CROSSFLOW FILTRATION SYSTEM WITH QUICK DRY CHANGE ELEMENTS

• US 20080237109A1
• Filed: 06/09/2008
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Marks, Nathan E., Fritze, Karl
• Granted Patent: US 7,736,504 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/194
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/302 having inlet or outlet ports
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/4015 Bayonet connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/153 Anti-leakage or anti-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/306 Filter mounting adapter
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/08 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/10 Accessories; Auxiliary operations
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/18 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/20 Accessories; Auxiliary operations
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/10 Spiral-wound membrane modules
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 65/00 Accessories or auxiliary operations, in general, for separation processes or apparatus using semi-permeable membranes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/44 by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis general membrane separation processes B01D61/00, membrane modules B01D63/00, electrodialysis C02F1/4693, combination of membrane modules and bioreactors C02F3/1268
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/441 by reverse osmosis
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/444 by ultrafiltration or microfiltration
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/006 Cartridges

Abstract

A crossflow filtration system including at least one quick dry change crossflow filtration cartridge designed to rotatably interface with a manifold assembly. The quick dry change crossflow filtration cartridge can comprise a membrane element, for example an ultrafiltration membrane, microfiltration membrane, nanofiltration membrane or reverse osmosis membrane element enclosed within a housing. The quick dry change cartridge includes an inlet stream, a permeate stream and a concentrate stream. The manifold assembly includes three similar flow paths; an inlet stream, a permeate stream and a concentrate stream. When engaged, the cartridge and manifold assembly define continuous inlet flow paths, permeate flow paths and concentrate flow paths that connect across the interface. Thus, all of the connections to the water filtration system can be made onto the manifold, and the resulting connected system is compact and easy to connect.

Claims

1. A crossflow cartridge filter comprising

a filter housing,

a crossflow filtration element, and

a filter cap, wherein the filter cap defines at least one feed throughbore, at least one permeate throughbore, and at least one concentrate bore, each respectively in fluid communication with a feed water flow circuit, a permeate flow circuit and a concentrate flow circuit passing within the cartridge filter;

wherein the filter cap is configured to sealingly attach to a connecting member on a compatible manifold assembly, wherein the connecting member comprises a feed outlet bore, a permeate throughbore, and a concentrate inlet bore, each complementary to a corresponding bore on the filter cap;

wherein respective fluid tight seals are maintained by at least one a permeate o-ring, at least one feed o-ring, and a least one concentrate o-ring;

wherein a permeate stream is isolated from a feed stream by the at least one permeate o-ring, the feed stream is isolated from the permeate stream and a concentrate stream between the at least one permeate o-ring and the at least one feed o-ring, and the concentrate stream is isolated from the feed stream between the at least one feed o-ring and the at least one concentrate o-ring;

wherein, upon breach of the at least one feed o-ring, the concentrate stream is recycled into the feed stream.

2. The crossflow cartridge filter of claim 1, wherein the filter cap comprises a substantially cylindrical cross-section and a longitudinal axis, wherein the feed and permeate throughbores are oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and where in the concentrate bore is oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.