Frame System for Membrane Filtration Modules

• US 20110127209A1
• Filed: 07/29/2009
• Published: 06/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC (Xylem, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies Corp (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: McMahon, Robert James, Biltoft, Bruce Gregory, Rogers, Peter, Collingnon, Michael, Polson, James W., Bowmer, Stephen, Lazaredes, Huw Alexander
• Granted Patent: US 8,382,981 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/322
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2313/06 External membrane module supporting or fixing means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2315/06 Submerged-type; Immersion type
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/18 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/046 in separate housings
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 65/00 Accessories or auxiliary operations, in general, for separation processes or apparatus using semi-permeable membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 69/10 Supported membranes; Membrane supports
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49904 Assembling a subassembly, then assembling with a second subassembly

Abstract

A module arrangement (5) according to an embodiment of the invention consists of a plurality of membrane modules (6) arranged in a two dimensional array (7) and extending between upper and lower block-type manifolds (8) and (9), respectively. The array of modules is further divided into sub-groups of modules (10) separated from each other by space (11) extending transversely across the membrane array (7). An integrated support frame (12) is positioned in the space (11) between the sub-groups (10) and is fixed to the upper and lower manifold blocks (8) and (9) to form an integrated support structure within the module array (7).

Claims

1. A filtration system comprising:

a plurality of membrane modules arranged in a membrane module array, wherein the membrane module array is divided into membrane module array sub-groups by a spacing between numbers of modules within the membrane module array; and

an integrated support member located within said spacing to support said membrane module array.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the membrane modules extend to between first and second fluid communicating manifolds and the support member is connected to at least one of said manifolds to support said membrane module array.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein the manifolds comprise upper and lower manifolds and the membrane modules extend generally vertically is therebetween.

4. A system according to claim 2 wherein a number of the support members are connected together to form a support structure.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein membrane modules comprise bundles of hollow fibre membranes extending between spaced headers.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein the system is a pressurised membrane filtration system.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein the system is a non-pressurised submersed membrane filtration system.

8. A method for providing structural support to an array of membrane filtration modules in a filtration system, the method comprising the steps of:

forming a number of sub-groups of modules within the array of filtration modules by providing a spacing between a number of modules forming a sub-group;

locating a structural support member within the spacing between adjacent sub-groups.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the membrane modules extend between first and second fluid communicating manifolds and the support member is connected to at least one of said manifolds to support said membrane module array.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the manifolds comprise upper and lower manifolds and the membrane modules extend generally vertically therebetween.

11. A method according to claim 9 further comprising connecting together wherein a number of the support members thereby form a support structure.

12. A method according to claim 8 wherein membrane modules comprise bundles of hollow fibre membranes extending between spaced headers.

13. A method according to claim 8 wherein the filtration system is a pressurised membrane filtration system.

14. A method according to claim 8 wherein the filtration system is a non-pressurised submersed membrane filtration system.