摘要:
A frameless array unconfined in a modular shell, proves to be a surprisingly effective membrane device for withdrawing permeate from a substrate, the flux through the membranes reaching an essentially constant relatively high value because of the critical deployment of fibers of the array as a skein, arching in a buoyantly swayable generally parabolic configuration within the substrate, above at least one of the array's headers in which the terminal end portions of the fibers are potted. The length of each fiber must be greater than the direct center-to-center distance between the array's pair of headers. For use in a large reservoir, an assembly of the array and a gas distributor means has fibers preferably >0.5 meter long, which together provide a surface area >10 m2. The terminal end portions of fibers in each header are substantially free from fiber-to-fiber contact. When used in a tank from which the permeate is withdrawn at a location low enough to overcome the transmembrane pressure differential of the fibers, the permeate is withdrawn under a vacuum induced by gravity. To increase flux, a pump may be used which provides a suction less than 75 cm of Hg. When used in combination with a gas-distribution manifold disposed beneath the skein so as to flow bubbles through it, the surfaces of the fibers are surprisingly resistant to being fouled by build-up of deposits of inanimate particles or microorganisms in the substrate. Membranes with high transmembrane pressure differential may be used, if desired, and permeate removed with a vacuum pump.
摘要:
A self-contained, transportable reverse osmosis water purification unit has a limited throughput of no more than about 20 gpm (88 l/m) of permeate in a single pass operation with reverse osmosis ("RO") modules which can be cleaned in place. When raw water is particularly fouled, the unit is operated in a double pass operation in which the permeate from the first pass is used as feed for a second RO module. The unit, referred to as a "purification container" "PC" or an Air Deliverable Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit "ADROWPU" because the PC is air-deliverable, comprises an enclosed weathertight housing having a base on which the major components are removably mounted. For transportability, the PC has the overall dimensions of an ISO container, and is fitted with means to load and unload it on standard carriers. A high pressure pump is required to feed water freed from suspended solids to the RO modules. The pump also delivers concentrate to a bladder tank where the concentrate is stored under pressure (about 100 psig, about 6.9 bar) to flush a coarse filter automatically when it is plugged, which is often. Fine filters for solids removal are not plugged too often and can be replaced when the unit is not producing permeate. The ADROWPU is unique because of the economy of components used to produce a relatively large amount of permeate from any available raw water source. The placement of the components symmetrically about the center of mass of the PC is essential to allow the PC to be loaded and unloaded uneventfully, even if it is delivered by a helicopter.
摘要:
A tubular membrane module for use in ultrafiltration or microfiltration has a bundle of membrane tubes that extend between inlet and return headers. The inlet header is fixed to one end of a tubular housing having a permeate outlet while the return header is free to float longitudinally of the housing to accomodate dimensional changes in the tubes with respect to the housing. The tubes are sealed at their ends in sockets in respective potting collars but are mechanically secured and sealed to the headers. The sockets are undercut to protect the membranes from stripping due to fluid shear.
摘要:
A hollow gas transfer fibre is arranged in tows and potted into a module. The module may be used to treat wastewater by supplying hydrogen containing gas via the interior of the fibers to a biofilm present on an exterior surface of the fibers.
摘要:
A process and apparatus is described for filtering water with immersed membranes. In a batch process, permeate is withdrawn while the flow of feed is reduced or stopped at the end of a permeation cycle. The water level is reduced to a level where a portion of the membranes are exposed to air before draining the tank. In this or another process, the level of liquid is reduced to correspond with an area of the membrane fibers having an accumulation of solids. Aeration is provided for a period of time with the liquid at this level to dislodge at least a portion of the solids from the membranes. In these or other processes, the tank is partially drained between cycles to deconcentrate the tank, aeration is provided during backwashing and intermittently while permeating, and/or retentate is withdrawn from the tank during a portion of a permeation step.
摘要:
A spiral wound membrane filtration module is operated with a single pass through the feed side and without cross-flow on the permeate side. Recovery is 70% or more and feed side velocities are between 0.05 and 0.4 feet per second. The module may have dams in the spacer material on the shell/feed side to provide a feed path with multiple passes across the membrane leaves. A small-scale system for using such a module, for example to soften and filter water with a nanofiltration membrane, is described. The system includes a chemical cleaning apparatus and process. Multiple membrane materials can be used in order to adapt the module selectivity.
摘要:
A method of purifying impure water to provide drinking water using an apparatus, the method comprising the steps of providing a microfiltration unit, a reverse osmosis unit and a CIP (clean-in-place) tank containing retentate interconnected to permit backflushing the microfiltration filter with retentate and continued or uninterrupted operation of the reverse osmosis unit by directing retentate thereto.
摘要:
Limitation of the number of cassettes in an assembly currently used for the production of permeate is obviated by grouping plural cassettes into racks one or more of which may be isolated while permeate production from the remaining racks is uninterrupted. Ancillary functions such as back-pulsing, chemical cleaning and testing for defects in membranes ('integrity testing') in one or more racks may proceed while production of permeate continues. The number of racks in a bank is determined by the period of the overall filtration cycle, typically 15 min, in which filtration period the ancillary period is a minor portion, typically 30 sec. The racks make it possible to use automatic on/off valves which open and close quicker than larger ones. The resulting saving in time, energy, and equipment costs, which when back-pulsing with permeate is surprisingly economical, is even greater when a chemical cleaning solution is to be used. In addition, the saving in cost of equipment and avoiding the wear and tear of pumps which are intermittently stopped and started, produces unexpected economic benefits. For even greater savings in operating costs, a bank of cassettes, or a bank of racks may be operated with a 'gravity flow' system.
摘要:
An apparatus for withdrawing filtered permeate from a substrate is described. The apparatus has a header with a plurality of hollow fibre membranes extending from a first face of the header. Ends of the membranes are open to a receptacle for collecting permeate in fluid communication with a second face of the header. A portion of the substrate drawn into the lumens of the fibres as permeate may flow into the receptacle and be extracted through a permeate outlet of the receptacle. A pipe with holes for discharging bubbles near the first face of the header extends from the first face of the header from a location within the plurality of membranes. Holes may be located at various locations around the circumference of the pipe, at various locations along the length of the pipe or in arms extending outwards from the pipe. A system for withdrawing filtered permeate from a substrate held in a container at ambient pressure uses an apparatus as described above. The apparatus is immersed in the substrate such that the first face of the header is generally horizontal and the membranes extend generally vertically upwards from the first face of the header. A source of suction is applied to the permeate outlet and operated to withdraw permeate from the lumens of the membranes. An aeration system supplies pressurised gas to the pipe.