Apparatus and method for cleaning membrane filtration modules
First Claim
1. A method of scrubbing a membrane surface using a liquid medium with a plurality of gas bubbles entrained therein, including the steps of entraining the gas bubbles into the liquid medium by flow of the liquid medium and a gas into a junction, wherein the liquid medium comprises a feed liquid, and flowing the gas bubbles and liquid medium along the membrane surface to dislodge fouling materials therefrom.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for cleaning a membrane module, the membrane module having a plurality of porous membranes, the membranes being arranged in close proximity to one another and mounted to prevent excessive movement therebetween and means for providing, from within the module, by means other than gas passing through the pores of the membranes, gas bubbles entrained in a liquid flow such that, in use, the liquid and bubbles entrained therein move past the surfaces of the membranes to dislodge fouling materials therefrom, the gas bubbles being entrained in the liquid by flowing the liquid past a source of gas to draw the gas into the liquid flow. The gas bubbles are preferably entrained into the liquid using a venturi type device. The membranes are preferably partitioned into discrete groups to assist cleaning while maintaining high packing density.
219 Citations
32 Claims
- 1. A method of scrubbing a membrane surface using a liquid medium with a plurality of gas bubbles entrained therein, including the steps of entraining the gas bubbles into the liquid medium by flow of the liquid medium and a gas into a junction, wherein the liquid medium comprises a feed liquid, and flowing the gas bubbles and liquid medium along the membrane surface to dislodge fouling materials therefrom.
- 5. A membrane module comprising a plurality of porous membranes, the membranes having a plurality of pores, the membranes being arranged in close proximity to one another and mounted to prevent excessive movement therebetween, and a junction connected to a header and a source of a feed liquid for providing, from within the module, a plurality of gas bubbles entrained in a liquid flow, the liquid flow comprising the feed liquid, such that, in use, the liquid flow and bubbles entrained therein move past outer surfaces of the membranes to dislodge fouling materials therefrom.
- 7. A method of removing fouling materials from the surface of a plurality of porous hollow fiber membranes mounted and extending longitudinally in an array to form a membrane module, the membranes having a plurality of pores, the membranes being arranged in close proximity to one another and mounted to prevent excessive movement therebetween, the method comprising the steps of providing, from within the array, a plurality of gas bubbles entrained in a substantially uniform distribution in a liquid flow, the liquid flow comprising a feed liquid, the gas bubbles being entrained in the liquid flow by flowing a liquid and a gas into a junction connected to a header so as to cause the gas to be drawn and/or mixed into the liquid, the distribution being such that the bubbles pass substantially uniformly between each membrane in the array to, in combination with the liquid flow, scour outer surfaces of the membranes and remove accumulated solids from within the membrane module.
- 10. A membrane module comprising a plurality of porous hollow fiber membranes and a junction connected to a first header and a source of a feed liquid, the fiber membranes being arranged in close proximity to one another and mounted to prevent excessive movement therebetween, the fiber membranes being fixed at a first end in the first header and at a second end in a second header, the first header having one or more holes formed therein through which a gas and feed liquid flow is introduced, and a partition extending at least part way between the headers to partition the membrane fibers into groups.
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23. A membrane module comprising a plurality of porous hollow fiber membranes and a junction connected to a first header and a source of a feed liquid, the fiber membranes being arranged in close proximity to one another to form a bundle and mounted to prevent excessive movement therebetween, the fiber membranes being fixed at a first end in the first header and at a second end in a second header, the first header having one or more holes formed therein through which a gas and feed liquid flow is introduced, and the bundle having a central longitudinal passage extending a length of the bundle between the headers.
- 24. A membrane module including a plurality of porous hollow membrane fibers mounted at a first end to a first potting head and at a second end to a second potting head and extending longitudinally between the potting heads, the membranes having a plurality of pores, the membrane fibers being arranged in close proximity to one another and mounted to prevent excessive movement therebetween, the fibers being partitioned into one or more bundles at least at or adjacent to one of the potting heads so as to form a space therebetween, at least one of the potting heads having an array and a connection to a junction, wherein the junction is connected to a gas source and a source of a feed liquid, the junction providing within the module, through a plurality of aeration openings formed in the array, a plurality of gas bubbles entrained within the feed liquid, such that, in use, the gas bubbles move past outer surfaces of the membrane fibers to dislodge fouling materials therefrom.
Specification