Hollow Fiber Membrane Module Vibration Damping During Aeration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Submerged-type hollow fiber membrane modules used in wastewater treatment experience vibration and potential cracking during maintenance cleaning due to rising air bubbles and water turbulence, leading to frequent module damage and increased replacement costs.

Innovation Solution

A filtering membrane module with a header and reinforcing members, including coupling units and rings, is designed to be securely attached to a frame structure, minimizing vibration and preventing cracks by providing enhanced stability and support during the aeration process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If aeration method is used for maintenance cleaning, then foreign materials are removed from membrane surface, but filtering membrane module is shaken and vibrated causing cracks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane permeabilityVSAvoidconnection part integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a damping structure that absorbs and attenuates vibrations before they can damage the connection parts. The damping structure is positioned between the hollow fiber membranes and the support structure to cushion the impact of water turbulence and air bubble generation during aeration cleaning, preventing cracks in connection parts while maintaining the membrane's ability to be cleaned effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If aeration method is used for maintenance cleaning, then membrane surface is cleaned, but module vibration increases leading to frequent damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance cleaning effectivenessVSAvoidmodule durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The damping structure is installed beforehand to cushion the vibrations generated during aeration cleaning operations. This allows the maintenance cleaning to proceed effectively while the damping structure absorbs the harmful vibrations, preventing module damage and extending durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping structure acts as an intermediary element between the hollow fiber membranes and the support structure. It mediates the interaction by absorbing vibration energy, allowing the aeration cleaning to function properly while protecting the module from vibration-induced damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional hollow fiber membrane module is used, then manufacturing cost is low, but replacement cost increases due to frequent damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidmodule lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By incorporating a damping structure into the conventional hollow fiber membrane module design, the patent extends the module lifespan through vibration protection during cleaning operations. This reduces the frequency of replacement needed, thereby lowering the overall replacement cost while maintaining the manufacturing simplicity and low initial cost of conventional modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

The solution extends the replacement period of the filtering membrane module, reduces maintenance and repair costs, and prevents cracking in connection parts, thereby enhancing the module's endurance and installation ease.

Implementation Method 1

air is jetted from an aeration pipe positioned under the hollow fiber membrane module during the water treatment, thereby generating rising air bubbles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

foreign materials are removed from the membrane surface owing to the rising air bubbles themselves and the rising water flow caused by the rising air bubbles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBubble rise: Bubble

Implementation Method 3

Negative pressure is applied to the inside of the hollow fiber membranes, whereby only fluid passes through the wall of each membrane and solid elements such as impurities and sludge are rejected

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 4

the water purity required can be easily and stably satisfied by adjusting the size of the pores of a membrane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Data Source

PatentUS9795904B2Filtering membrane module and filtering apparatus having the same

Publication Date: 2017.10.24 KOLON GLOBAL CORP

AI summary

A filtering membrane module and a filtering apparatus having the same, which is capable of remarkably reducing a vibration of filtering membrane module during an aeration process for a maintenance cleaning of filtering membrane, and preventing a crack from occurring in the filtering membrane module by the vibration, wherein the filtering membrane module comprises a filtering membrane; a header, to which the filtering membrane is potted, including a first lateral side and a second lateral side opposite to the first lateral side; a first coupling unit provided at the first lateral side; and a second coupling unit provided at the second lateral side.