Fluid Flow Distribution Device

• US 20130037467A1
• Filed: 03/28/2011
• Published: 02/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Biltoft, Bruce Gregory, Cao, Zhiyi, Law, Jen Thai, Lazaredes, Huw Alexander
• Granted Patent: US 9,914,097 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/151
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2313/08 Flow guidance means within the module or the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2313/10 Specific supply elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2313/26 Specific gas distributors or gas intakes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2321/04 Backflushing
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2321/185 Aeration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/02 Hollow fibre modules
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 65/02 Membrane cleaning or sterilisation ; Membrane regeneration

Abstract

In a first membrane filtration module comprises a membrane module comprising a plurality of permeable hollow membranes; a fluid distribution device adapted to removably surround at least a portion of the membranes of the membrane module, the fluid distribution device comprising a plurality of through-hole openings for distributing a fluid, and the fluid distribution device adapted to distribute a flow of fluid along a surface of the permeable hollow membranes. In a second membrane filtration device comprises a membrane module comprising a plurality of permeable hollow membranes, each of the permeable hollow membranes having a surface; and a gas distribution device: adapted to distribute gas bubbles to the surface of the permeable hollow membrane, adapted to removably surround at least a portion of the plurality of permeable hollow membranes, and defining a plurality of through openings for distributing the gas bubbles to the membranes.

Claims

1. A membrane filtration module comprising:

a membrane module comprising a plurality of permeable hollow membranes; and

a fluid distribution device;

adapted to removably surround at least a portion of the membranes of the membrane module, defining a plurality of through-hole openings for distributing a fluid, and adapted to distribute a flow of the fluid along a surface of the permeable hollow membranes.

2. A membrane filtration device comprising:

a membrane module comprising a plurality of permeable hollow membranes, each of the permeable hollow membranes having a surface; and

a gas distribution device;

adapted to distribute gas bubbles to the surface of the permeable hollow membrane, adapted to removably surround at least a portion of the plurality of permeable hollow membranes, and defining a plurality of through openings for distributing the gas bubbles to the membranes.

3. A filtration system for removing fine solids from a liquid suspension comprising:

a vessel adapted to contain the liquid suspension;

a plurality of permeable, hollow membranes positioned within the vessel;

a first system adapted to provide a pressure differential across walls of the membranes, wherein some of the liquid suspension passes through the walls of the membranes to be drawn off as permeate;

a second system adapted to withdraw permeate from the membranes; and

a fluid distribution device for distributing a flow of fluid along the surfaces of the permeable, hollow membranes, the fluid distribution device adapted to removably surround at least a portion of the membranes, and defining a number of through openings for distributing the fluid.

4. The filtration system of claim 3, the permeable, hollow membranes arranged in an elongate bundle, and the fluid distribution device extends circumferentially around a portion of the bundle.

5. The filtration system of claim 4, the bundle of membranes extends between approximately vertical spaced upper and lower headers.

6. The filtration system of claim 5, the fluid distribution device extends around a portion of the bundle at or adjacent the lower header.

7. The filtration system of claim 3, the permeable, hollow membranes comprising hollow fibre membranes.

8. The filtration system of claim 3, the fluid distribution device having a ring-like configuration.

9. The filtration system of claim 8, the through openings evenly spaced along a circumference of the ring.

10. The filtration system of claim 8, the fluid distribution device formed from two or more detachable inter-engaging components.

11. The filtration system of claim 10, the fluid distribution device formed from a pair of semi-circular components.

12. The filtration system of claim 11, the fluid distribution device comprising a clip.

13. A filtration system for removing fine solids from a liquid suspension comprising:

a vessel adapted to contain the liquid suspension;

a plurality of permeable, hollow membranes positioned within the vessel;

a first system adapted to provide a pressure differential across walls of the membranes, wherein some of the liquid suspension passes through the walls of the membranes to be drawn off as permeate;

a second system adapted to withdraw permeate from the membranes; and

a gas distribution device for distributing gas in the form of bubbles to the surfaces of the permeable hollow membranes, the gas distribution device adapted to removably surround at least a portion of the membranes, and the gas distribution device defining a plurality of through openings for distributing the gas bubbles to the membranes.

14. The filtration system of claim 13, the permeable, hollow membranes arranged in an elongate bundle, and the gas distribution device extends circumferentially around a portion of the bundle.

15. The filtration system of claim 14, the bundle of membranes extends between approximately vertical spaced upper and lower headers.

16. The filtration system of claim 15, the gas distribution device extends around a portion of the bundle at or adjacent the lower header.

17. The filtration system of claim 13, the permeable, hollow membranes comprising hollow fibre membranes.

18. The filtration system of claim 13, the gas distribution device having a ring-like configuration.

19. The filtration system of claim 18, the through openings evenly spaced along a circumference of the ring.

20. The filtration system of claim 18, the gas distribution device formed from two or more detachable inter-engaging components formed from a pair of semi-circular components.