Separation Membrane Element With Non-Uniform Fibrous Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Separation membrane elements face challenges in balancing flow resistance and turbulent flow, particularly at the intersections of fiber-form objects, leading to stagnation and reduced performance under high pressure.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a feed-side channel material with fibrous rows of fiber-form objects arranged in different directions, featuring small-diameter and large-diameter parts with specific diameter ratios and tensile modulus, and reticulate regions defined by approximate parabolas to enhance turbulent flow and reduce fouling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the feed-side channel material is made thinner to heighten the membrane-surface linear velocity and cause turbulent flows, then the separation performance is improved, but the flow resistance increases and foulants clog the feed-side channels
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber-form objects are designed with non-uniform cross-sections featuring small-diameter parts and large-diameter parts at different locations. This local variation in geometry creates different flow characteristics in different regions, promoting turbulent flow near the membrane surface while maintaining larger channels in other areas to prevent foulant accumulation and clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber-form objects have curved or non-circular cross-sections rather than simple cylindrical shapes. This curvature creates more complex flow patterns that enhance turbulence and reduce stagnant zones where foulants could accumulate, while still maintaining adequate flow passages.
2Reliability
If the feed-side channel material thickness is reduced to increase turbulent flow, then concentration polarization is reduced, but the pressure loss increases and power consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The channel material has spatially varying fiber configurations with different cross-sectional geometries at different locations. This allows localized enhancement of turbulent flow where needed (near membrane surface) while maintaining lower flow resistance in other regions, optimizing the balance between separation performance and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-sectional parameters of the fiber-form objects (diameter, shape) are varied along the flow path to optimize flow characteristics. By changing these geometric parameters locally, the system achieves enhanced turbulence for better separation while controlling overall pressure drop and energy requirements.
3Productivity
If the fiber-form objects are arranged to reduce flow resistance, then the productivity is improved, but the turbulent flow near the membrane surface is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the feed-side channel material have different fiber arrangements and cross-sectional characteristics. Areas closer to the membrane surface have configurations that promote turbulence, while other areas have configurations optimized for low flow resistance, achieving both high productivity and reliable separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-circular, curved cross-sections of fiber-form objects create more effective flow disruption and turbulence generation per unit of material, achieving better separation performance without proportionally increasing flow resistance, thus maintaining high water production rates.
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 configuration stabilizes the separation performance by reducing fouling and increasing differential pressure resistance, maintaining efficient operation and water production rates.
Implementation Method 1
the feed-side channel material is made thinner to heighten the membrane-surface linear velocity of the feed water and cause turbulent flows near the surface of the separation membrane, thereby reducing the thickness of a concentration-polarization layer
Implementation Method 2
spiral-type separation membrane elements are widely used in reverse osmosis filtration
Implementation Method 3
separation membranes adopted in the separation methods utilizing separation membrane elements are classified by pore size and separation performance into microfiltration membranes, ultrafiltration membranes, nanofiltration membranes, reverse osmosis membranes, and forward osmosis membranes
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention addresses the problem of providing a separation membrane element with which it is possible to stabilize the separation removal performance when a separation membrane element is operated. The present invention is a separation membrane element provided at least with a collecting pipe, a separation membrane, a feed-side channel material, and a permeation-side channel material, wherein: the feed-side channel material is configured from a fibrous column X configured from a plurality of fibrous materials A arranged in one direction and a fibrous column Y configured from a plurality of fibrous materials B arranged in a different direction to the fibrous column X; the fibrous materials A intersect the fibrous materials B to form intersections; and the fibrous materials A and/or the fibrous materials B have a small-diameter part and a large-diameter part between adjacent intersections in a section plane parallel to the respective fibrous column.