Ultrafiltration Plate With Ventilation Branches For Air Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrafiltration systems face challenges in achieving optimal air flow distribution to filtration modules without losing filtration capacity or increasing manufacturing costs, particularly in multi-element vessel (MEV) systems.
Innovation Solution
The ultrafiltration equipment features a plate with an upper and lower half-plate, where air and water are introduced through feed holes, and ventilation branches ensure homogeneous air distribution to all modules, eliminating the need for additional chambers and connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lower chamber with air pocket is used to introduce washing air into modules, then air distribution to modules is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to additional flanges, plates, and connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex lower chamber structure, flanges, and connector sleeves from the system. Instead, it uses a simplified plate with integrated feed holes that directly introduce air and water to module lower ends, removing unnecessary components while maintaining air distribution functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the air introduction function and water introduction function into a single integrated plate structure with feed holes. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate lower chambers, flanges, and connector sleeves, simplifying the overall device structure while achieving the same air distribution effect
2Reliability
If flanges and connector sleeves are used to seal and attach modules to the lower chamber, then air distribution is ensured, but manufacturing cost and material consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the expensive flanges and connector sleeves from the design. The plate with integrated feed holes directly attaches to the support structure without requiring these additional sealing components, significantly reducing material consumption and manufacturing cost while maintaining reliable air distribution
3Productivity
If modules are interconnected at lower and upper parts in a pressure vessel, then filtration area is maximized, but air introduction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the air introduction function with the existing module interconnection structure. The plate with feed holes is integrated into the support structure where modules are already interconnected, allowing air to be introduced directly to all module lower ends without requiring separate air distribution mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The plate structure serves multiple functions: it supports the interconnected modules, introduces water to the modules through feed holes, and distributes air to all module lower ends. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate air introduction components while maintaining module interconnection and maximizing filtration area
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 ensures all modules receive equal air flow, facilitating effective cleaning without reducing filtration capacity, and simplifies assembly and manufacturing, reducing costs and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
pressurised air is introduced to agitate the membranes, generating turbulence that helps remove particles deposited on the membranes
Implementation Method 2
By introducing air into the lower chamber, as it is sealed, since this air cannot escape through the plate, an air pocket is formed until it reaches a point in the nozzle where there is a hole through which the air flows into each module
Implementation Method 3
During this washing process, the filtration process is temporarily stopped and filtered water is introduced back into the modules. The filtered water flows through the fibres (membranes) in the direction opposite to the filtration direction, which helps to entrain the particles deposited on the filtration surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3A
Figure 3B
AI summary
Ultrafiltration equipment with a plate (3) and filtration modules (6) attached to it. Water and air are introduced into the modules (6) through feed holes (7) on the plate (3). The plate (3) has air outlet openings (11) connected to the feed holes (7) and to inlet through holes (10) that receive an air stream; and it has ventilation branches (9) comprising outlet through holes (12) connected to the air outlet openings (11). The air stream entering through the inlet through holes (10) travels through the ventilation branches (9) to the outlet through holes (12) and from there passes to the air outlet openings (11), which communicate with the feed holes (7) and, from there, passes to the filtration modules (6).