form a fluid tight seal with the filter membrane, and thereby define the path of the flow channel over the retentate surface of the membrane.