Enzymatic Membrane Cleaning via Sequential Protease Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Membrane filtration installations face frequent clogging issues due to particles settling on membranes, leading to inefficient and costly enzymatic treatments that often involve unnecessary enzyme injections and require dismantling of equipment, as existing methods lack targeted and effective solutions for identifying and addressing specific blockages.
Innovation Solution
A method involving sequential supply and circulation of enzymatic solutions with different enzymes, accompanied by parameter measurements at inlets and outlets, to identify the nature of blockages without dismantling the installation, ensuring only necessary enzymes are used, and optimizing enzymatic activity through pH control and additional steps like detergent solutions and pH jumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large volumes of enzymatic solutions containing multiple enzymes are injected to treat blockages globally, then the membrane pores can be cleaned, but the cost increases, environmental impact worsens, and unnecessary enzymes are used
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the enzymatic treatment process into multiple sequential steps, each using a different type of enzyme (protease, polysaccharidase, lipase, etc.). Instead of injecting a large volume of mixed enzymatic cocktail, the system applies specific enzymes in sequence to target different types of fouling particles, thereby reducing overall enzyme consumption while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameters of the treatment process by controlling pH levels and using detergent solutions between enzyme applications. This optimization enhances enzyme activity and effectiveness, allowing smaller volumes of enzymatic solutions to achieve the same cleaning results, thus reducing enzyme usage and cost.
2Adaptability or versatility
If enzymatic cocktails containing different enzymes are injected to dislodge particles, then various types of clogging can be addressed, but the complexity of the treatment process increases and effectiveness decreases due to lack of targeting
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the enzymatic treatment into separate sequential steps, each dedicated to a specific enzyme type. This segmentation allows each enzyme to work specifically on its target substrate without interference from other enzymes, improving the reliability and effectiveness of the treatment while maintaining the ability to address different clogging types.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different enzyme types at different stages of the treatment process, matching each enzyme's specific activity to the type of fouling present. This localized application of specific enzymatic properties enhances treatment effectiveness for each clogging type while avoiding the inefficiency of using broad-spectrum enzymatic cocktails.
3Reliability
If filters are removed from the filtration system for enzymatic treatment, then thorough cleaning can be achieved, but the complexity of the process increases and production downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the membrane filtration system to undergo enzymatic treatment in-place without removal from the filtration line. The system serves itself by allowing enzymatic solutions to be circulated through the existing filtration infrastructure, eliminating the need for dismantling and reassembly, thus reducing production downtime while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the filtration system multi-functional by enabling it to perform both filtration and enzymatic treatment functions within the same operational configuration. The system can switch between filtration mode and treatment mode without physical reconfiguration, allowing thorough cleaning to be achieved while minimizing disruption to production operations.
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 allows for precise identification and targeted removal of clogging particles, reducing enzyme usage, costs, and environmental impact by ensuring only effective enzymes are injected, thereby maintaining membrane efficiency and reducing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
a first step a) of supplying and circulating in said membrane filtration installation for a first predetermined period of time a first enzyme solution comprising at least one protease
Implementation Method 2
an enzymatic cocktail containing a range of enzymes is injected and then circulated through the system to dislodge the cakes clogging the filters
Implementation Method 3
additional steps like detergent solutions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for treating a membrane filtration installation having at least one inlet and at least one outlet of fluid, said method comprising a first step a) of introducing and circulating in said membrane filtration installation for a first predetermined period of time a first enzymatic solution comprising at least one protease, said first step a) being followed by a first measurement, carried out at said at least one inlet and/or at said at least one outlet of fluid of said membrane filtration installation, of at least one first value of a parameter enabling the characterization of the fluid circulating in said membrane filtration installation, this at least one first measured value of a parameter being compared to a measured value of the same parameter prior to step a).