Hollow Fiber Membrane Module with Vertical Diffuser Tubes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filtration devices face inefficiencies in removing suspension components from membrane surfaces and between membranes, leading to reduced filtration performance and increased device size due to inadequate air diffusion, particularly in densely packed hollow fiber membrane modules.
Innovation Solution
A filtration device with a membrane module featuring bundled hollow fiber membranes and diffuser tubes inserted co-directionally across the membrane axes, allowing for efficient air bubbling and vibration of membranes, enabling effective removal of deposits while allowing high-density membrane arrangement and downsizing of the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air diffusion is performed all over the hollow fiber membranes from diffuser openings on a diffuser plate, then air diffusion coverage is improved, but the device size increases due to required spacing between membrane modules
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser is divided into multiple diffuser plates arranged in the vertical direction, each with diffuser openings at different positions. This segmentation allows air to be diffused at multiple levels throughout the membrane bundle, improving air diffusion coverage without requiring horizontal spacing between modules, thus maintaining compact device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from horizontal air diffusion (single diffuser plate) to vertical air diffusion by arranging multiple diffuser plates at different heights. This dimensional change allows air to reach membranes throughout the bundle volume, improving coverage while enabling high-density membrane arrangement in a compact vertical configuration.
2Productivity
If hollow fiber membranes are disposed in high density, then filtration performance is improved, but air diffusion to between membranes becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple diffuser plates are positioned at different vertical levels within the membrane bundle, creating segmented air diffusion zones. This allows air to penetrate between membranes at multiple heights, ensuring thorough cleaning of densely packed membranes that would be inaccessible from a single diffuser location.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces vertical distribution of diffuser openings throughout the membrane bundle height, enabling air to reach between densely packed membranes in the radial direction while maintaining high membrane density. This multi-level approach overcomes the limitation of single-plane air diffusion.
3Ease of manufacture
If only one end (lower end) of hollow fiber membranes is open, then membrane fixing is simplified, but air diffusion to inner surface of membranes is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple diffuser plates are positioned at different vertical levels, with diffuser openings oriented to blow air toward the membrane bundle center. This segmented vertical arrangement ensures air reaches the inner surfaces of membranes at multiple heights, improving cleaning effectiveness while maintaining the simple one-end-open configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of opening both ends of membranes or reversing the diffuser orientation, the invention inverts the approach by using multiple vertically distributed diffuser plates that blow air inward toward the bundle center, effectively reaching inner membrane surfaces while keeping the one-end-open simplicity.
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 solution enhances cleaning efficiency and filtration performance by ensuring thorough air diffusion to all membrane surfaces and between membranes, allowing for a higher density of hollow fiber membranes and a more compact filtration device design.
Implementation Method 1
introduces air from the lower part of the membrane module in a state where an immersion tank is filled with a liquid to be treated and separates deposits on the surface of membranes by means of air bubbling which gives vibration to hollow fiber membranes with provided bubbles
Implementation Method 2
separates deposits on the surface of membranes by means of air bubbling which gives vibration to hollow fiber membranes with provided bubbles
Implementation Method 3
performing solid-liquid separation by immersion type suction filtration or external pressure filtration by allowing a liquid containing suspension components to permeate a membrane module
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a compact filtration device capable of efficiently separate and remove suspension components adhered to membrane surfaces or to between membranes by allowing bubbling action by means of bubbles from an air diffusion tube to effectively affect the entire hollow fiber membrane, and capable of disposing inside hollow fiber membranes in high density. In a filtration device 11 for performing solid-liquid separation by allowing a liquid to be treated 12 containing suspension components to permeate a membrane module 14 for immersion type suction filtration or external pressure filtration, said membrane module 14 is formed from bundled membranes 16 in which a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes 15 with their axes being in the vertical direction are contacted closely with each other at the upper and lower ends thereof, and a diffuser tube 21 is threaded into between said multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes 15 for insertion at the lower part of the bundled membrane 16.