Scouring method

• US 20040145076A1
• Filed: 01/15/2004
• Published: 07/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1996
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Clinton V. Kopp, Fufang Zha, Robert J. Mcmahon, Thomas W. Beck, Warren T. Johnson
• Original Assignee: Clinton V. Kopp, Fufang Zha, Robert J. Mcmahon, Thomas W. Beck, Warren T. Johnson
• Inventors: McMahon, Robert J., Zha, Fufang, Johnson, Warren T., Beck, Thomas W., Kopp, Clinton V.
• Application Number:
  US10/759,560
• Publication Number:
  US 20040145076A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 264/138
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2315/06 Submerged-type; Immersion type
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2321/04 Backflushing
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2321/16 Use of chemical agents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2321/168 Use of other chemical agents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2321/185 Aeration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2321/2058 by vibration of the membrane, e.g. with an actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/18 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/0221 using a mould
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/0241 being U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/16 Rotary, reciprocated or vibrated modules
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 65/02 Membrane cleaning or sterilisation ; Membrane regeneration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 65/08 Prevention of membrane fouling or of concentration polarisation

Abstract

A method and apparatus for removing fouling materials from the surface of a plurality of porous membranes (9) arranged in a membrane module (4) by providing, from within the module, by means (10) other than gas passing through the pores of said membranes, gas bubbles in a uniform distribution relative to the porous membrane array such that the bubbles move past the surfaces of the membranes (9) to dislodge fouling materials therefrom. The membranes (9) are arranged in close proximity to one another and mounted to prevent excessive movement therebetween. The bubbles also produce vibration and rubbing together of the membranes to further assist removal of fouling materials.

Claims

1. A method for forming at least one opening in a membrane pot, the method comprising:

providing at least one membrane, the membrane having at least one membrane end;

providing a mould for potting the membrane end, the mould having provided therein at least one formation for forming at least one opening in a membrane pot;

filling the mould with a curable potting material;

positioning the membrane end in the mould;

allowing the potting material to at least partially cure, whereby the membrane ends are secured in a membrane pot; and

demoulding the membrane pot, the membrane pot having at least one opening.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

mounting the mould on a vertically movable platform.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the formation comprises at least one upstanding pin mounted in a base of the mould.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein demoulding the membrane pot comprises raising a central ejector portion of the mould, whereby the membrane pot is ejected from the mould.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

heating the mould to assist curing of the curable potting material.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

centrifuging the mould to assist penetration of the curable potting material into membrane fiber walls.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

fitting a guide or collar around a periphery of the mould.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the mould comprises a base having a plurality of upstanding pins.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the upstanding pins are sized and distributed for correct gas bubble distribution.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

positioning a plurality of membrane ends in the mould, wherein the membranes comprise hollow fiber membranes.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the membrane ends are positioned uniformly in the mould.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

sealing the membrane ends.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the membrane ends are uniformly distributed in relation to at least one opening.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

positioning the membranes in a sleeve that holds the membranes; and

inserting the membranes into a guide or collar around a periphery of the mould.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein filling the mould with a curable potting material is conducted prior to positioning the membrane ends in the mould.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

fanning the membrane ends prior to positioning the membrane ends in the mould.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

trimming the membrane ends to provide a uniform membrane length.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

cutting the membrane pot transversely to open the membrane ends to facilitate withdrawal of filtrate from lumens during operation.

19. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

positioning a plurality of membrane ends in the mould so as to form an array.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the array is a cylindrical array.