Rectangular Duct Filtration Element for Clogging Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current filtration methods face significant challenges due to clogging phenomena, such as concentration polarization and pore blocking, which reduce permeation flow and require increased energy consumption and larger installation sizes, making them economically unattractive.
Innovation Solution
The development of a new rigid filtration element with a one-piece inorganic porous support featuring rectangular cross-section circulation ducts and a continuous separating layer, optimized for tangential flow to enhance permeation flux while maintaining mechanical strength and preventing clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional filtration membranes are used, then separation function is provided, but clogging occurs reducing permeation flow and increasing energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the circulation ducts by introducing a rectangular cross-section with specific aspect ratio (width to length ratio between 1:4 and 1:10), which optimizes the parietal shear stress distribution to prevent clogging while maintaining high permeation flow
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies asymmetry by using rectangular circulation ducts with unequal dimensions (width significantly smaller than length), creating non-uniform flow distribution that enhances shear stress at critical locations to prevent particle accumulation and clogging
2Productivity
If filtration surface area is increased to meet treatment requirements, then separation capacity improves, but installation size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the hydraulic diameter and aspect ratio of circulation ducts to maximize permeation flux per unit area, allowing high separation capacity with reduced membrane surface area and compact installation size
3Productivity
If tangential flow speed is increased to reduce clogging, then permeation flow increases, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric rectangular duct geometry creates optimized shear stress distribution that prevents clogging at lower flow speeds, reducing the energy required to maintain effective tangential flow for clogging prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the aspect ratio and dimensions of circulation ducts to achieve maximum permeation flux at minimum energy consumption by balancing shear stress effects with pumping energy requirements
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 design effectively reduces clogging, increases permeation flux, and decreases energy consumption by utilizing a continuous separating layer and optimized geometry, ensuring efficient filtration with improved mechanical strength and reduced operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
A membrane constitutes a selective barrier which allows, under the action of a transfer force, the passage or the stopping of certain components of the fluid medium to be treated. The passage or the stopping of the components results from their size compared to the size of the pores of the membrane which then behaves like a filter.
Implementation Method 2
The membranes are generally made up of a porous support which provides the mechanical strength of the membrane and which, defining the number and morphology of the circulation ducts for the liquid medium to be treated, determines the total filtering surface of the membrane.
Implementation Method 3
The phenomenon of concentration polarization operates during a filtration operation when the macromolecules present in the liquid medium to be treated concentrate at the membrane/solution interface where they exert an osmotic counter-pressure opposite to the separation force or backdiffuse into the center of the liquid medium to be treated according to Fick's law.
Data Source
AI summary
The subject of the invention relates to a separating element comprising:an inorganic one-piece rigid porous support (2) having, on one side, a first outer planar surface (3) and, on an opposite side, a second outer planar surface (4);at least two circulation ducts (6) for the liquid medium that are formed in the porous support so as to each have a rectangular cross section;at least one internal connection system for the distribution (10) of the liquid medium in a series of circulation ducts, and at least one internal connection system for the collection (12) of the retentate coming from the series of circulation ducts, the internal connection system for the distribution (10), the circulation ducts (6) and the internal connection system for the collection (12) being provided with at least one separating layer continuously deposited between the inlet (11) and the outlet (13) of the porous support;and a collection system (7) for the permeate that has passed through the separating layer or layers.