Modular Distribution Head for Membrane Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current membrane-based water treatment and energy generation systems face challenges due to space inefficiency, high costs, and complex maintenance, particularly in plants with multiple membrane vessels of varying sizes and pressure levels, which require numerous connectors and hydraulic coupling parts made of expensive stainless steel, leading to increased space requirements and logistical difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A modular distribution head with integrated flow openings and a gasket for sealing, featuring a hybrid plastic and aluminum design with internal cavities for tensile elements, allowing for direct interlocking of adjacent heads without external hydraulic coupling parts, reducing the need for stainless steel connectors and enabling easier maintenance by allowing individual dismantling of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hydraulic coupling parts and connectors are used to connect membrane vessels, then the membrane vessels can be sealed and connected, but the space requirements increase significantly and the cost increases due to numerous stainless steel connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution head integrates multiple functions into a single component: it combines the sealing function (via integrated gasket), the connection function (via integrated coupling part), and the flow distribution function (via integrated flow openings) into one unified element. This eliminates the need for separate hydraulic coupling parts and connectors, thereby reducing space requirements while maintaining sealing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution head serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it seals the membrane housing body, connects to adjacent distribution heads, distributes liquid flow through multiple flow openings, and provides mounting points for membrane elements. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing overall space requirements.
2Productivity
If traditional hydraulic coupling parts are used to connect membrane vessels, then the vessels can be connected for water treatment, but the cost increases due to expensive stainless steel connectors and bends
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution head combines multiple expensive stainless steel components (connectors, bends, coupling parts) into a single integrated element, reducing the total material cost and manufacturing complexity while maintaining the same water treatment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution head uses composite construction with a plastic housing and an integrated aluminum core for structural strength, replacing the traditional all-stainless-steel construction. This reduces material costs while maintaining the mechanical strength required for water treatment applications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If membrane vessels of different sizes and pressure levels are used, then the plant can be adapted to different requirements, but the complexity increases and maintenance becomes more difficult due to different connectors and components
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution head is designed as a universal component that can be used with membrane housing bodies of different sizes and pressure levels. The standardized design with integrated coupling parts and flow openings allows the same component to serve multiple configurations, reducing component variety while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution head is designed as a modular, interchangeable unit that can be easily replaced or reconfigured. This segmentation allows for simplified maintenance where individual units can be swapped without affecting the entire system, reducing the complexity of maintaining different component types.
4Reliability
If traditional connectors and hydraulic coupling parts are used, then the membrane vessels can be connected, but the maintenance becomes more difficult and time-consuming due to the number of components that need to be dismantled
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the sealing, connection, and flow distribution functions into a single distribution head unit, the number of components that need to be dismantled during maintenance is reduced. The integrated design maintains connection stability while improving maintenance accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution head is designed as a self-contained modular unit that can be easily removed and replaced as a single component. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access and replace individual units without dismantling the entire connection system, significantly improving maintenance accessibility while maintaining connection integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
Subject-matter of the invention is a modular distribution head for a membrane housing body including a front side, a pipe connection to the membrane housing body, a gasket to seal the membrane housing body which is placed in the pipe connection, at least two flow openings in the distribution head through which the liquid can flow in and out of the distribution head and the membrane housing body whilst the flow opening is e.g. a liquid inlet, a permeate outlet or a concentrate outlet. The use of the distribution head or plant as per the invention leads to a considerable reduction in space required. In addition to less required space, a further advantage of the distribution heads as per the invention is that the connector pieces and the hydraulic connections are no longer necessary since the distribution heads are directly connected to each other and less collector pipes are needed in a plant.