Dynamic Filtration Device Using Centrifugal Force

• US 20100044309A1
• Filed: 08/10/2009
• Published: 02/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brent Lee
• Original Assignee: Brent Lee
• Inventors: LEE, Brent
• Granted Patent: US 8,048,307 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/636
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2313/08 Flow guidance means within the module or the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2315/02 Rotation or turning
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2323/283 Reducing the pores
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0041 for feeding
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 50/20 Combinations of devices covered by groups B01D45/00 and B01D46/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/18 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/06 Tubular membrane modules
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/16 Rotary, reciprocated or vibrated modules
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 67/0088 Physical treatment with compounds, e.g. swelling, coating or impregnation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0402 Cleaning, repairing, or assembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a filtration system having one or more apparatuses for filtering gases, liquids, or fluids (e.g., water) to remove particulate matter, and methods of making and using the apparatus. More particularly, embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for applying centrifugal force(s) to push a fluid or gas to be filtered through a porous membrane or filter within the apparatus to separate particulate matter therefrom. The present invention takes advantage of the Coriolis effect within a cylindrical filter radiating out from a rotating central body. The filtration apparatus provides an energy efficient system for microfiltration (or other filtration process) to remove contaminants from gases and fluids, such as waste water.

Claims

1. A filtration system, having one or more apparatuses comprising:

an inlet adapted to receive an influent to be filtered;

a rotating central body having an influent distribution unit therein, the influent distribution unit having a central receiving pipe adapted to receive the influent and a plurality of delivery pipes extending radially from the central receiving pipe;

a plurality of filters, arranged circumferentially around the central body, each attached to one of the plurality of delivery pipes and each having an inlet configured to receive the influent from one of the plurality of delivery pipes, a distal end through which a concentrate passes, and one or more tubular porous membranes with a pore diameter of up to about 500 μ

m;

one or more outer chambers, each surrounding one or more of the filters, each outer chamber being configured to collect a permeate passing through the filter(s);

a plurality of permeate collection pipes, each attached to one of the outer chambers and configured to transport permeate away from the outer chamber;

a plurality of concentrate collection pipes, each attached to a distal end of either one of the filters or one of the outer chambers, and configured to transport concentrate away from the filter; and

a drive mechanism or motor configured to rotate said central body and the filters.

2. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of delivery pipes extend radially from the central receiving pipe in an evenly distributed arrangement.

3. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis of each of the plurality of filters is aligned with one of the plurality of delivery pipes.

4. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of filters further comprises a screw-shaped or spiral insert in the tubular porous membrane(s).

5. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein the membrane includes an outer support layer having holes to allow the permeate to flow into the one or more outer chambers, wherein the one or more porous membranes are attached to the outer support layer.

6. The filtration system of claim 5, wherein the one or more porous membranes have a pore diameter in a range of about 0.1 to 10 μ

m.

7. The filtration system of claim 5, wherein the one or more porous membranes each has a pore diameter in a range of about 0.01 to 0.1 μ

m.

8. The filtration system of claim 5, further comprising a thin metal layer on the each of the metal filters that narrows openings of the pores therein.

9. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein each outer chamber comprises a permeate collection chamber configured to collect the permeate from the filter.

10. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein each of the outer chambers includes a concentrate outlet pipe configured to drain or remove the concentrate from the cylindrical filter.

11. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein the distal end of each filter is connected to a distal chamber inside a corresponding one of the outer chambers.

12. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises water.

13. The filtration system of claim 1, comprising a plurality of the apparatuses, wherein each of the inlets receive influent from a common source, each of the apparatuses comprises a permeate collection chamber configured to collect the permeate from the plurality of outlet pipes, and the system further comprises a collection pipe receiving permeate from each of the permeate collection chambers.

14. A method of filtering an influent, the method comprising:

delivering the influent into one or more filtration units having a central body and a distribution unit therein configured to deliver the influent to a plurality of filters extending radially from the central body, each of the plurality of filters having a distal end through which a concentrate passes and one or more porous tubular membranes having a pore diameter of up to about 500 μ

m;

rotating the central body at a rate sufficient to filter said influent through the one or more porous membranes; and

collecting a permeate in one or more outer chambers surrounding the cylindrical filters.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the rate at which the central body is rotated is sufficient to cause the influent within each of the plurality of filters to rotate or spin around a longitudinal axis of the filter.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more porous tubular membranes have a pore size in a range of about 0.1 to 10 μ

m.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the central body is rotated at a speed in a range of about 100 to 3000 RPM.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the influent comprises water.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising cleaning the plurality of filters.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein cleaning the plurality of cylindrical filters comprises passing a cleaning influent from an exterior of each cylindrical filter to an interior of each cylindrical filter.

21. A method of making a filtration apparatus, comprising:

attaching each of a plurality of filters circumferentially to a corresponding plurality of delivery pipes extending radially from a central receiving pipe in a central body, each of the filters having a distal end adapted to pass a concentrate therethrough and one or more porous tubular membranes with a pore diameter of up to about 500 μ

m; and

placing one or more outer chambers around one or more of the filters, each outer chamber being configured to collect a permeate passing through the filter(s);

attaching a first outlet pipe to each of the outer chambers, the first outlet pipe being adapted to collect the permeate;

attaching a second outlet pipe to either the distal end of the filter or a distal end of the outer chambers, the second outlet pipe being adapted to collect the concentrate; and

operationally joining a drive mechanism or motor to the central body, the drive mechanism or motor being configured to rotate the central body.