Membrane Element Resin Spacers for Flow Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing separation membrane elements for water treatment, particularly in membrane bioreactors, face challenges with high flow resistance, inadequate rigidity, and increased costs due to thick support plates, which hinder efficient filtration and durability.
Innovation Solution
A separation membrane element design featuring a pair of membranes with resin members bonded to their filtrate-side surfaces, maintaining a gap between them to reduce flow resistance and enhance rigidity, while eliminating support plates to minimize cost and maximize membrane area per unit volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a thick support plate is used to provide rigidity and resist aeration energy, then the membrane element can withstand operational forces, but the membrane area per unit installation area decreases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple thin resin members (spacers) distributed across the membrane surface, replacing the conventional single thick support plate. These spacers are positioned at intervals to provide localized rigidity and maintain membrane spacing, allowing more membrane area to be packed into the same installation footprint while maintaining structural integrity against aeration forces
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses thin resin members (spacers) instead of thick rigid plates. These thin structures provide the necessary mechanical support and rigidity to resist aeration energy while occupying minimal space, thereby maximizing the membrane area per unit installation area and reducing overall module size
2Volume of stationary object
If membranes are placed close together to maximize packing density, then the module size is reduced, but flow resistance increases and filtrate flow rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The space between membranes is segmented into controlled channels by the resin spacers, which maintain consistent spacing and create defined flow paths. This segmentation prevents membrane contact while allowing close packing, reducing module volume without creating excessive flow resistance
Solution Approach 2:
Resin spacers act as intermediary elements between the two membranes, maintaining an optimal gap distance. These spacers serve as physical mediators that prevent direct membrane contact (which would cause high flow resistance) while allowing the membranes to be positioned close enough to achieve high packing density and compact module size
3Strength
If resin members are added to maintain gap and provide rigidity, then flow resistance is reduced and structural strength is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resin members are implemented as thin, simple spacer structures that bond to the membrane surfaces. These simple geometric forms provide rigidity and maintain gaps without introducing complex structural features, balancing structural strength requirements with manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes parameters such as resin member thickness, spacing intervals, and bonding characteristics to achieve the desired structural strength and gap maintenance. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system achieves effective rigidity and flow channel maintenance without excessive structural complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A separation membrane element including a pair of separation membranes containing two separation membranes arranged so that the filtrate-side surfaces thereof are disposed in mutually opposed relation, and a plurality of resin members bonded to both of the mutually opposed filtrate-side surfaces, a peripheral edge of the pair of separation membranes being sealed.