Apparatus and method for cleaning membrane filtration modules
First Claim
1. A membrane module comprising a plurality of porous hollow membrane fibers mounted at a first end to a first potting head and at a second end to a second potting head and extending longitudinally between the potting heads, the membranes having a plurality of pores, the membrane fibers being arranged in close proximity to one another and mounted to prevent excessive movement therebetween, the fibers being partitioned into three or more bundles at least at or adjacent to one of the potting heads so as to form a space therebetween, at least one of the potting heads having a plurality of aeration openings formed in an array, wherein the bundles comprise a wedge-shaped cross section, and wherein the bundles are arranged in an configuration comprising a circular cross section.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for cleaning a membrane module, the membrane module having a plurality of porous membranes, the membranes being arranged in close proximity to one another and mounted to prevent excessive movement therebetween and means for providing, from within the module, by means other than gas passing through the pores of the membranes, gas bubbles entrained in a liquid flow such that, in use, the liquid and bubbles entrained therein move past the surfaces of the membranes to dislodge fouling materials therefrom, the gas bubbles being entrained in the liquid by flowing the liquid past a source of gas to draw the gas into the liquid flow. The gas bubbles are preferably entrained into the liquid using a venturi type device. The membranes are preferably partitioned into discrete groups to assist cleaning while maintaining high packing density.
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Citations
18 Claims
- 1. A membrane module comprising a plurality of porous hollow membrane fibers mounted at a first end to a first potting head and at a second end to a second potting head and extending longitudinally between the potting heads, the membranes having a plurality of pores, the membrane fibers being arranged in close proximity to one another and mounted to prevent excessive movement therebetween, the fibers being partitioned into three or more bundles at least at or adjacent to one of the potting heads so as to form a space therebetween, at least one of the potting heads having a plurality of aeration openings formed in an array, wherein the bundles comprise a wedge-shaped cross section, and wherein the bundles are arranged in an configuration comprising a circular cross section.
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17. A membrane module comprising a plurality of porous hollow membrane fibers mounted at a first end to a first potting head and at a second end to a second potting head and extending longitudinally between the potting heads, the membranes having a plurality of pores, the membrane fibers being arranged in close proximity to one another and mounted to prevent excessive movement therebetween, the fibers being partitioned into two or more bundles at least at or adjacent to one of the potting heads so as to form one or more spaces therebetween, at least one of the potting heads having a plurality of aeration openings formed in an array, wherein each space comprises a cross section comprising two parallel sides.
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18. A membrane module comprising a plurality of porous hollow membrane fibers mounted at a first end to a first potting head and at a second end to a second potting head and extending longitudinally between the potting heads, the membranes having a plurality of pores, the membrane fibers being arranged in close proximity to one another and mounted to prevent excessive movement therebetween, the fibers being partitioned into two or more bundles at least at or adjacent to one of the potting heads so as to form a space therebetween, at least one of the potting heads having a plurality of aeration openings formed in an array, wherein the bundles comprise a circular cross section.
Specification