FILTER MODULE WITH END CAPS INCLUDING INTEGRAL VALVES

• US 20160106296A1
• Filed: 06/09/2013
• Published: 04/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC (Dow, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC (Dow, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cai, Jie, Chen, Bin, Guo, Yongjin, Wang, Chengfeng, Fan, Liangzhou
• Application Number:
  US14/783,211
• Publication Number:
  US 20160106296A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4206 Tubular filters
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4208 Arrangements to prevent clogging of the filters, e.g. self-cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2313/18 Specific valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2313/21 Specific headers, end caps
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2313/26 Specific gas distributors or gas intakes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2319/04 Elements in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2321/04 Backflushing
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2321/18 Use of gases
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2321/185 Aeration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/031 Two or more types of hollow fibres within one bundle or within one potting or tube-sheet
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/032 More than two tube sheets for one bundle
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/04 comprising multiple hollow fibre assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 65/02 Membrane cleaning or sterilisation ; Membrane regeneration
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/444 by ultrafiltration or microfiltration
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/002 Grey water, e.g. from clothes washers, showers or dishwashers
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/083 Liquid discharge or recirculation arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/10 Filtering arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/20 Arrangements for water recovery

Abstract

Provided is a filter module which includes: i) an elongated housing extending along an axis between a first and second end and defining an inner chamber; ii) a plurality of hollow fiber membranes comprising a semi-permeable cylindrical wall enclosing a lumen, wherein the membranes extend axially within the inner chamber between the first and second end; iii) a first end cap assembly comprising: a base secured to the first end of the housing, a feed port defining a passageway in fluid communication with the inner chamber, and a gas port adapted for connection to a source of pressurized gas and defining a passageway in fluid communication with the inner chamber; and iv) a second end cap assembly comprising: a base secured to the second end of the housing, a permeate port defining a passageway in fluid communication the lumens of the hollow fiber membranes, and a purge port defining a passageway in fluid communication with the inner chamber. The first end cap assembly includes an integral valve for controlling fluid flow through at least one of the gas port and feed port, and the second end cap assembly includes an integral valve for controlling fluid flow through at least one of the permeate port and purge port.

Claims

1. A filter module (10) comprising:

i) an elongated housing (12) extending along an axis (X) between a first (14) and second (16) end and defining an inner chamber (18),

ii) a plurality of hollow fiber membranes (20) comprising a semi-permeable cylindrical wall enclosing a lumen, wherein the membranes extend axially within the inner chamber (18) between the first (14) and second (16) end,

iii) a first end cap assembly (22) comprising;

a base (24) secured to the first end (14) of the housing (12),

a feed port (26) defining a passageway in fluid communication with the inner chamber (18),

and a gas port (28) adapted for connection to a source of pressurized gas and defining a passageway in fluid communication with the inner chamber (18),

iv) a second end cap assembly (30) comprising;

a base (32) secured to the second end (16) of the housing (12),

a permeate port (34) defining a passageway in fluid communication the lumens of the hollow fiber membranes (20), and

a purge port (36) defining a passageway in fluid communication with the inner chamber (18);

wherein the module (10) is characterized by the first end cap assembly (22) including an integral valve (38) for controlling fluid flow through at least one of the gas port (28) and feed port (26), and the second end cap assembly (30) including an integral valve (40) for controlling fluid flow through at least one of the permeate port (34) and purge port (36).

2. The module of claim 1 wherein the first end cap assembly includes an integral valve for controlling fluid flow through the gas port (28) and the second end cap assembly includes an integral valve for controlling fluid flow through the purge port (36).

3. The module of claim 1 wherein the first and second end cap assemblies (22, 30) both include at least two integral valves for controlling fluid flow through ports.

4. The module of claim 1 wherein the first and second end cap assemblies (22, 30) include integral valves for controlling fluid flow through all ports.

5. The module of claim 1 wherein actuation of the valve of the first end cap assembly (22) is synchronized with the valve of the second end cap assembly (30).

6. A washing assembly (110) comprising the following components:

i) a wash tub (112), ii) a water inlet (114) and waste water outlet (116) in fluid communication with the wash tub (112), iii) a fluid pathway (118) extending from the waste water outlet (116) to the water inlet (114), iv) a pump (120) for moving water along the fluid pathway (118), v) a filter module (10) as set forth in claim 1 located along the fluid pathway (118), and vi) an aerator (124) in fluid communication with the filter module (10).

7. The washing assembly (110) of claim 6 for washing ware items wherein each component is housed within a common cabinet (132).