Membrane Filtration with Reactive Substance for Micropollutant Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing membrane filtration systems for removing micropollutants from water face challenges such as inadequate flow to reactive materials, consumption and exhaustion of immobilized reactive solids, high regeneration costs, and potential damage to membrane systems during regeneration processes, leading to inefficient and complex multi-stage treatment processes.
Innovation Solution
A compact two-stage membrane filtration system with a separate reaction chamber between two membranes, allowing for continuous replacement and regeneration of reactive substances, enabling efficient micropollutant removal and regeneration without damaging the membrane system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reactive solids are immobilized in a membrane filter layer or permeate chamber, then micropollutant removal is achieved, but the reactive solids are consumed and exhausted over time, decreasing removal efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static immobilized reactive solids into a dynamic system where reactive substance is continuously circulated through the membrane module. The reactive substance flows from the retentate channel, through the membrane, into the permeate channel, and is regenerated externally before being fed back, creating a dynamic renewal process that maintains constant removal efficiency throughout the operating period.
2Productivity
If regeneration of reactive substance is performed in situ within the membrane system, then continuous operation is possible, but the regeneration processes may damage the membrane system due to high temperatures required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the membrane filtration function from the reactive substance regeneration function into distinct spatial zones. The membrane module handles only filtration, while the regeneration process occurs in an external unit connected via separate ports. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function, enabling high-temperature regeneration outside the membrane system while maintaining gentle conditions within the membrane module.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces separate supply and discharge ports as intermediary interfaces between the membrane module and the external regeneration system. These ports enable the reactive substance to be transferred for regeneration without requiring in-situ heating within the membrane, acting as a buffer that protects the membrane from thermal damage while maintaining continuous operation.
3Reliability
If membrane filtration is followed by separate downstream treatment stages for micropollutant removal, then thorough purification is achieved, but the process becomes complex and requires larger size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the micropollutant removal function directly into the membrane filtration system by integrating a reaction chamber within the membrane module structure. The reactive substance is introduced into the retentate channel, allowing simultaneous filtration and chemical reaction in a single integrated unit, thereby achieving thorough purification without the complexity of separate downstream treatment stages.
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 system achieves efficient micropollutant removal with continuous regeneration of reactive substances, reducing operational costs and maintaining membrane stability, thus providing a single-stage, modular treatment solution for micropollutant removal from contaminated liquids.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid to be treated is able to be filtered by the first membrane
Implementation Method 2
such that the micropollutants are able to react with the reactive substance in the reaction chamber
Implementation Method 3
the liquid treated with the reactive substance in the reaction chamber is able to be filtered by the second membrane
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for membrane filtration and for the removal of micropollutants from liquids by way of a reactive substance, the device comprising a reaction chamber and at least one port for supplying and/or discharging the reactive substance to and/or from the reaction chamber, such that the micropollutants are able to react with the reactive substance in the reaction chamber and/or may be removed from a liquid, and the reaction chamber comprising a first membrane and a second membrane, the first membrane being designed as an inlet into the reaction chamber and the second membrane being designed as an outlet from the reaction chamber, such that the liquid to be treated is able to be filtered by the first membrane and to flow into the reaction chamber, the liquid treated with the reactive substance in the reaction chamber is able to be filtered by the second membrane and to flow out of the reaction chamber, and the outflow of treated liquid is substantially free from micropollutants.