Hollow Fibre Membrane Module with Fixed Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hollow fibre membrane modules face issues with membrane knotting, disorder, damage, inefficient water stream distribution, and low filtration efficiency due to direct fixing methods, which worsen with larger diameters and lengths, leading to membrane breakage and suboptimal water collection.
Innovation Solution
A hollow fibre membrane module with a fixed structure incorporating a central tube, separate fixed rings, and radial rib plates, where the hollow fibre membranes, central tube, and bearing shell are integrated with bonding material, and small holes on the central tube for efficient water distribution and collection, ensuring ordered membrane arrangement and high filtration efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If hollow fibre membranes are directly amounted into a bearing shell and fixed, then the structure is simple, but the fibre membranes become knotted and disordered
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the membrane bundle into multiple sub-bundles using separators. Each sub-bundle is independently arranged and fixed, preventing the entire bundle from becoming knotted and disordered. The separators create distinct channels that maintain membrane arrangement stability while keeping the overall structure manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a net-like protection layer as an intermediary between the hollow fibre membranes and the bearing shell. This protection layer prevents direct contact and knotting of membranes with the shell wall, maintaining membrane order without requiring complex fixing structures.
2Reliability
If a net-like protection layer is added on the bundle, then membrane protection is improved, but bundle damage occurs and water stream distribution becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The net-like protection layer is segmented into multiple sections corresponding to different sub-bundles. Each section is selectively applied to provide protection only where needed, avoiding unnecessary coverage that would impede water flow and reduce filtration efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection layer is designed with varying properties in different regions - denser in areas requiring more protection and more open in areas requiring better water flow. This local differentiation maintains membrane reliability while preserving filtration efficiency.
3Reliability
If separators are used to separate membranes into several bundles, then membrane protection is improved, but water stream distribution and produced water collection become inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The separators are designed with optimized geometry and spacing to facilitate efficient water flow distribution. The hydraulic design ensures that water streams are evenly distributed across all sub-bundles while produced water is efficiently collected, maintaining high productivity despite the segmented structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The separators serve multiple functions simultaneously: they protect membranes from damage, distribute water streams efficiently, and collect produced water. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the protective structure also responsible for fluid distribution and collection.
4Productivity
If the diameter and length of the membrane module are increased, then filtration capacity is improved, but membrane knotting and disorder become more obvious
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane module is divided into multiple sub-bundles using separators, allowing each sub-bundle to be independently arranged and fixed. This segmentation prevents knotting and disorder even in large-diameter, long modules, maintaining membrane arrangement order while enabling increased filtration capacity through modular expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a spatial dimension by arranging sub-bundles in a structured three-dimensional configuration within the bearing shell. The separators create a spatial framework that maintains order in larger modules, allowing increased diameter and length without proportionally increasing membrane disorder.
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 provides improved membrane availability, efficient water stream distribution, and higher filtration efficiency by reducing membrane resistance and ensuring unobstructed flow of produced and concentrated water, maintaining operational efficiency even with larger module sizes.
Implementation Method 1
the hollow fibre membranes, central tube and the bearing shell are integrated with bonding material
Implementation Method 2
there are small holes drilled on the sidewall of the central tube... efficient water distribution
Implementation Method 3
hollow fibre membranes have been widely used in the fields such as water treatment, biological separation and air filtration
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A hollow fibre membrane module with a fixed structure comprises: a bearing shell (7), an inlet (8), a concentrated water outlet (10), a produced water outlet (9), a central tube (1) and hollow fibre membranes (6), in which the hollow fibre membranes (6), the central tube (1) and the bearing shell (7) are fixed together, the inlet (8) is located at one end of the hollow fibre membranes (6), the concentrated water outlet (10) is located at the other end of the hollow fibre membranes (6), the produced water outlet(s) (9) is(are) located at one end or both ends of the central tube (1), and there are small holes drilled on the side wall of the central tube (1). The module also comprises at least one separate fixed ring(s)(2) for fixing the hollow fibre membranes (6), with the separate fixed ring(s)(2) fixed on the central tube (1) and the hollow fibre membranes (6) arranged in parallel through the separate fixed ring(s)(2).