Reverse Osmosis Membrane Flush Using Permeate Resorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional reverse osmosis filter flushing methods using untreated fluid are inefficient in removing trapped solids, leading to membrane contamination and reduced filtration efficiency, as they fail to effectively address 'plating' caused by orthophosphates and result in high mineral concentration in the membrane post-flush.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using permeate (mineral-free fluid) to flush the reverse osmosis filter membrane in the same direction as the filtration flow, incorporating a 'resorption' and 'resorption flush' cycle to enhance cleaning, where permeate is used to resorb minerals from the membrane and then flushed out, utilizing two pumps for pressurized untreated fluid and low-pressure permeate distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If untreated fluid is used to flush the reverse osmosis membrane, then the membrane can be flushed to remove some trapped solids, but the high mineral concentration in the untreated fluid causes the membrane to become contaminated again and fails to remove trapped solids effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses permeate as an intermediary flushing fluid between the untreated fluid and the membrane. The permeate, being mineral-free, serves as a clean medium that can remove trapped solids from the membrane without introducing new contaminants, thus resolving the contradiction between flushing effectiveness and preventing re-contamination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the flushing fluid from high-mineral-content untreated water to mineral-free permeate. This parameter change enables the flushing process to remove trapped solids effectively while preventing the membrane from becoming contaminated again with minerals
2Loss of substance
If untreated fluid is used to flush the membrane, then some heavy and loose solids can be removed, but trapped solids within the membrane (plating) cannot be effectively removed
Solution Approach 1:
Permeate acts as an intermediary that can penetrate into the membrane structure and dissolve trapped solids more effectively than untreated fluid. The mineral-free composition of permeate allows it to interact with and remove plating without adding more minerals to the trapped solids
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical properties of the flushing fluid to mineral-free composition, which enables more effective removal of trapped solids including plating. The altered chemical parameters of permeate allow it to dissolve and carry away trapped solids that untreated fluid cannot remove
3Device complexity
If the same pump is used for both filtering and flushing operations, then device complexity is reduced, but the pump must handle both high-pressure filtering and low-pressure flushing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the pump system dynamic by enabling a single pump to operate in two different modes: high-pressure mode for filtering and low-pressure mode for flushing. The pump's operational parameters (pressure, flow rate) are adjusted dynamically based on the required function, allowing one pump to replace what would traditionally require two pumps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the pump universal by designing it to perform both filtering and flushing functions. The pump is configured with adjustable parameters that allow it to adapt to different operational requirements, making a single pump device capable of performing multiple functions that would traditionally require separate dedicated pumps
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 approach effectively removes trapped solids, reduces membrane contamination, and extends the life and efficiency of the reverse osmosis filter by using permeate to resorb and flush minerals, providing a more complete cleaning process compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
Traditional 'reverse osmosis' filtering systems are designed to remove dissolved solids (minerals) from incoming untreated fluid (water). A typical reverse osmosis filtering system utilizes a pump to pressurize the incoming untreated fluid to a level that compresses the semi-permeable membrane of the reverse osmosis filter
Implementation Method 2
The flow of permeate is then stopped to allow the permeate present in the housing to immerse the membrane for at least about 5 minutes. This allows permeate to resorb solids from the membrane
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method use permeate to flush a reverse osmosis filter membrane in the same flow direction as when fluid is being filtered through the membrane. The apparatus includes a housing having a membrane positioned therein. The membrane has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The housing has an inlet port located outward of the exterior surface of the membrane and first and second outlet ports. The first outlet port is located outward of the exterior surface of the membrane and the second outlet port is located inward of the interior surface of the membrane. A first pump is used to route pressurized, untreated fluid from a fluid source through the membrane to produce permeate. A second pump is used to route permeate to a desired function while also routing some permeate at low pressure to the housing to flush the membrane.