Membrane Separation Drawer for Concentration Polarization Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concentration polarization and membrane fouling significantly reduce membrane flux and efficiency in membrane separation processes, with existing methods not effectively addressing the need to obtain concentrated retention components while maintaining membrane performance.
Innovation Solution
A method and equipment that utilize a hollow structure drawer with openings to intermittently remove the concentration polarization layer from the separation side of the membrane, using a pressure difference to manage the transmembrane pressure and permeation flux, allowing for the collection of concentrated retention components and reducing fouling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If membrane separation is performed to achieve selective permeation and concentration of retention components, then separation efficiency and concentration are improved, but concentration polarization occurs on the membrane surface leading to flux decline and membrane fouling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the concentration polarization layer from the membrane surface using a drawer-type device with openings that selectively remove the enriched retention components while leaving the membrane intact. This extraction approach resolves the contradiction by removing the harmful concentrated layer that causes flux decline while maintaining the separation function.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of preventing concentration polarization formation through traditional cross-flow methods, the patent inverts the approach by allowing concentration polarization to form and then actively removing the concentrated layer. This inversion strategy maintains high concentration gradients for separation while preventing flux decline through periodic removal of the polarization layer.
2Quantity of substance
If retention components are enriched on the membrane surface through selective permeation, then concentration of retention components is improved, but membrane fouling is aggravated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by intermittently drawing the concentration polarization layer at predetermined intervals during the membrane separation process. This periodic removal prevents continuous accumulation of retained components on the membrane surface, thereby reducing membrane fouling while maintaining reliable membrane performance over extended operation periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawer-type device with hollow structure and openings acts as an intermediary between the membrane surface and the bulk solution. It selectively interacts with the concentration polarization layer to remove enriched retention components without directly contacting or damaging the membrane, thus protecting membrane reliability while achieving concentration.
3Productivity
If cross-flow is used to reduce concentration polarization and maintain membrane flux, then membrane flux is improved, but the ability to obtain concentrated retention components from the separation side is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts concentrated retention components directly from the separation side membrane surface using the drawer device, achieving both high concentration and maintained flux without relying on cross-flow. This extraction mechanism allows concentrated product recovery while keeping the membrane surface clean for sustained high flux operation.
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 approach effectively maintains membrane flux, reduces fouling, and enhances the concentration of retention components, improving the efficiency and longevity of membrane separation processes, particularly suitable for biomacromolecule concentration.
Implementation Method 1
Concentration polarization phenomenon refers to a phenomenon that a separation membrane selectively allows some components in a raw material to be separated to pass through but other components to be retained, which results in the enriching of the retention components near to the membrane surface of separation side to form a concentration gradient from the membrane surface to the raw material bulk phase
Implementation Method 2
exerting a driving force on the fluid to allow at least part of the permeation components to pass through the separation membrane and reach a permeation side of the separation membrane, wherein the driving force is produced by a pressure difference
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a membrane separation method and a relevant equipment, in particular to a method and an equipment for membrane separation utilizing concentration polarization during membrane filtration process, especially, to a concentration process and equipment and a drawer special for drawing a concentration polarization layer. The direct removal of the concentration polarization layer from membrane surface not only decreases the adverse influence of concentration polarization on membrane separation but also obtains concentrated retention components, thereby significantly improving the ability to maintain membrane flux, solving the twinborn problems concerning concentration polarization and membrane fouling during the membrane separation process, and achieving a high-efficiency concentration for retention components. The method and equipment of the present invention can be widely applied in various membrane techniques, in particular in a membrane separation process for concentrating biomacromolecule and organic micromolecule products such as sugars, organic acids and polypeptides etc.