Filtration Device With Flexible Chambers For Fouling-Free Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filtration technologies face limitations in achieving continuous, fouling-free filtration of a wide range of fluid volumes, particularly in small-scale operations, due to rigid designs and energy inefficiencies, which restrict scalability and membrane cleanliness.
Innovation Solution
A filtration device with a tubular membrane element and flexible volume chambers filled with gas, allowing the retentate to move relative to the membrane surface through linear vibration, maintaining membrane cleanliness and high flux with minimal energy consumption, and enabling scalability from small to large volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid filter plate assemblies are used for filtration, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to achieve continuous fouling-free filtration and scalability across different fluid volumes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flexible membrane element that can dynamically adapt to different filtration conditions and fluid volumes. The membrane's flexibility allows the system to maintain structural stability while adapting to various operating parameters, enabling continuous fouling-free filtration across different scales from small to large fluid volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables parameter changes by allowing the membrane to respond to varying pressure, flow rate, and fluid volume conditions. This adaptability in operational parameters maintains filtration effectiveness across different scales while preserving structural integrity through the membrane's inherent flexibility.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If high cross-flow velocity is applied to prevent fouling, then membrane cleanliness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mechanical vibration of the membrane element to prevent fouling instead of relying solely on high cross-flow velocity. The vibration creates disturbances that prevent solid deposition on the membrane surface, achieving membrane cleanliness with lower energy consumption compared to high-velocity cross-flow filtration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system substitutes the mechanical approach of high-velocity cross-flow with a vibration-based mechanism. This replacement reduces the energy required to maintain membrane cleanliness while effectively preventing fouling through the vibration-induced disturbances on the membrane surface.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If membrane vibration is used to prevent fouling, then membrane cleanliness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the flexible membrane element itself as the vibration source, eliminating the need for separate complex vibration generation mechanisms. The membrane's inherent flexibility allows it to vibrate in response to pressure differentials and flow conditions, achieving fouling prevention through a simple, elegant design that avoids additional mechanical complexity.
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 device achieves continuous, fouling-free filtration with high flux and scalability, maintaining membrane cleanliness through relative movement of retentate and fluid, and efficient energy use, suitable for both small and large fluid volumes.
Implementation Method 1
The inertia of the retentate will counter the move of the module creating a washing turbulence on the membrane surface by the retentate
Implementation Method 2
a vibration motor being adapted to provide a mostly linear vibrating motion to the device along the length of the tubular element
Implementation Method 3
said tubular membrane element comprises a semipermeable membrane, an inlet for feed fluid, an outlet for permeate and an outlet for retentate
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a filtration device being adapted for continuous vibration and pressure driven filtration. Said filtration device comprises a filter module which comprises at least one tubular semipermeable membrane element, said module further comprises a drain area for permeate, an outlet for permeate, an inlet for feed fluid and an outlet for retentate; said module further comprises one or more flexible volume chambers being filled with gas and in close contact with but separated from the internal module of the filter module through a flexible wall; said filtration device comprises a vibration motor being adapted to provide a vibrating motion to the device.