Series-Parallel Membrane Filtration Device for Pump Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of separation membrane modules increases in cross-flow filtration, the total flow rate of the cross-flow increases, leading to higher power costs for liquid supply pumps and larger equipment, including measuring gauges, and the equipment becomes more complex.
Innovation Solution
A filtration device with a series non-permeated liquid flow channel connecting the non-permeation sides of multiple separation membrane modules in series and a parallel permeated liquid flow channel connecting the permeation sides, along with a control device to manage filtration flow rates and transmembrane pressure differences across the modules, allowing for collective control of pressures and reducing equipment size and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of separation membrane modules is increased to handle larger filtration volumes, then the filtration capacity is improved, but the total cross-flow rate increases leading to higher power costs and larger equipment size
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the filtration process into multiple independent stages, with each stage handling a portion of the total feed flow. This segmentation allows each module to operate at optimized flow rates, avoiding the need to increase cross-flow rate proportionally with total capacity, thereby reducing power consumption per unit of filtration output
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-stage high-flow system to a multi-stage distributed system, adding the dimension of temporal and spatial distribution. By processing feed stock sequentially through multiple stages rather than simultaneously through one large system, the cross-flow rate at any given point remains manageable, reducing pump power requirements
2Productivity
If the number of separation membrane modules is increased to handle larger filtration volumes, then the filtration capacity is improved, but the equipment size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separation membrane modules are merged into a unified multi-stage system where stages are connected in series. The permeate from one stage becomes the feed for the next stage, creating an integrated process that achieves high filtration capacity while sharing common infrastructure such as pump systems and control mechanisms across all modules
Solution Approach 2:
Each separation membrane module is designed as a universal, interchangeable unit that can be replicated and configured in different stage arrangements. This modularity allows the system to achieve high capacity through standardization rather than custom design, reducing overall equipment complexity despite increased scale
3Reliability
If cross-flow filtration is used to remove sediments from membrane surface, then filtration efficiency is improved, but the flow rate of cross-flow increases leading to higher operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-flow filtration process is segmented into multiple stages, with each stage providing a portion of the total sediment removal function. This distributes the shearing force requirement across multiple smaller flow streams rather than requiring one large high-velocity flow, reducing total energy consumption while maintaining effective contaminant removal
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-stage configuration enables continuous cross-flow action across all stages simultaneously, maintaining constant sediment removal effectiveness throughout the system. This continuous distributed action is more energy-efficient than intermittent high-intensity flushing, as it maintains lower but sustained flow rates that prevent sediment accumulation without excessive energy input
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 reduces the cross-flow rate, simplifies equipment, and allows for efficient operation by sharing components among modules, thereby lowering operational costs and maintaining consistent filtration performance across multiple modules.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of separation membrane modules 10 each of which separates a liquid to be filtrated into a permeated liquid and a non-permeated liquid
Implementation Method 2
an effect of removing sediments on a separation membrane surface by the shearing force of a stream of cross-flow which is parallel to separation membranes
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to efficiently transport a filtration target liquid to a separation membrane module and to facilitate additional simplification of equipment in a filtration device including the separation membrane modules in which a plurality of lines thereof are disposed in series, a filtration device according to the present invention is a filtration device including a plurality of separation membrane modules each of which separates a liquid to be filtrated into a permeated liquid and a non-permeated liquid, in which the filtration device includes: a series non-permeated liquid flow channel that forms a series unit by connecting non-permeation sides of the plurality of separation membrane modules in series; and a parallel permeated liquid flow channel that forms a parallel unit by connecting permeation sides of the plurality of separation membrane modules in parallel.