Osmotic Membrane Support with Projections for High Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semipermeable membranes in osmosis systems are not strong enough to withstand high pressures, which are necessary for efficient energy generation, leading to membrane collapse and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A support system for filtration membranes is introduced, featuring a combination of a porous sheet and projections with flat or curved top surfaces, which distribute pressure evenly and prevent membrane collapse under high pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high pressure difference is applied over the semipermeable membrane to increase energy generation efficiency, then the energy generation efficiency is improved, but the membrane strength is insufficient to withstand the high pressures leading to collapse
Solution Approach 1:
A porous support sheet is introduced as an intermediary between the semipermeable membrane and the spacer. This support sheet has higher mechanical strength than the membrane itself, allowing the system to withstand high pressure differences (up to 200 bar or more) without membrane collapse, while maintaining the membrane's filtration function and enabling high energy generation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane assembly is constructed as a composite structure combining multiple materials with different properties: the semipermeable membrane for filtration, the porous support sheet for mechanical strength and pressure distribution, and the spacer for structural support. This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously achieve high strength, good filtration performance, and high energy generation efficiency under high pressure conditions.
2Ease of operation
If the filter elements are made thinner to reduce resistance, then the flow resistance is reduced, but the filter elements collapse under high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The porous support sheet acts as a mediator between the thin filter membrane and the spacer, providing mechanical reinforcement to the thin membrane. This allows the membrane to be made thinner to reduce flow resistance while the support sheet prevents collapse under high pressure, resolving the contradiction between low flow resistance and high pressure resistance.
3Device complexity
If the spacer structure is simplified to reduce complexity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the membrane cannot withstand high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is segmented into distinct functional components: the porous support sheet for pressure distribution and membrane reinforcement, and the spacer for structural support and flow channel maintenance. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, providing high pressure resistance without excessive overall complexity.
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 support system enhances the robustness of filtration membranes, allowing them to withstand high pressures without collapsing, thereby improving the efficiency of energy generation in osmosis systems.
Implementation Method 1
projections with flat or curved top surfaces, which distribute pressure evenly and prevent membrane collapse under high pressures
Implementation Method 2
In classical osmosis system a semipermeable membrane allows a solvent to pass to a concentrated solution side by osmosis. The technique can be used to generate power from the salinity gradient energy resulting from the difference in the salt concentration. Solvent molecules diffuse across the semipermeable barrier into the solute solution to increase the pressure
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a support for a filtration membrane configuration formed with a first set of projections and a second set of projections in opposite directions. At least some of the first projections may be shaped with top areas forming contact face towards a filtration membrane configuration. The support for a filtration membrane may be formed with a first set of projections and a second set of projections in opposite directions, where at least some of the first projections are connected to a porous sheet forming support for said filtration membrane. The filtration membrane may be positioned directly on the porous sheet, or other in a sandwiched construction including other elements.