Membrane Filter With Distributed Gas Inlet for Clogging Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Membrane filters used in wastewater treatment face issues with clogging due to particle accumulation, unstable flow channels, and inadequate gas distribution, particularly in larger diameters, leading to reduced efficiency and increased energy requirements.
Innovation Solution
A membrane filter design featuring a downward open base element with a tubular shell and a membrane carrier connected by at least one anchor point, incorporating a circumferentially closed pipe to envelop the hollow fiber membranes, and a gas inlet that introduces gas and liquid together through a flow cavity, creating a mammoth pumping effect for enhanced flushing and reducing clogging propensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If gas is introduced through a central mouth piece from above the membrane carrier, then gas distribution is provided, but clogging occurs in the flow shadow of attachment locations and parallel connected small bore holes are blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The base element is divided into multiple flow cavities (first flow cavity, second flow cavity, third flow cavity) that are distributed around the membrane carrier instead of using a single central gas inlet. This segmentation allows gas to be introduced at multiple locations, eliminating flow shadows and preventing clogging in attachment location areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from vertical gas introduction (from above) to radial/distributed gas introduction (from the base element perimeter). Gas is introduced through flow cavities arranged circumferentially around the membrane carrier, changing the spatial dimension of gas distribution from a single point to multiple distributed points.
2Productivity
If parallel connected small bore holes are used for liquid flow through the base element, then flow paths are provided, but the flow channels become unstable and prone to blocking
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the problematic parallel connected small bore holes from the base element design. Instead of using multiple small holes that are prone to clogging, the design uses larger, more stable flow cavities that provide adequate flow paths without the instability of parallel small channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the flow channels by replacing small bore holes with larger flow cavities. This parameter change increases the cross-sectional area and stability of the flow paths, reducing their susceptibility to blocking while maintaining productivity.
3Reliability
If the membrane filter is flushed with two phase flow including gas and liquid, then high shear force turbulence removes coatings from membranes, but energy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by introducing gas through the base element flow cavities before the liquid flows over the membrane carrier. This pre-introduced gas creates initial turbulence and shear forces in the flow paths, preparing the flow to effectively clean membranes while reducing the additional energy needed during the flushing 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
The solution effectively reduces clogging, increases the diameter of membrane bundles that can be efficiently cleaned, and lowers energy requirements by utilizing a quasi-force flow system that maintains high shear forces for flushing, even under partial blockages, thereby improving the overall filtration efficiency and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
The so called mammoth pumping effect, this means the upward flow of the liquid through the membrane filter induced by the rising gas bubbles
Implementation Method 2
The shear force of the two phase flow including gas and liquid has a high level of turbulence which removes coatings from the membranes
Implementation Method 3
utilizing a quasi-force flow system that maintains high shear forces for flushing, even under partial blockages
Data Source
AI summary
A membrane filter for filtering a liquid to be filtered, having a downwardly open base element through which flow can pass and which has a tubular shell and precisely one membrane carrier arranged therein, wherein the membrane carrier is connected to the shell by way of at least one anchoring point, having hollow fiber-type membranes fastened at the top in the membrane carrier, having a circumferentially closed pipe which, adjoining the top of the shell of the base element, surrounds the hollow fiber-type membranes, having a gas inlet into the base element, having at least one permeate collecting chamber, having at least one permeate outlet, and having at least one downwardly open flow chamber between the shell and the membrane carrier, which flow chamber has an outlet at the top, wherein the at least one flow chamber, in every horizontal section, adjoins both the shell and the membrane carrier.