Vibration-Driven Filtration Device With Flexible Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filtration devices face limitations in scalability and fouling prevention, particularly in continuous pressure and vibration-driven processes, which restrict their ability to efficiently filter a wide range of fluid volumes while maintaining high flux and cleanliness of the semipermeable membrane.
Innovation Solution
A filtration device with a flat vessel chamber and flexible gas-filled volume chambers that allow retentate to move tangentially relative to the membrane surface during vibration, utilizing a vibration motor to maintain membrane cleanliness and prevent fouling, and is scalable for both small and large volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If filter plates are used in vibration-driven filtration, then filtration functionality is achieved, but scalability is limited for both small and large volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is divided into multiple filter elements arranged in parallel within a single housing, allowing the system to be scaled by adding or removing filter elements rather than redesigning the entire structure. This segmentation enables adaptable filtration capacity from small to large volumes while maintaining a consistent basic construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure is designed to accommodate multiple filter elements and can be configured for different filtration volumes and applications. The same basic housing design serves universal purposes across a wide range of scales, eliminating the need for completely different constructions for small versus large volume filtration.
2Reliability
If the membrane is stationary during filtration, then the structure is simple, but fouling occurs on the membrane surface
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is subjected to mechanical vibration during operation, which creates dynamic flow patterns that prevent fouling deposits from adhering to the membrane surface. The vibration induces retentate movement that continuously cleans the membrane, maintaining high flux without requiring complex additional cleaning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtration system performs self-cleaning through the vibration-induced retentate flow that automatically removes fouling deposits from the membrane surface during operation. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate cleaning systems or停机 maintenance, improving reliability while keeping the structure relatively simple.
3Productivity
If high pressure is applied to increase flux, then filtration efficiency improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying continuous high pressure, the system uses periodic vibration to enhance filtration flux. The oscillating motion creates dynamic pressure variations that improve permeate flow without requiring sustained high pressure, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters from static high pressure to dynamic vibration with varying pressure. This parameter transformation allows the filtration process to achieve high flux through mechanical energy input rather than purely pressure-driven flow, improving energy efficiency while maintaining productivity.
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 device achieves continuous fouling-free filtration with high flux and efficiency across various fluid volumes, maintaining membrane cleanliness through the inertia-induced movement of retentate, and is scalable from small to large volumes using the same construction configuration.
Implementation Method 1
The inertia of the retentate will counter the move of the module creating a washing of the membrane surface by the retentate
Implementation Method 2
said filtration device comprises a vibration motor being adapted to provide a vibrating motion to the device
Implementation Method 3
continuous pressure and vibration driven filtration
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a filtration device being adapted for continuous vibration and pressure driven filtration. Said filtration device comprises a filter module which comprises at least one flat vessel chamber, said vessel chamber further comprises a semipermeable membrane covering a drain area, an inlet for feed fluid, an outlet for permeate and an outlet for retentate; said vessel chamber further comprises one or more flexible volume chambers being filled with gas and in close contact with but separated from the internal vessel chamber of the filter module through a flexible wall; said filtration device comprises a vibration motor being adapted to provide a vibrating motion to the device.