Spiral Wound Filtration Module Fabrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spiral wound filtration modules are limited in length due to the standardization of membrane sheet roll widths, restricting their application in fluid separations beyond 1.5 meters due to material supply and handling challenges.
Innovation Solution
A method for fabricating spiral wound modules by removing rectangular sections from membrane sheets, overlaying and sealing them to form a membrane envelope, which is then wound around a permeate collection tube, allowing for longer modules without the constraints of conventional roll widths, using conventional support materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If membrane sheets are made from wider rolls to increase module length, then module length increases, but material handling becomes difficult and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane envelope is constructed from multiple rectangular sections of membrane sheet that are removed from conventional width rolls (e.g., 1 meter wide). These sections are arranged and sealed together to form the envelope, allowing the module length to exceed the roll width without requiring wider rolls. This segmentation enables use of standard material handling equipment while achieving longer module lengths.
2Area of stationary object
If module length is increased beyond 1 meter, then active membrane area increases, but the number of glue lines increases reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing module length by using wider rolls (one dimension), the invention uses multiple rectangular sections arranged in a segmented pattern along the length. This approach adds complexity in the arrangement dimension while maintaining conventional roll widths, thereby increasing active membrane area without proportionally increasing the number of sealing locations that would reduce effectiveness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional support materials from standard rolls are used, then material availability is good, but module length is limited to about 1 meter
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the membrane envelope into multiple rectangular sections that can be fabricated from conventional width rolls (e.g., 1 meter wide). By arranging and sealing these sections together, the module length can exceed 1 meter while still using readily available standard roll materials, thus maintaining material availability while achieving greater length.
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
Enables the production of longer modules with increased active membrane surface area and reduced glue lines, enhancing filtration efficiency for applications beyond standard module lengths.
Implementation Method 1
each comprising a semi-permeable membrane layer which is coated, cast or otherwise applied upon a support layer
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed toward spiral wound modules along with methods for making and using the same. Several embodiments are described including methods for making spiral wound filtration modules using membrane sheet provided from a roll, wherein the membrane sheet is unrolled and assembled in a direction parallel to the permeate collection tube of the module.