Membrane Shell Housing for RO Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current membrane arrangements for reverse osmosis (RO) and other filtration processes are costly, complex, and inefficient in terms of resource usage, particularly in recycling and reuse applications.
Innovation Solution
A membrane arrangement where the membrane shell acts as the housing, eliminating the need for a pressure vessel, and allowing for easy assembly, transportation, and recycling of membrane modules with reduced resource consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional pressure vessels and multiple fixing rods are used to hold membrane modules, then high-pressure resistance is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the housing function with the membrane shell itself, eliminating the need for a separate pressure vessel. The membrane shell is designed to directly withstand operating pressures, integrating two previously separate components (membrane module and pressure vessel) into one unified structure. This reduces the number of parts while maintaining high-pressure resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane shell serves multiple functions simultaneously: it contains the membrane element, provides structural support for pressure resistance, and acts as the housing itself. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated pressure vessels, simplifying the overall device structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple fixing rods and end flanges are used to assemble membrane arrangements, then structural stability is improved, but ease of assembly and transportation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex assembly of multiple fixing rods and end flanges from the membrane arrangement. By designing the membrane shell to directly function as the housing, the invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate components, simplifying assembly to basic connection points while maintaining structural stability through the integrated design.
3Stress or pressure
If traditional membrane arrangements with separate housings are used, then pressure containment is achieved, but transportation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the membrane module and pressure vessel into a single integrated unit where the membrane shell serves as both the membrane housing and pressure-containing structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate pressure vessels, reducing overall size and weight for transportation while maintaining full pressure containment capability.
4Ease of manufacture
If membrane modules are disposed in landfills or incinerated, then waste management is simplified, but environmental impact and resource loss worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the recovery and reuse of membrane modules by providing a simplified arrangement that facilitates easy disassembly, preservation, and reassembly. The integrated design allows membranes to be extracted, regenerated, and reused in new arrangements, transforming the linear dispose-and-buy model into a circular economy approach that recovers valuable resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane arrangement is designed as a modular system where the membrane element can be easily separated from the housing structure. This segmentation allows the valuable membrane material to be extracted and regenerated independently, facilitating resource recovery while simplifying waste management of non-valuable components.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention refers to a membrane arrangement (1) and an assembly method for treating a fluid comprising: a membrane module (100) with a membrane shell (2) containing a membrane element (20). The arrangement also comprises an inlet cap (10) comprising one permeate inlet opening (12), in fluid communication with the inlet end of membrane module (100) for introducing a feed stream of influent into said membrane arrangement (1) through said inlet opening (12), an outlet cap (14) comprising at least one first outlet opening (16), arranged in fluid communication with said outlet end of said membrane module (100) for allowing a permeate stream to flow out from said membrane module (100) through said at least one first outlet opening (16), a plurality of single elongated connecting members (34) with fastening means (52) for connecting said inlet and outlet caps (10, 14) together in an assembly position. Finally, the inlet and outlet caps (10, 14) are sealingly arranged on said membrane module (100) and the outer housing of the membrane arrangement (1) is the membrane shell (2).