Filter-Plate Assembly With Bonded Membranes for Low-Pressure Crossflow

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filtration equipment faces challenges in energy consumption, cleanability, and production efficiency, particularly when handling turbid and viscous media, with a need for improved liquid flow turbulence and optimized flow paths.

Innovation Solution

A filter-plate design featuring integrated drainage grids and bonded membranes, with external flow areas and internal channels, allowing for enhanced turbulence and reduced pressure loss, facilitating both external and internal cleaning, and enabling scalable manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional internally channeled filter-plates with perforations are used, then structural support is provided, but liquid flow turbulence is insufficient leading to reduced flux and cleaning efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefluxVSAvoidperforation structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter-plate is divided into two identical half filter-plates that are bonded together at their peripheries. This segmentation allows the creation of internal flow channels without requiring complex perforation patterns, as the channels are formed by the bonding interface itself. The segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining structural integrity and improving flow distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a two-dimensional perforated plate design to a three-dimensional internally channeled structure. By bonding two half-plates together, internal flow channels are created that add a vertical dimension to fluid flow, enabling turbulence enhancement and improved flux without increasing plate complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If filter-plates with integrated protrusions and complex internal channels are used, then flow paths are defined, but manufacturing scalability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing scalabilityVSAvoidinternal channel structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter-plate is divided into two identical half filter-plates that are bonded together at their peripheries. This segmentation allows the creation of internal flow channels without requiring complex perforation patterns, as the channels are formed by the bonding interface itself. The segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining structural integrity and improving flow distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Two identical half filter-plates are bonded together to form the complete filter-plate assembly. This merging of identical components simplifies manufacturing, as the same half-plate design can be mass-produced and then assembled. The bonding process creates the internal channel structure as an integrated feature, eliminating the need for separate channel-forming operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of energy

If membranes are bonded to filter-plates with insufficient external flow areas, then filtration is achieved, but pressure loss increases for media flowing past the membrane

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure lossVSAvoidexternal flow area

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from a two-dimensional perforated plate design to a three-dimensional internally channeled structure. By bonding two half-plates together, internal flow channels are created that add a vertical dimension to fluid flow, enabling turbulence enhancement and improved flux without increasing plate complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The external flow areas are strategically positioned and dimensioned to provide optimized flow paths for liquid media flowing past the membrane. The half-plate design allows for localized optimization of flow areas at specific regions, ensuring adequate flow distribution while minimizing overall pressure loss across the filter assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design achieves increased flux and improved filtration efficiency with reduced pressure loss, enabling efficient cleaning and handling of viscous media while maintaining a compact and lightweight structure.

Implementation Method 1

a filter membrane bonded adjacent to at least one flow area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

improved liquid flow turbulence for increased flux

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 3

internal flow channels for permeate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentEP3762133B1A filter-plate assembly with external flow areas and attached membranes

Publication Date: 2026.01.28 SANI MEMBRANES AS

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AI summary

The invention relates to a cross flow filtration unit, which provides a planar, rigid filter plate for filtration of liquid media, said plate having a planar membrane, which is fluid tight bonded at its edges to the surface of a partly hollow supporting plate comprising exit openings, internal flow channels, and flow areas for a first liquid medium, and the membrane being in fluid contact with said first liquid medium at its internal surface and being in fluid contact with a second liquid medium at its external surface.