METHOD OF CLEANING MEMBRANES
First Claim
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1. A method for cleaning a porous polymeric membrane, comprising:
- introducing a first cleaning solution including an oxidising agent to a tank containing the membrane;
contacting at least a portion of the membrane with the first cleaning solution for a first time period;
introducing a second cleaning solution including a reducing agent to the tank containing the membrane and the first cleaning solution after the first time period has elapsed to neutralize an oxidizing residual of the first cleaning solution and to form a mixed cleaning solution containing an acid species;
contacting at least a portion of the membrane with the mixed cleaning solution containing the acid species for a second time period; and
discharging the mixed cleaning solution from the tank after the second time period has elapsed.
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Abstract
Methods for cleaning polymeric microfiltration or ultrafiltration membranes. The membrane may be contacted with a first cleaning solution including at least one oxidising agent. A second cleaning solution including at least one reducing agent may then be introduced to the membrane and first cleaning solution. The oxidising and reducing agents may undergo a neutralisation reaction to form an oxidation-neutral mixed cleaning solution. The membrane may be simultaneously cleaned during the neutralisation reaction.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for cleaning a porous polymeric membrane, comprising:
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introducing a first cleaning solution including an oxidising agent to a tank containing the membrane; contacting at least a portion of the membrane with the first cleaning solution for a first time period; introducing a second cleaning solution including a reducing agent to the tank containing the membrane and the first cleaning solution after the first time period has elapsed to neutralize an oxidizing residual of the first cleaning solution and to form a mixed cleaning solution containing an acid species; contacting at least a portion of the membrane with the mixed cleaning solution containing the acid species for a second time period; and discharging the mixed cleaning solution from the tank after the second time period has elapsed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of facilitating cleaning of a porous polymeric membrane in place, comprising:
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providing a first cleaning solution including at least one oxidising agent and a second cleaning solution including at least one reducing agent; and providing instructions to; contact at least a portion of the membrane with the first cleaning solution for a first time period to target organic membrane foulants; introduce the second cleaning solution to the first cleaning solution after the first time period has elapsed to form a mixed cleaning solution containing an acid species; and contact at least a portion of the membrane with the mixed cleaning solution containing the acid species for a second time period to target inorganic membrane foulants. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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Specification