Membrane Bag Module Rotationally Secure Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing membrane modules, particularly GS pocket modules, face issues with permeate caps loosening during operation, causing efficiency losses and making it difficult to replace membrane bags without a press, leading to potential unusability.
Innovation Solution
The membrane module features a tongue and groove connection between the permeate tube and cover discs, along with a stepped separating disc and spring connections, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without a press, enabling simple replacement of membrane pockets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If permeate caps are tightened to fix the permeate tube and end caps together, then the connection strength is improved, but the cover disks and membrane stack twist due to rotation, leading to efficiency losses or membrane unusability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric key grooves and corresponding keys on the permeate tube and cover disks. This asymmetric feature prevents rotational movement when tightening the permeate caps, as the keys engage with the grooves to lock the orientation. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining connection strength while preventing the twisting that would compromise membrane reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The key groove structure acts as an intermediary element between the permeate tube and cover disks. This intermediary feature transmits the tightening force without allowing rotation, mediating between the need for strong connection and the need to prevent twisting. The key grooves distribute the mechanical constraint in a way that achieves both objectives.
2Manufacturing precision
If a press is used to press membrane pockets and deflection disks together to predetermined size, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of replacement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the membrane module into replaceable components with standardized interfaces. The key grooves and keys create modular connection points that allow membrane pockets to be assembled and disassembled without requiring a press. This segmentation enables precise positioning through the keyed interfaces while eliminating the need for complex pressing equipment, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyed connection system enables self-aligning and self-securing of membrane components during assembly. The keys automatically engage with the grooves to establish the predetermined positioning without external pressing equipment. This self-service mechanism achieves manufacturing precision while eliminating the need for complex pressing devices, and also enables easy replacement without specialized tools.
3Reliability
If membrane pockets are stacked alternately with sealing rings, then the separation between retentate and permeate is improved, but the ease of operation for replacement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary positioning features (key grooves and keys) that pre-establish the correct orientation and positioning of membrane pockets during assembly. This preliminary action ensures proper separation efficiency is achieved automatically during stacking, while also enabling easy identification and removal during replacement. The pre-configured keyed interfaces allow operators to quickly identify and replace membrane pockets without complex procedures, resolving the contradiction between separation reliability and ease of operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to membrane modules, in particular membrane pocket modules, comprising stacks of membrane pockets arranged in a housing with at least one feed inlet, at least one retentate outlet, and at least one permeate outlet. The invention also relates to the use of the membrane module according to the invention for separating liquid and/or gas mixtures. The membrane module of the known type, also referred to as a GS module, comprises a housing that is pressure-tightly sealed at two end faces by means of end caps to form a container interior. The end caps comprise at least one feed inlet, at least one retentate outlet, and one permeate outlet, wherein at least one stack of membrane pockets is arranged in the container interior, comprising a plurality of membrane pockets arranged in series and separated from one another by seals, which are mounted on a permeate tube.The permeate tube projects beyond the at least one permeate outlet of the end plates. The membrane module according to the invention is characterized in that the permeate tube and the permeate outlet of the end plates are mutually aligned via a tongue-and-groove connection.