Membrane Filter Cleaning via Sodium Peroxydisulphate Oxidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Membrane filters used in food and beverage production, such as those for beer and fruit juices, experience reduced permeability and blockage due to adsorption or absorption of organic compounds, requiring inefficient back-flushing and leaving residual contaminants, which are difficult to remove completely.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a solution of sodium peroxydisulphate to oxidize and solubilize contaminants on the membrane surfaces, effectively cleaning the filters within a short time by generating radicals that break down polysaccharides, proteins, and polyphenols, maintaining membrane stability even at high pH and temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If back-flushing is used to clean membranes, then mechanical removal of contaminants is achieved, but the process is complicated and only temporary, with flux decreasing after each step
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical back-flushing system with a chemical oxidation system using peracetic acid. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical reversal operations and provides a more reliable cleaning mechanism that addresses both temporary and persistent contaminants through chemical degradation rather than physical removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs peracetic acid, a strong oxidant, to accelerate the breakdown of organic contaminants on membrane surfaces. This oxidation process effectively removes persistent organic contaminants that mechanical back-flushing cannot eliminate, restoring membrane flux more reliably and sustainably.
2Quantity of substance
If mechanical back-flushing is used, then some contamination is removed, but persistent organic contaminants remain difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses peracetic acid as a strong oxidant to chemically degrade persistent organic contaminants that mechanical methods cannot remove. The oxidation process breaks down complex organic molecules into simpler, removable substances, effectively eliminating resistant contaminants while maintaining membrane integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes mechanical removal with chemical oxidation to address persistent organic contaminants. This chemical approach provides superior capability in removing contaminants that physically resist mechanical detachment, thereby increasing the quantity of substance removed from the membrane surfaces.
3Reliability
If cleaning is performed frequently due to blockage, then membrane performance is maintained, but process time is increased and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs peracetic acid oxidation to rapidly clean membranes and restore permeability, reducing the time required between cleaning cycles. This efficient cleaning method maintains membrane performance while minimizing process interruptions, thereby improving overall productivity compared to slower mechanical cleaning methods.
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 restores membrane flux efficiently, removing substantial contaminants in under 60 minutes without the need for further chemical treatments, ensuring effective cleaning of filters used in food and water production without halogen residues, suitable for various membrane types.
Implementation Method 1
using a solution of a peroxydisulphate... oxidize and solubilize contaminants on the membrane surfaces... generating radicals that break down polysaccharides, proteins, and polyphenols
Implementation Method 2
generating radicals that break down polysaccharides, proteins, and polyphenols
Data Source
AI summary
A method for cleaning process apparatus used for production of liquids, especially for cleaning filters, for example membrane filters. The apparatus is contacted with a solution of peroxydisulphate. It is especially preferred that the cleaning process is carried out at a temperature between 15 and 95° C.