Membrane Holder Deflector Plates for Backwash Jet Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The issue with existing membrane modules is that reversing the flow for backwashing can cause liquid jets to damage the hollow fibre membranes due to direct ejection from inlet openings, leading to potential membrane damage.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of deflector plates concentrically arranged around the central pipe, covering the inlet openings radially, redirects the liquid flow during backwashing, preventing direct impact on the membranes and allowing for higher flow rates without damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If liquid flow is increased for backwashing the filter, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but liquid jets damage the hollow fibre membranes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackwashing efficiencyVSAvoidmembrane damage from liquid jets

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Deflector plates are introduced as intermediary elements between the central pipe and the hollow fibre membranes. These plates redirect the liquid flow path, acting as a mediator that allows high flow rates to pass through while preventing direct impact on the membranes. The deflector plates create a controlled flow distribution that maintains cleaning efficiency while eliminating the harmful jet effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If inlet openings are positioned directly in the central pipe, then flow resistance is minimized, but liquid jets directly impact the membranes during backwashing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow resistanceVSAvoiddirect liquid jet impact on membranes

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The deflector plates extend radially outward from the central pipe, adding a dimensional element that redirects flow from a direct radial path to a circumferential path around the pipe. This dimensional change allows the flow to maintain its energy and direction while bypassing the membranes, eliminating direct impact without significant flow resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If holding elements are positioned close to the central pipe, then membrane bundle confinement is improved, but space for deflector plates and flow redirection is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane bundle confinementVSAvoidspace availability for flow redirection components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deflector plates are nested within the existing structural framework of the membrane holder, fitting into the radial space between the central pipe and the holding elements. This nesting approach allows multiple functions (flow redirection and membrane confinement) to coexist in the same spatial envelope without requiring additional external space, maintaining both confinement effectiveness and flow redirection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 deflector plates effectively protect the hollow fibre membranes from liquid jets, enabling higher flow rates during backwashing without causing damage, and ensure uniform resistance across all inlet openings.

Implementation Method 1

deflector plates concentrically arranged around and spaced apart from the central pipe and, when viewed in radial direction, covering the bands of inlet openings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow redirection:

Implementation Method 2

Water or another liquid, such as beer, wine, juices, dairy, etc., to be filtered is pumped via a header into the hollow fibre membranes and filtered liquid penetrates through the wall of the hollow fibre membranes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

This is done by reversing the flow in the membrane module. Liquid is pumped through the central pipe and via the inlet openings into the space where the bundles of hollow fibre membranes are

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow reversal:

Data Source

PatentUS12589359B2Membrane holder and membrane module

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 NX FILTRATION BV

AI summary

A membrane holder for hollow fibre membranes, in particular for applying in a tube filter, includes a central pipe having spaced apart bands of inlet openings formed along a circumference of the central pipe to flow liquid through the central pipe, holding elements arranged around the central pipe, which holding elements have radially extending wall parts distributed along the circumference of the central pipe, and closing parts extending between the free ends of the radially extending wall parts for confining a bundle of hollow fibre membranes between two adjacent radially extending wall parts and a closing part, and deflector plates concentrically arranged around and spaced apart from the central pipe and, when viewed in radial direction, covering the bands of inlet openings.