Membrane Module Bundle Enclosure with Pulsed Aeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Membrane filtration systems with hollow-fiber membranes in submerged tanks face challenges with fouling and clogging due to suspended matter, leading to reduced filtration performance, and existing methods like cyclic aeration and pulsed air-lift systems have inefficiencies such as energy consumption issues and reduced scrubbing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A membrane filter module with a gasification device that generates periodic gaseous bubbles with a cross-sectional area matching the enclosure, ensuring the bubbles maintain contact along the entire length of the membrane bundle, combined with a bundle enclosure to retain liquid and bubbles, enhancing scouring efficiency while reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas aeration is increased to enhance membrane surface scouring, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements pulsed aeration where gas is introduced intermittently rather than continuously. The system uses a pulsed gas-lift pump device that receives gas from a pressurized source, accumulates it in a gas collection chamber, and discharges it in periodic pulses through the distribution chamber. This periodic action maintains effective membrane scouring while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous aeration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition of gas to liquid by introducing gas into a liquid seal within the pulsed gas-lift pump device. The gas accumulates and displaces the liquid seal, creating a two-phase gas/liquid pulse that is discharged through the distribution chamber. This phase transition mechanism enables efficient gas delivery and enhances bubble formation for membrane scouring.
2Use of energy by moving object
If cyclic aeration is used to reduce energy consumption, then operational cost is reduced, but system complexity increases due to valve arrangements and control schemes
Solution Approach 1:
The pulsed gas-lift pump device is self-regulating and does not require external valves or complex control schemes. The device automatically accumulates gas in the gas collection chamber until the gas volume is sufficient to displace the liquid seal, at which point the gas automatically breaks through and is discharged as a pulse. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex valve arrangements and control systems while maintaining cyclic operation benefits.
3Use of energy by moving object
If pulsed air-lift system is used to reduce energy consumption, then operational cost is reduced, but bubble deformation or shifting occurs reducing scrubbing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a distribution chamber as an intermediary component between the gas collection chamber and the membrane module. The distribution chamber receives the two-phase gas/liquid pulse from the gas-lift pump and distributes it evenly across the base of the membrane module. This intermediary structure ensures that bubbles are properly formed and distributed, preventing bubble deformation or shifting during ascent and maintaining effective scrubbing efficiency across the entire membrane surface.
4Reliability
If continuous gas aeration is applied to maintain membrane cleaning, then filtration performance is maintained, but suspended matter accumulates in the aeration system
Solution Approach 1:
The pulsed aeration system introduces gas intermittently rather than continuously, creating periodic flushing action that prevents suspended matter from accumulating in the aeration system components. The periodic pulses create sufficient liquid circulation and turbulence to keep suspended particles in motion and prevent them from settling and blocking nozzles or distribution piping, while still maintaining effective membrane surface scouring.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention refers to a membrane filter module configured to treat a liquid contained in a tank at an ambient pressure.