Membrane Defect Inspection via Vibration Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing membrane damage detection methods face limitations such as installation restrictions, reduced detection accuracy due to noise, and difficulty in automating the detection process, particularly in water purification systems.
Innovation Solution
A membrane defect inspection method that involves injecting gas into spaces opposite to primary or secondary spaces within membrane modules, using a vibration sensor attached to a protrusion on the gas detection piping to detect vibrations caused by gas leaks, allowing for automated detection of membrane damage or seal defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If an ultrasonic flowmeter is used to detect bubbles, then detection can be automated, but installation is restricted to straight pipes of predetermined length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the ultrasonic flowmeter (acoustic field device) with a vibration sensor that detects mechanical vibrations directly. The vibration sensor is attached to the outer circumference of the treated water piping, allowing it to detect bubble-induced vibrations without requiring the pipe to be straight or of predetermined length. This substitution enables automation while removing installation restrictions.
2Measurement precision
If vibration detection sensors are attached to each membrane module, then detection coverage is improved, but the firm structure weakens vibration signals and reduces detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vibration detection function from individual membrane modules and relocates it to the treated water piping system. Instead of attaching sensors to each module (where firm structures weaken signals), the vibration sensor is attached to the piping that carries treated water. This allows detection of bubble-induced vibrations in a location where the structure is more suitable for vibration transmission, improving signal strength and detection accuracy while reducing the impact of external noise.
3Ease of manufacture
If visual inspection of bubbles through transparent pipes is used, then installation is simple, but automatic detection is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual inspection (optical method) with vibration detection (mechanical method). Instead of requiring transparent pipes for visual observation, the system uses a vibration sensor attached to the treated water piping to detect bubbles automatically through their mechanical vibrations. This substitution maintains installation simplicity while enabling full automation of the detection process.
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 method enables efficient and accurate automation of membrane damage detection, reducing noise interference and installation restrictions, while allowing for flexible sensor placement and improved detection accuracy through vibration sensing and gas accumulation visualization.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration sensor is brought into contact with a protrusion, which protrudes outward in a radial direction from an outer surface of the gas detection piping, to detect vibration of the gas detection piping
Data Source
AI summary
A membrane defect inspection method that can detect damage in a filtrate membrane and can detect presence or absence of damage or a seal defect in a membrane module; and the method is for a membrane module set including multiple membrane modules connected under gas detection piping communicating with primary spaces of the multiple membrane modules where raw water is supplied or secondary spaces in multiple membrane modules where treated water is extracted after the raw water is filtrated by membranes. The method includes a gas injection process where gas is injected into spaces opposite the primary or secondary spaces communicating with gas detection piping in the multiple membrane modules while the gas detection piping is filled with water, and a vibration detection process where a vibration sensor is brought into contact with a protrusion protruding outward from the gas detection piping to detect vibration of the gas detection piping.