Spiral Wound Separator Core With Porous Exhaust Conduits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional separator assemblies with folded multilayer membrane assemblies face issues with membrane function loss due to folding, leading to uncontrolled contact between the feed and permeate carrier layers, which affects efficiency and reliability, particularly in water purification processes.
Innovation Solution
A central core element with at least two porous exhaust conduits and a cavity defined by spacer elements, accommodating a membrane stack assembly, which allows for a wound structure without folds, preventing direct contact between the feed and permeate carrier layers, and optimizing the permeate carrier layer flow path length to reduce pressure drop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the membrane layer is folded to create a pocket-like structure, then the separator assembly can be manufactured with conventional porous exhaust conduits, but the folding results in loss of membrane function and uncontrolled contact between feed solution and permeate carrier layer
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the membrane assembly into multiple segments or layers that are wound around the exhaust conduit in a controlled manner, preventing folding while maintaining the necessary structure for feed and permeate separation. This segmentation allows the membrane to be arranged in a spiral configuration without creating pockets or folds that would compromise its function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a folded two-dimensional pocket structure to a three-dimensional spiral wound configuration around the exhaust conduit. This dimensional change eliminates folds while creating a compact assembly, allowing the membrane to maintain its separation function through the spiral geometry rather than through folded pockets.
2Ease of manufacture
If the membrane layer is folded to create a pocket-like structure, then the separator assembly can be manufactured with conventional porous exhaust conduits, but the folding causes direct contact between feed carrier layer and permeate carrier layer
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces the spiral wound configuration as an intermediary structure between the feed carrier layer and permeate carrier layer. This spiral arrangement acts as a geometric mediator that prevents direct contact between the feed and permeate streams while allowing controlled interaction through the membrane separation function, eliminating the harmful effect of uncontrolled contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented spiral winding of the membrane around the exhaust conduit creates distinct feed and permeate pathways that do not intersect. The segmentation of the membrane into continuous spiral layers ensures that feed and permeate carrier layers remain separated throughout the assembly, preventing direct contact while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
3Volume of moving object
If the membrane layer is folded, then the separator assembly can be compact, but the folding creates creases and folds that reduce membrane function
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a three-dimensional spiral winding configuration instead of two-dimensional folding to achieve compactness. The spiral geometry allows the membrane to be tightly wound around the exhaust conduit, minimizing the overall volume of the separator assembly while eliminating creases and folds that would compromise membrane integrity and separation precision.
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 enhances the robustness and efficiency of separator assemblies by preventing membrane damage, ensuring reliable operation, and reducing manufacturing costs through a design that minimizes folds and creases in the membrane layer, thereby improving the selection of operating conditions and ease of assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a first porous exhaust conduit (18) having a first exhaust channel (119) and a first set of openings (113) which allow fluid communication between an exterior surface of the first porous exhaust conduit (18) and the first exhaust channel (119)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention provides a central core element for separator assemblies useful in the purification of fluids, for example separator assemblies useful for the desalination of seawater. The central core element provided by the present invention comprises at least two porous exhaust conduits (18) wherein each porous exhaust conduit comprises an exhaust channel and one or more openings which allow fluid communication between an exterior surface of the porous exhaust conduit and the exhaust channel. The central core element defines a cavity into which may be disposed a first portion of a membrane stack assembly (110,112,116). In the preparation of a separator assembly comprising the central core element provided by the present invention, a second portion of the membrane stack assembly forms a multilayer membrane assembly disposed around the central core element. Also provided are central core elements for salt separator assemblies and spiral flow reverse osmosis devices.