Immersed Membrane Train Segmentation for Water Treatment Flexibility

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water treatment plants using immersed membranes face inefficiencies in permeate production, ancillary functions, and equipment management, particularly in handling foam and sludge, which can lead to operational complexities and reduced flexibility.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates multiple membrane trains in separate tanks connected through common inlet and outlet channels, with hydraulic isolation capabilities, foam management systems, and integrated recirculation and aeration systems, allowing for controlled permeate production, backwashing, and sludge thickening, while maintaining a consistent water level and air distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple membrane trains are operated in parallel in a single tank, then permeate production capacity is increased, but operational flexibility and ease of maintenance are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepermeate production capacityVSAvoidoperational flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the membrane system into multiple independent trains, each capable of being isolated and maintained separately. Each train has its own suction source connection, allowing individual cassettes to be removed for cleaning or replacement without shutting down the entire system. This segmentation enables parallel operation of multiple trains while maintaining operational flexibility through independent control of each train.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If membrane cassettes are continuously operated without isolation capability, then permeate production is maximized, but ability to perform ancillary functions (backpulsing, cleaning, integrity testing) is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepermeate productionVSAvoidability to perform ancillary functions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs dynamic isolation valves that can selectively close off individual membrane trains from the common suction source. This dynamic control allows the system to switch between production mode (all trains operating) and maintenance mode (specific trains isolated for backpulsing, chemical cleaning, or integrity testing). The dynamic configuration enables continuous overall production while allowing comprehensive maintenance of individual components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a common suction source is used for multiple membrane trains, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability is worsened due to single point of failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuction source configurationVSAvoidtolerance of equipment failures

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

While using a common suction source infrastructure to minimize complexity, the patent implements segmentation through isolated connection points for each membrane train. Each train can be independently connected or disconnected from the common source via isolation valves. This segmented architecture maintains simplicity of the overall suction system while providing reliability through the ability to isolate and repair individual trains without affecting others, effectively eliminating single points of failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If membrane tanks are not hydraulically isolated, then ease of operation is improved, but ability to perform tank-specific ancillary functions (cleaning, draining) is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydraulic connectivityVSAvoidtank isolation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs dynamic hydraulic isolation through controllable valves at the interface between individual membrane tanks and the common inlet/outlet channels. These valves can be opened to allow free hydraulic flow and simplified operation, or closed to isolate specific tanks for cleaning, draining, or maintenance. This dynamic isolation capability maintains ease of operation during normal production while enabling comprehensive tank-specific ancillary functions when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 enhances the operational efficiency, flexibility, and reliability of water treatment plants by allowing independent operation of membrane trains, effective foam management, and efficient sludge processing, thereby improving overall plant performance and ease of operation.

Implementation Method 1

The process may involve applying suction to these membranes to withdraw permeate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

Each tank may have a set of aerators connected to a common air supply

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAeration: Aeration

Data Source

PatentUS8114293B2Method of operating a water treatment plant with immersed membranes

Publication Date: 2012.02.14 ZENON TECH PARTNERSHIP

AI summary

A liquid treatment plant has sets of membrane trains and processing trains with flow between them through channels. Steps of withdrawing permeate and sludge from the trains are described. Cyclic aeration is provided to the membrane trains. Methods of foam control, backwashing and chemical cleaning are described. Single membrane trains or process trains may be isolated for various functions. An isolated membrane train may be used to thicken sludge.