Membrane Plate Separation Device with Segmented Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional membrane separation devices face issues with membrane element shifting and distortion due to pressure differences, leading to potential leaks and inconsistent membrane spacing during filtration operations.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates a collecting case with a membrane element holder featuring slits and a stopper, which includes plates or rod-like members that abut on the membrane elements to prevent shifting and maintain constant spacing, using a sealing material to integrate the membrane elements and prevent fluid leaks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If resin is filled between membrane elements to integrate and seal them, then watertight sealing is achieved, but membrane elements shift and distort under pressure difference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidmembrane element position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The collecting case is divided into multiple compartments by partition walls, with each compartment housing individual membrane elements. This segmentation provides structural support to each membrane element while maintaining sealing, preventing the shifting and distortion that occurs with continuous resin filling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If vacuum is applied to the resin layer for vacuum filtration, then filtration is enhanced, but the resin layer pulls inward causing membrane element distortion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidmembrane module shape

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Rigid partition walls are pre-installed in the collecting case to provide structural support and counterbalance the inward pull caused by vacuum pressure. These partition walls act as cushioning elements that prevent membrane element distortion before the vacuum filtration process begins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If membrane elements are arranged in parallel with predetermined distance, then filtration flow channels are formed, but constant distance cannot be maintained under pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow channel formationVSAvoidmembrane spacing consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Partition walls serve as intermediary structures between adjacent membrane elements, maintaining the predetermined distance between them. These partition walls ensure constant spacing while allowing filtration flow channels to form, resolving the conflict between operational ease and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration effectively prevents membrane module distortion, maintains consistent membrane spacing, and prevents fluid leaks, ensuring stable filtration operations even under varying pressure conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure in the collecting space of the collecting case 3 at the time of a filtration operation is lower than a pressure of surrounding water, thus a force is applied to a layer of the resin 4 in a direction from outside to inside of the water collecting cases 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The plurality of membrane elements 2 are integrated and attached to the collecting cases 3 with watertight sealing by use of the resin 4

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 3

a membrane separation device that is used for filtration or condensation in treating general water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2415514B1Membrane plates separation device

Publication Date: 2014.09.10 KUBOTA CORP

Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5

AI summary

Disclosed is a membrane separation device comprising a plurality of flat membrane elements (52) arranged in parallel to one another so as to form channels for a solution to be treated in between, and a collecting case (59) having a collecting space that is formed internally and communicates with filtrate flow channels of the membrane elements (52). The collecting case (59) includes a membrane element holder (53) having a plurality of slits, into which the sides of respective membrane elements (52) are inserted, and a stopper (58) which abuts on the membrane element holder (53) in the collecting case (59), and a filler (55) is provided in the slits to attach and watertightly seal between the membrane elements (52) and the membrane element holder (53).