Transverse Membrane Filtration Air Diffuser
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional membrane filtration methods face challenges with fouling, particularly when wastewater is fed in a horizontal direction, leading to uneven air distribution and ineffective cleaning of the membrane surface, resulting in reduced efficiency and potential malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A transverse-mounted membrane filtration apparatus with a shelf-shaped air diffuser device that feeds air uniformly across the entire membrane surface by using inclined shelf boards and strategically positioned air-feeding ports to ensure even air distribution, preventing fouling and maintaining membrane performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air is fed to wash the membrane element in a horizontal flow path, then fouling removal is achieved, but air distribution becomes uneven and cleaning effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The air diffuser device is divided into multiple air feeding ports arranged in the vertical direction, with each port responsible for feeding air to a specific region of the membrane element surface. This segmentation ensures that air is distributed uniformly across the entire membrane surface, preventing localized fouling and maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces vertical arrangement of air feeding ports to complement the horizontal flow path. By distributing air ports in the vertical dimension, the system achieves three-dimensional air distribution that covers the entire membrane surface area, solving the problem of uneven air distribution in horizontal flow configurations.
2Productivity
If the membrane module is immersed in wastewater for solid-liquid separation, then filtration efficiency is improved, but maintenance labor increases due to complete water drainage requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane module is extracted from the wastewater environment and installed in a separate filtration chamber. This allows the membrane to be maintained and cleaned without draining the entire aeration tank, significantly reducing maintenance labor while preserving filtration efficiency through controlled cross-flow filtration.
Solution Approach 2:
A cross-flow filtration system is introduced as an intermediary between the wastewater in the aeration tank and the membrane module. This intermediary system allows continuous filtration without direct immersion, enabling maintenance operations without complete water drainage while maintaining high separation efficiency.
3Productivity
If cross-flow filtration is used with horizontal membrane orientation, then filtration capability is improved, but fouling occurs more readily on the membrane surface
Solution Approach 1:
Air is fed preliminarily through multiple ports before the wastewater reaches the membrane surface, creating a protective air layer that prevents direct contact between foulants and the membrane. This preliminary air distribution action reduces fouling accumulation while maintaining effective cross-flow filtration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal flow path, which normally promotes fouling, is combined with vertical air port arrangement to create beneficial air circulation patterns. The air flow counteracts the harmful effect of horizontal flow by providing upward buoyant forces that prevent fouling accumulation, converting a potentially harmful configuration into an effective filtration system.
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 apparatus effectively prevents fouling by ensuring uniform air distribution across the membrane surface, reducing the need for frequent washing or replacement and enhancing the filtration process's efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a gas-feeding unit (12) feeding a gas to the raw water for washing the membrane element through a gas-feeding port (12a, 12b, 12c) provided at a bottom portion of a flow path of the shelf-shaped member (11)
Implementation Method 2
a shelf board (11i) at a lowermost position of the shelf-shaped member (11) is inclined toward a side of the end surface of the membrane element (3a) in a vertically upper direction so that the shelf board (11i) at the lowermost position of the shelf-shaped board member (11) along a vertical direction disperses the air blown out from the gas-feeding port (12a) into an air to be forced into a flow path of a lower region of the end surface of the membrane element (3a) by a predetermined ratio through a gap between the shelf-shaped member (11) and the end surface of the membrane element (3a) and an air to be detoured from an upstream side of the shelf-shaped member (11) and forced into a flow path of an upper region of a rest of the end surface of the membrane element (3a)
Data Source
AI summary
A transverse-mounted membrane filtration apparatus includes an air diffuser device including a shelf-shaped member and a gas-feeding unit, the shelf-shaped member including a plurality of shelf boards being arranged in a flow path segment at an immediate upstream of an end surface of a membrane element with a predetermined distance from the end surface of the membrane element and covering an entire flow path of the membrane element along a vertical direction, the gas-feeding unit feeding a gas to the raw water for washing the membrane element through a gas-feeding port provided at a bottom portion of a flow path of the shelf-shaped member. Herein a shelf board at a lowermost position of the shelf-shaped member is inclined toward a side of the end surface of the membrane element in a vertically upper direction.