Reverse Osmosis Feed Spacer with Spiral Filaments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reverse osmosis filter modules face inefficiencies due to differential pressure and concentration polarization, which increase energy costs and reduce water permeability, necessitating an improved feed spacer design.
Innovation Solution
A reverse osmosis filter module with a feed spacer formed by repeatedly positioning spiral filaments, increasing the cross-sectional area of the flow path and concentrating the water vortex on the membrane surface, thereby reducing differential pressure and mitigating concentration polarization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional feed spacer is used, then the structure is simple, but differential pressure increases and energy costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The feed spacer uses a spiral curved structure instead of straight or planar configurations. This curvature creates a vortex flow pattern that enhances mass transfer and reduces concentration polarization, thereby lowering the energy required for water permeation while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The feed spacer utilizes hydraulic principles by creating a spiral flow channel that induces vortex motion in the feed water. This hydraulic design optimizes flow distribution and reduces pressure losses, decreasing the differential pressure required for effective reverse osmosis operation
2Ease of manufacture
If a conventional feed spacer is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but concentration polarization worsens and water permeability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spiral curved geometry of the feed spacer creates continuous vortex flow that prevents stagnant zones and enhances boundary layer renewal at the membrane surface. This curvature-induced mixing mitigates concentration polarization, maintaining high water permeability while using a manufacturable spiral structure
Solution Approach 2:
The feed spacer design changes the flow parameters by inducing rotational vortex motion through its spiral configuration. This parameter change in flow pattern (from laminar to vortex flow) enhances mass transfer coefficients and reduces concentration polarization, improving water permeability without complicating manufacturing
3Stress or pressure
If the cross-sectional area of flow path is increased, then differential pressure is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spiral curved structure naturally increases the effective cross-sectional area available for flow while maintaining a compact form factor. The curvature creates multiple flow paths that distribute water more evenly, reducing differential pressure without requiring a proportionally larger overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The feed spacer transitions from a two-dimensional planar structure to a three-dimensional spiral configuration. This dimensional change allows the flow path to utilize vertical space and create multiple levels of flow channels, effectively increasing the cross-sectional area for flow while keeping the external dimensions compact
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 effectively reduces differential pressure and improves the efficiency of the reverse osmosis filter module by concentrating the water vortex on the membrane surface, enhancing water permeability and reducing energy costs.
Implementation Method 1
the reverse osmosis refers to a phenomenon in which a predetermined difference in water level occurs while a solution with low concentration is moved to a solution with high concentration when a predetermined period of time has passed after the two solutions having a difference in concentration are separated by a semipermeable membrane. In addition, a difference in water level occurring during this process refers to reverse osmotic pressure.
Implementation Method 2
spiral filaments are repeatedly positioned to form the feed spacer, such that a flow of a liquid to be supplied to the feed spacer is concentrated on a surface of a reverse osmosis membrane
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a reverse osmosis filter module including an improved feed spacer, and more particularly, to a reverse osmosis filter module including an improved feed spacer, in which spiral filaments are repeatedly positioned to form the feed spacer, such that a flow of a liquid to be supplied to the feed spacer is concentrated on a surface of a reverse osmosis membrane to effectively mitigate concentration polarization.