Staggered Membrane Filter Cartridge for Subsea Weight Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing membrane filter designs for subsea applications are cumbersome, heavy, and inefficient due to their large size and weight, which complicates handling and installation, and they often require multiple vessels with complex seals and flanges, limiting their ability to accommodate multiple levels of membrane filters.
Innovation Solution
A filter device comprising a common inlet manifold and a common outlet manifold connected to multiple elongated membrane filter units arranged in a staggered configuration along a longitudinal axis, allowing for multiple membrane filter units to be packaged as a single unitary cartridge for easier installation and reduced weight, with the option to connect these units in series or parallel within a pressure vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple membrane filters are arranged in separate vessels with complex seals and flanges, then the filtration capacity is increased, but the weight and size of the system increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple membrane filter units are merged into a single integrated filter device with a common housing, common inlet manifold, and common outlet manifold. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate vessels, complex interconnecting flanges, and multiple seal sets, thereby significantly reducing overall system weight while maintaining high filtration capacity through the inclusion of multiple filter units.
Solution Approach 2:
The common inlet manifold and common outlet manifold serve multiple filter units simultaneously, providing a multi-functional connection system. These manifolds distribute fluid to and collect fluid from multiple membrane filter units, replacing the need for individual piping and connection components for each filter, thus reducing weight and simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple membrane filters are arranged in separate vessels, then the filtration capacity is increased, but the system complexity and handling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple membrane filter units are merged into a single integrated filter device with a common housing, common inlet manifold, and common outlet manifold. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate vessels, complex interconnecting flanges, and multiple seal sets, thereby significantly reducing overall system weight while maintaining high filtration capacity through the inclusion of multiple filter units.
Solution Approach 2:
The common inlet manifold and common outlet manifold serve multiple filter units simultaneously, providing a multi-functional connection system. These manifolds distribute fluid to and collect fluid from multiple membrane filter units, replacing the need for individual piping and connection components for each filter, thus reducing weight and simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Quantity of substance
If membrane filters are placed horizontally or vertically in large groups, then the filtration capacity is increased, but the footprint and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple membrane filter units are nested within a single common housing structure, with filter units arranged in a compact configuration around a central axis. The staggered arrangement allows filter units to be positioned at different angular positions, maximizing space utilization within the housing and achieving high filtration capacity in a compact footprint suitable for subsea applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter units are arranged in a staggered configuration around a central axis, utilizing three-dimensional space efficiently. Instead of placing filters in a simple linear or planar arrangement, the staggered angular positioning around the central axis allows multiple filter units to be packed into a compact cylindrical housing, dramatically reducing the footprint while maintaining high filtration capacity.
4Area of stationary object
If multiple membrane filter units are arranged in a staggered configuration, then the footprint is reduced, but the conduit length and fluid flow path increase
Solution Approach 1:
The common inlet manifold and common outlet manifold serve multiple filter units simultaneously, providing a multi-functional connection system. These manifolds distribute fluid to and collect fluid from multiple membrane filter units, replacing the need for individual piping and connection components for each filter, thus reducing weight and simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple membrane filter units are nested within a single common housing structure, with filter units arranged in a compact configuration around a central axis. The staggered arrangement allows filter units to be positioned at different angular positions, maximizing space utilization within the housing and achieving high filtration capacity in a compact footprint suitable for subsea applications.
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 overall weight and size of the filtration system, enabling more compact and efficient subsea installations with reduced downtime and increased operational windows, while allowing for multiple levels of membrane filters within a smaller footprint, thus addressing the limitations of prior art designs.
Implementation Method 1
A membrane filter comprises one or more membranes (thin sheets or films) having specific pore sizes. When a fluid (e.g., a gas or a liquid) is forced against the membrane, particles larger than the pore size are retained, while the remaining fluid particles are allowed to permeate through the membrane pores.
Implementation Method 2
When a fluid (e.g., a gas or a liquid) is forced against the membrane, particles larger than the pore size are retained, while the remaining fluid particles are allowed to permeate through the membrane pores.
Data Source
AI summary
A filter device includes an inlet manifold, an outlet manifold and membrane filter units. Each membrane filter unit has an inlet opening for a fluid flow to be processed, a first outlet opening for a retentate portion of the fluid flow, and a second outlet opening for a remaining portion of the fluid flow. Each inlet opening is fluidly connected to the inlet manifold, and each first outlet opening is fluidly connected to the outlet manifold. The two membrane filter units are staggered and are not axially aligned with respect to each other. One of the membrane filter units is fluidly connected to the inlet manifold and to the outlet manifold via a first set of conduits, and the other membrane filter unit is fluidly connected to the inlet manifold and to the outlet manifold via a second set of conduits.