Hollow Fiber Membrane Module Clogging Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The accumulation of suspended solids in hollow-fiber membrane modules leads to clogging and reduced cleaning effectiveness, with existing methods risking membrane breakage when increasing flow rates or linear velocities for cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A hollow-fiber membrane module with a breaking strength of 25 MPa or more, a filling ratio of 25-38% in the cylindrical case, and a membrane area per unit volume of 800-2300 m²/m³, utilizing a porous hollow-fiber membrane with a fluororesin-based polymer like polyvinylidene fluoride, and a production method involving thermally induced phase separation and stretching to maintain membrane integrity and prevent clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the flow rate of air or washing water is increased to improve cleaning effect, then the cleaning power is enhanced, but the hollow-fiber membrane may be broken
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the membrane material by using fluororesin-based polymers with specific breaking strength specifications (25 MPa or more). This parameter change enables the membrane to withstand high cleaning flow rates without breaking, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning power and membrane integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material design by selecting fluororesin-based polymers that combine high breaking strength with appropriate pore structure. This composite approach allows the membrane to simultaneously achieve durability against high-velocity cleaning flows and effective separation performance
2Productivity
If conventional membranes are used to process high-concentration suspended solids, then treatment capacity is achieved, but clogging occurs and cleaning effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface properties and pore structure parameters of the membrane by using fluororesin-based polymers with specific hydrophobicity and pore size distributions. These parameter changes reduce suspended solids accumulation and improve resistance to clogging, maintaining stable performance during high-concentration treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of suspended solids accumulation into a benefit by designing a membrane surface that promotes controlled deposition patterns. The fluororesin material properties allow suspended solids to form a permeable cake layer that does not severely block pores, actually extending operational life while maintaining treatment capacity
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
Enhances cleaning power, prevents membrane breakage, and maintains membrane performance over time by reducing clogging and accumulation of suspended solids, ensuring stable operation with high-concentration suspended solids.
Implementation Method 1
a hollow-fiber membrane production method involving thermally induced phase separation and stretching
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a hollow fiber membrane module that can effectively resolve the accumulation of suspended solids within the membrane module, lower running costs, and also operate stably. The present invention relates to a hollow fiber membrane molecule provided with: a cylindrical case having a first end and a second end in the direction of height; a plurality of hollow fiber membranes accommodated within the cylindrical case; and a first potting part accommodated within the cylindrical case and attaching the plurality of hollow fiber membranes together such that the end parts of the plurality of hollow membrane fibers at a first end side of the cylindrical case are open. The hollow fiber membranes are porous hollow fiber membranes having a breaking strength of 23 MPa, and the hollow membrane module has a membrane area per unit volume of 800 - 3700 m2/m3. The filling fraction for the hollow fiber membranes in a cross-section orthogonal to the direction of height of the cylindrical case is 25 - 38%.