Filter Tank Guide With Conditioning Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Membrane-based filter devices face challenges in achieving reproducible filtration results, especially with liquids having complex rheological and chemical behaviors, making it difficult to predict and calculate process conditions.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a guide on the inner tank surface with distinct sections to create specific flow profiles, which can house various conditioning devices such as electrodes, heat exchangers, and dosing units, allowing for adjustment of process conditions like viscosity, temperature, and electrokinetic phenomena to optimize filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If membrane-based filtration is used for liquids with complex rheological and chemical behavior, then filtration can be performed, but reproducible results cannot be achieved due to unpredictable process conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a conditioning device that can modify physical and chemical parameters of the liquid before filtration. The device includes a heating element to change temperature, a stirring mechanism to change viscosity and homogeneity, and a pH adjustment system. These parameter changes make the process conditions predictable and reproducible, directly addressing the reliability issue while managing complexity through integrated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by conditioning the liquid (heating, stirring, pH adjustment) before it enters the filtration stage. This pre-treatment ensures that the liquid has optimized properties for filtration, making the subsequent filtration process reproducible. The conditioning occurs in advance, allowing process conditions to be controlled and predicted before the actual filtration takes place.
2Productivity
If guides are added to improve flow profile and turbulence, then membrane output increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the guide structure. The guide not only directs flow to create turbulence and improve membrane output but also houses the conditioning device (heating element, stirring mechanism, pH adjustment). This integration increases productivity through improved flow profiles while managing device complexity by combining rather than adding separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure serves multiple functions: it creates the desired flow profile and turbulence for increased membrane output, provides structural support within the tank, and houses the conditioning device. This multi-functionality increases productivity while avoiding the complexity increase that would result from adding separate components for each function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple conditioning devices are integrated into the guide, then process conditions can be optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by placing multiple conditioning devices (heating element, stirring mechanism, pH adjustment system) inside the guide structure. The guide acts as a container that houses these conditioning devices, allowing them to be integrated without increasing overall device complexity. This nesting arrangement provides adaptability for optimizing process conditions while maintaining a compact and manageable system architecture.
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 enhances the effectiveness of the filtration process by improving flow profiles, increasing membrane output, and affecting molecular-level changes in the liquid, leading to more predictable and reproducible results without modifying the device's basic construction.
Implementation Method 1
A slightly curved calming section, which impresses a laminar flow profile on the liquid
Implementation Method 2
an accelerating section having a greater curvature than that of the calming section, which increases the flow velocity of the liquid
Implementation Method 3
a pulsing section of even greater curvature, which diverts the liquid toward the tank axis, wherein turbulence is created
Implementation Method 4
By the rotation of the filter elements, shear forces are exerted on the filter elements during the filtration process, which leads to a mechanical cleaning of the filter surface
Implementation Method 5
The liquid is filtered through semipermeable filter elements such as membranes and discharged as permeate through a hollow shaft fluidically connected to the filter elements
Data Source
AI summary
A device for filtering liquids includes a tank, a tank inlet for introducing a liquid to be filtered into the tank, a tank outlet for a retentate, and at least one rotor rotatably drivable around a tank axis, the at least one rotor having a hollow shaft supported in an end wall and attached thereto a support device for filter elements arranged at a distance from the tank axis, the filter elements being fluidically connected to the hollow shaft for discharging a filtered permeate from the tank, wherein an inner lateral surface of the tank comprises at least one guide for diverting the liquid toward the filter elements. At least one of the at least one guide forms a receptacle for at least one conditioning device for adjusting process conditions.