Hollow Fiber Membrane Cleanliness Evaluation via Particle Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for evaluating the cleanliness of hollow fiber membrane devices before installation in ultrapure water production systems are inadequate, as they either fail to assess the membrane's cleanliness or contaminate the device, making it unsuitable for pre-installation evaluation.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of a first filter membrane with a pore diameter of 30 nanometers to capture and analyze fine particles in permeating ultrapure water, allowing for the determination of the membrane's cleanliness by analyzing the number and properties of captured particles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a filter membrane device is used to capture fine particles in sample water for cleanliness evaluation, then fine particles can be captured and analyzed, but the filter membrane device itself becomes contaminated with fine particles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleanliness evaluation accuracyVSAvoidmembrane contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the evaluation process into two independent parts: a test membrane device for capturing particles and an analysis membrane device for observing particles. This segmentation allows the test membrane to be discarded after use, preventing contamination of the analysis membrane while maintaining evaluation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary analysis membrane device that receives particles from the test membrane device through a transfer mechanism. This intermediary approach allows particle analysis without direct contact between the test membrane and the observation system, preventing contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If fine metal particles are added to sample liquid for detecting particle removing performance, then particle removal capability can be evaluated, but the filter membrane device is contaminated with fine metal particles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle removal performance detectionVSAvoidmembrane contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The test membrane device is designed as a disposable component that is used once to capture particles and then discarded. This eliminates the need to clean or reuse the test membrane, preventing contamination while maintaining evaluation accuracy. The analysis membrane is protected from contamination by receiving particles through a controlled transfer process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If the hollow fiber membrane device is washed in advance to meet strict water quality requirements, then productivity increases, but the level of cleanliness must be confirmed after washing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveultrapure water production speedVSAvoidcleanliness level confirmation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical inspection methods with optical detection using a scanning electron microscope to observe fine particles on the membrane surface. This substitution enables precise, non-contact measurement of cleanliness levels, providing accurate evaluation without physical contamination or damage to the membrane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables effective evaluation of the hollow fiber membrane device's cleanliness before installation, ensuring it meets predetermined standards and reducing contamination risks, thereby ensuring the quality of ultrapure water production.

Implementation Method 1

capturing fine particles in permeating water by means of a first filter membrane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11351507B2Method of evaluating level of cleanliness of hollow fiber membrane device, method of washing hollow fiber membrane device, and washing device for hollow fiber membrane device

Publication Date: 2022.06.07 ORGANO CORP

AI summary

The level of cleanliness of a hollow fiber membrane device is evaluated before it is installed in an ultrapure water production system. A method of evaluating the level of cleanliness of the hollow fiber membrane device includes capturing fine particles in permeating water by means of a first filter membrane, wherein the permeating water is ultrapure water that permeates through the hollow fiber membrane device before the hollow fiber membrane device is installed in an ultrapure water production system; and analyzing the fine particles that are captured by the filter membrane.