Fluid Treatment Assembly Flow Restrictor Back Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid treatment systems face challenges in maximizing the differential pressure across permeable media to enhance permeate production and retentate concentration, often requiring complex valving and external control systems.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a flow restrictor in the retentate passage of fluid treatment assemblies to increase back pressure, which enhances the differential pressure across the permeable media, allowing for increased permeate production and retentate concentration without the need for extensive external valving.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If external valving and control systems are used to maximize differential pressure, then permeate production and retentate concentration are enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepermeate productionVSAvoidvalving and control systems

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow restrictor is integrated directly into the retentate passage of the fluid treatment assembly, enabling the system to self-regulate back pressure without requiring external valving or control systems. The restrictor passively creates flow resistance through its geometric configuration, allowing the differential pressure across the permeable medium to be maximized automatically as feed fluid flows through the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If external valving and control systems are used to maximize differential pressure, then retentate concentration is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretentate concentrationVSAvoidvalving and control systems

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated flow restrictor in the retentate passage automatically maintains optimal back pressure to maximize retentate concentration. As retentate flows through the restrictor, the passive flow resistance creates the necessary pressure differential across the permeable medium, concentrating retentate without requiring external control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If flow restrictor is integrated into retentate passage, then system installation and operation are simplified, but back pressure in retentate passage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem installation and operationVSAvoidback pressure in retentate passage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The flow restrictor converts the potentially harmful effect of increased back pressure into a beneficial feature. The restricted flow path in the retentate passage creates flow resistance that generates back pressure, which is then utilized to maximize the differential pressure across the permeable medium. This differential pressure enhancement directly improves permeate production and retentate concentration, transforming what could be seen as a pressure problem into a performance advantage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 simplifies system installation and operation by reducing the need for external valving, while increasing permeate volume and concentrating retentate, making it easier to produce desired products and maintain consistent concentration factors.

Implementation Method 1

a flow restrictor in the retentate passage to increase the back pressure in the retentate passage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow restriction: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

The fluid pressure forces the feed fluid along the feed passage to the permeable fluid treatment medium of each fluid treatment unit and then tangentially along the feed side of the permeable medium. The fluid pressure on the feed side is higher than the fluid pressure on the permeate side of the permeable medium. This difference in pressure, or differential pressure, forces a portion of the feed fluid from the feed side through the permeable medium to the permeate side as permeate or filtrate.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 3

a feed passage that directs the feed fluid from the feed fluid inlet to and tangentially along the feed side of the permeable fluid treatment medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTangential flow filtration: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP2741836B1Fluid treatment assemblies comprising manifold, and methods for treating fluids

Publication Date: 2019.04.24 PALL CORP

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AI summary

A fluid treatment assembly comprises one or more cross flow fluid treatment units positioned between opposite end pieces. The fluid treatment unit includes a permeable fluid treatment medium having a feed side and a permeate side. The fluid treatment assembly further comprises a feed inlet and feed passage, a permeate outlet and a permeate passage, and a retentate outlet and a retentate passage. The feed passage directs feed fluid from the feed inlet to the permeable medium and tangentially along the feed side of the permeable medium. The permeate passage directs permeate from the permeate side of the permeable medium to the permeate outlet. The retentate passage directs retentate from the feed side of the permeable medium to the retentate outlet. A flow restrictor is positioned in the retentate passage.