Integral Bioreactor in Spiral Wound Filtration Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spiral wound membrane assemblies in fluid separations often deteriorate due to fouling, particularly biofouling, which is managed by pre-treating feed water with bioreactors located upstream, but this requires additional space and pressurization for the bioreactor.
Innovation Solution
An integral bioreactor is placed within a common pressure vessel with spiral wound membrane modules, where feed liquid flows through the bioreactor before the membranes, reducing bio-nutrients and minimizing biofouling without the need for separate bioreactor pressurization and space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If feed water is pre-treated with a bioreactor located upstream from the spiral wound assembly, then biofouling is reduced, but additional space and pressurization equipment are required
Solution Approach 1:
The bioreactor is integrated within the pressure vessel of the spiral wound filtration assembly, merging two previously separate systems (bioreactor and filtration assembly) into a single unified device. This eliminates the need for separate pressurization equipment and reduces system complexity while maintaining the biofouling reduction function
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure vessel is designed to serve dual functions: it contains the spiral wound membrane modules for filtration and simultaneously houses the bioreactor for feed water pre-treatment. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components and simplifies the system architecture
2Object-affected harmful factors
If feed water is pre-treated with a bioreactor located upstream, then biofouling is reduced, but additional pressurization equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The bioreactor is positioned inside the pressure vessel, allowing the single pressurization system to serve both the bioreactor and spiral wound modules simultaneously. This eliminates the need for additional pressurization equipment and reduces energy consumption compared to having separate pressurization systems for upstream bioreactor treatment
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate upstream bioreactor is used, then biofouling is reduced, but additional space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The bioreactor is nested within the pressure vessel, utilizing the internal space of the existing filtration assembly. This nested configuration reduces the overall system volume by eliminating the need for a separate upstream bioreactor and its associated housing
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
This configuration effectively reduces biofouling by consuming bio-nutrients within the bioreactor, conserving space and eliminating the need for additional pressurization, while maintaining high flow rates and minimizing resistance to fluid flow.
Implementation Method 1
feed liquid flows through the bioreactor before the membranes, reducing bio-nutrients
Implementation Method 2
at least one spiral wound membrane module comprising at least one membrane envelop wound around a permeate tube which forms a permeate pathway
Data Source
AI summary
A spiral wound filtration assembly including:i) a pressure vessel comprising a feed port, concentrate port and permeate port;ii) at least one spiral wound membrane module comprising at least one membrane envelop wound around a permeate tube which forms a permeate pathway to the permeate port; andiii) a bioreactor having a cylindrical outer periphery extending along an axis (Y) from a first end to a second end, an inlet located near the first end, and an outlet located near the second end;wherein the spiral wound membrane module and bioreactor are serially arranged within the pressure vessel.