Membrane Separation System Sealing Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing membrane separation systems in electro-membrane processes face issues with leakage and poor sanitary sealing due to inadequate support of sealing membranes, leading to difficulties in cleaning and sanitization, especially in multi-compartment configurations.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a membrane separation system with spacers having flanges that form conduits between outer surfaces, featuring ribs and a support matrix to create a defined flow path and ensure sealing, using elastically compressible sealing elements and specific dimensions to maintain a seal between flanges and membranes, and incorporating a protruding edge for enhanced sealing and easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If membranes are used as sealing elements between spacer flanges, then sealing function is provided, but support of the sealing membranes is poor leading to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure combining a rigid flange made of hard material for mechanical support and sealing, with a soft sealing membrane made of elastomeric material. The flange provides structural strength while the membrane provides sealing flexibility, resolving the contradiction between support strength and sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange design incorporates localized sealing surfaces and rib structures that provide targeted support to the membrane at critical sealing locations. The rib protrusions create defined compression zones that locally enhance membrane support without requiring the entire membrane structure to be heavily reinforced.
2Reliability
If multilayered spacer structures are used to reduce leakage, then sealing is improved, but cleaning and sanitization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from a complex multilayered structure and implements it through a simplified single-flange design with integrated sealing surfaces. This eliminates the multiple layers and interfaces that are difficult to clean, while maintaining effective sealing through the flange-membrane compression interface.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple layers to achieve sealing (as in conventional designs), the invention inverts the approach by using a single rigid flange structure that compresses the membrane to create the seal. This inversion simplifies the structure from multiple cleaning-difficult layers to a single easily cleaned flange component.
3Reliability
If membrane and spacer apertures are aligned for sealing, then sealing function is achieved, but perfect alignment is impossible leading to poor sanitary sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing membrane is made of elastomeric material that can deform and conform to the flange sealing surface. This flexibility compensates for minor misalignments between membrane and spacer apertures, ensuring reliable sealing without requiring perfect manufacturing alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the sealing mechanism from relying on precise aperture alignment to relying on compression-induced deformation. By applying compression force through the flange, the membrane deforms to fill gaps and conform to the sealing surface, making the sealing process tolerant of manufacturing variations.
4Reliability
If compression is applied to seal between flanges and membranes, then sealing is improved, but excessive compression can damage membranes
Solution Approach 1:
The flange design incorporates compliant sealing surfaces and rib structures that distribute compression forces evenly across the membrane. This beforehand cushioning through controlled deformation zones prevents stress concentration that could damage the membrane, while still achieving adequate sealing compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of rigid flange material and elastomeric membrane creates a composite system where the soft membrane component absorbs and distributes compression forces. This material pairing allows sufficient compression for sealing while the membrane's elasticity prevents damage from excessive localized stress.
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 design enhances fluid separation, facilitates easy assembly and cleaning, and ensures aseptic operation by reducing leakage and improving sterility, making it suitable for pharmaceutical and food industry applications.
Implementation Method 1
the membrane being compressed to an extent where a distance between the ribs of the adjacent spacers in the thickness direction corresponds to the thickness of the un-compressed part of the membrane, and in that compression of the system in the thickness direction is sufficient to provide a seal between adjacent flanges and membranes
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a membrane separation system with membranes arranged between flow spacers in a stack. The flow spacers are formed with apertures (27-A, 29-B, 30-B) forming inlet ducts and outlet ducts, and due to the design of the flow spacer, increased sealing may be obtained between adjacent compartments in the stack and decreased potential for contamination can be expected.