Hollow Fiber Membrane Module With Protective Mesh
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hollow fiber membrane modules face challenges in increasing filtration flux without risking breakage, particularly due to vibration caused by water flow, especially when using outside-in configurations where through-holes for adhesion fixing lead to membrane instability.
Innovation Solution
A hollow fiber membrane module design with a tubular housing and adhesion fixing portions, featuring through-holes outside the outer perimeter of the membrane bundle, and a protective member to reduce membrane vibration and stress, allowing for a higher filtration flux while minimizing breakage risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the filtration flux is increased by using an outside-in hollow fiber membrane module, then the productivity is improved, but the hollow fiber membranes vibrate and break due to water flow through through-holes
Solution Approach 1:
A protective member (mesh or screen structure) is introduced as an intermediary between the water flow and the hollow fiber membranes. This protective member distributes the water flow uniformly across the membrane surface and prevents direct impact of high-velocity water through through-holes, thereby eliminating membrane vibration and breakage while maintaining high filtration flux
Solution Approach 2:
The protective member is strategically positioned only in regions where water flow causes membrane vibration, such as near through-holes and at the inlet end of the membrane module. This localized protection approach addresses the specific problem areas without requiring complete coverage, maintaining structural integrity while enabling high filtration flux operation
2Productivity
If hollow fiber membranes are made with smaller diameters to increase the number of membranes in the housing, then the productivity is improved, but the breaking strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective member acts as a flexible support structure that provides external reinforcement to thin-walled hollow fiber membranes. This allows the use of membranes with smaller diameters and thinner walls (for higher productivity) while the protective member compensates for the reduced breaking strength by providing mechanical support during high-velocity water flow operation
3Productivity
If the thickness of hollow fiber membranes is reduced to decrease filtration resistance, then the productivity is improved, but the breaking strength drops
Solution Approach 1:
The protective member provides structural support that enables the use of ultra-thin hollow fiber membranes with minimal wall thickness. The protective member bears the mechanical stress from high-velocity water flow, allowing the membrane itself to be optimized purely for filtration performance with extremely thin walls, thereby maximizing productivity while maintaining sufficient breaking strength
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 design effectively increases filtration flux while preventing breakage of hollow fiber membranes by distributing the water flow pressure and providing structural support through strategically placed through-holes and a protective mesh, enhancing the module's operational stability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first adhesion fixing portion that adhesively fixes the hollow fiber membranes together and the hollow fiber membrane bundle and an inner wall of the housing together at the open end of the hollow fiber membranes, and a second adhesion fixing portion that adhesively fixes the hollow fiber membranes together and the hollow fiber membrane bundle and the inner wall of the housing together at the closed end of the hollow fiber membranes
Implementation Method 2
ultrafiltration methods are widely used to produce water to be used by pharmaceutical companies. The ultrafiltration method purifies water by a reverse osmosis membrane, an ultrafiltration membrane that can remove substance having a molecular weight of 6000 or more
Implementation Method 3
at least one of the second adhesion fixing portion and the housing around the second adhesion fixing portion has at least one through-hole for introducing liquid fed from the outside of the second adhesion fixing portion to a space between the first adhesion fixing portion and the second adhesion fixing portion in the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A first adhesion-fixing-portion adhesively fixing hollow fiber membranes together and a hollow fiber membrane bundle and an inner wall of a housing together at an open end of the hollow fiber membranes, and a second adhesion-fixing-portion adhesively fixing the hollow fiber membranes together and the hollow fiber membrane bundle and the inner wall of the housing together at a closed end of the hollow fiber membranes are included. At least one of the second adhesion-fixing-portion and the housing around the second adhesion-fixing-portion has at least one through-hole for introducing liquid fed from the outside of the second adhesion-fixing-portion to a space in the housing. The total area of an opening or openings of at least one through-hole provided outside an outer perimeter of the hollow fiber membrane bundle is 80% or more of the total area of an opening or openings of all of the at least one through-hole.