Spiral Membrane End Member Shield Plate Flow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Suspended solids in feed liquids tend to deposit more frequently in the central region of spiral separation membrane elements, leading to concentration issues, which can be exacerbated by swirling flow designs intended to distribute them peripherally.

Innovation Solution

The end member design incorporates a shield plate between connecting portions, creating a radially outward flow that directs suspended solids to the peripheral region, preventing their concentration in a specific area and maintaining constant pressure loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a swirling flow is formed by twisted shape ribs in the end member, then suspended solids can be directed to the peripheral region, but the deposition of suspended solids may still be concentrated in specific regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeposition of suspended solidsVSAvoiduniformity of solid distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The end member is segmented into multiple functional components: an inner annular portion, an outer annular portion, multiple ribs connecting them, and multiple shield plates disposed between the ribs. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function in directing flow and distributing suspended solids uniformly across the peripheral region, preventing concentration in specific areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shield plates act as intermediary elements disposed between the ribs to further refine and distribute the flow. These shield plates modify the flow patterns generated by the ribs, ensuring that suspended solids are evenly distributed across the peripheral region rather than concentrating in specific areas, thus enhancing the reliability of uniform distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the end member structure is simplified without shield plates, then manufacturing is easier, but suspended solids deposit more frequently in the central region

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of end member manufacturingVSAvoiddeposition of suspended solids in central region

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shield plates serve as intermediary components that, while adding some structural complexity, effectively prevent suspended solids from depositing in the central region by redirecting flow toward the peripheral region. The benefit of preventing harmful deposition outweighs the moderate increase in manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The shield plates can be manufactured using standard molding or fabrication processes, and multiple identical shield plates are used throughout the end member structure. This approach allows for efficient mass production and simplifies the manufacturing process compared to creating a completely custom complex structure, as each shield plate is a standardized component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Object-affected harmful factors

If shield plates are added to the end member, then uniform flow is achieved and suspended solids are directed peripherally, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of flow and solid distributionVSAvoidcomplexity of end member structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The end member is divided into distinct segments (inner annular portion, outer annular portion, ribs, and shield plates) that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. This segmentation reduces the overall complexity by allowing standardized production of individual components and simplifies the assembly process, making the increased functional complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shield plates are designed with specific geometric parameters (position, size, shape) that can be optimized to achieve uniform flow and peripheral distribution of suspended solids. By carefully selecting these parameters, the design achieves the desired functional outcome while minimizing unnecessary structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 prevents the deposition of suspended solids in a specific region, ensuring uniform flow and reducing the risk of clogging, while maintaining efficient operation of the spiral separation membrane element.

Implementation Method 1

a radially outwardly spreading flow is formed by the shield plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentUS9914077B2End member for spiral separation membrane element, spiral separation membrane element and separation membrane module

Publication Date: 2018.03.13 NITTO DENKO CORP

AI summary

An end member (3A) for a spiral separation membrane element includes: an inner annular portion (31); an outer annular portion (32) surrounding the inner annular portion (31) at a distance from the inner annular portion (31); a plurality of connecting portions (33) connecting the inner annular portion (31) and the outer annular portion (32); and a shield plate (34) disposed between at least one pair of the connecting portions (33) and forming an opening (41) between the shield plate (34) and the outer annular portion (32). According to this configuration, a radially outwardly spreading flow is formed by the shield plate (34), and therefore suspended solids in a feed liquid can be effectively directed to the peripheral region.