Filtration Element Outer Permeate Tube Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional filtration systems with central permeate collecting tubes face issues with uneven pressure distribution, reduced filtering effect, and ineffective backwashing due to trapped air pockets and fouling layer buildup, leading to decreased performance and increased contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
The filtration system arranges the permeate collecting tube in an outer part of the filtration element, ensuring even pressure distribution across the membrane during filtration and backwashing modes, and incorporates a multi-bore membrane with a perforated tube for enhanced stability and flow distribution, allowing for improved ventilation and fouling removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a central permeate collecting tube is used in conventional filtration systems, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the pressure distribution becomes uneven and the filtering effect is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The single central permeate collecting tube is segmented into multiple outer permeate collecting tubes distributed around the periphery of the membrane element. This segmentation allows permeate to be collected from multiple locations simultaneously, creating even pressure distribution across the membrane surface and preventing the localized pressure buildup that occurs with a central collection point.
Solution Approach 2:
The permeate collection approach transitions from a single-point (central axis) collection to a distributed multi-point collection around the periphery. This dimensional redistribution of collection points transforms the pressure distribution pattern from radial concentration to uniform circumferential distribution, improving filtration effectiveness.
2Device complexity
If a central permeate collecting tube is used, then the device complexity is low, but air pockets become trapped and backwashing becomes ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The permeate collection function is extracted from the central axis location and relocated to multiple outer positions. This extraction eliminates the dead zone at the center where air pockets would otherwise be trapped, allowing air to be vented through the outer tubes during operation and making the backwashing process effective by preventing air entrapment.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional filtration systems are used, then the initial setup is simple, but fouling layer buildup occurs and performance decreases over time
Solution Approach 1:
The outer permeate collecting tubes are positioned to create even pressure distribution from the start of filtration operation. This preliminary configuration prevents fouling layer buildup by maintaining uniform flux across the membrane surface, avoiding the localized high-flux conditions that occur with central tube systems and lead to premature fouling and performance degradation.
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 configuration enhances the filtering effect by maintaining even flow and pressure across the membrane, increases the active area, reduces fouling risks, and improves backwashing efficiency, resulting in a more stable and effective filtration process.
Implementation Method 1
Common membranes for filtration are either flat shaped membranes or tubular membranes with one or more capillaries. Typically, such membranes are semi-permeable and mechanically separate permeate or filtrate and the retentate from raw water.
Implementation Method 2
the at least one permeate collecting tube is arranged in an outer part of the filtration element... ensuring even pressure distribution across the membrane during filtration and backwashing modes
Implementation Method 3
Membrane-based processes, such as microfiltration or ultrafiltration, remove turbidity caused by suspended solids and microorganisms such as pathogens like bacteria, germs and viruses from raw water.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a element (12) for filtering fluids comprising an element housing (14), wherein at least one membrane arrangement (22) and at least one permeate collecting tube (18, 19) are arranged within the element housing (14) and wherein the at least one permeate collecting tube (18, 19) is arranged in an outer part (44) of the filtration element (12). The invention further relates to a filtration module (10) and a filtration system (11) comprising such a filtration element (12) as well as uses of such a filtration element (12).