Scouring method
First Claim
1. A method of removing fouling materials from the surface of a plurality of porous membranes arranged in a membrane module the porous membranes forming an array, the module having a header in which one end of each of the membranes is mounted, the header connected to a source of pressurized gas, the method comprising providing, through a plurality of holes distributed throughout the header but not through the pores of said membranes, gas bubbles in a uniform distribution relative to the porous membrane array such that said bubbles move past the surfaces of and vibrate said membranes to dislodge fouling materials therefrom, said membranes being arranged in close proximity to one another and mounted to prevent excessive movement therebetween, wherein said plurality of holes is not solely peripheral to the distribution of said membranes in said header, wherein the porous membranes comprise hollow fibre membranes, wherein the fibre membranes are arranged in bundles surrounded by a perforated cage which serves to prevent said excessive movement therebetween.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for removing fouling materials from the surface of a plurality of porous membranes (9) arranged in a membrane module (4) by providing, from within the module, by means (10) other than gas passing through the pores of said membranes, gas bubbles in a uniform distribution relative to the porous membrane array such that the bubbles move past the surfaces of the membranes (9) to dislodge fouling materials therefrom. The membranes (9) are arranged in close proximity to one another and mounted to prevent excessive movement therebetween. The bubbles also produce vibration and rubbing together of the membranes to further assist removal of fouling materials.
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Citations
10 Claims
- 1. A method of removing fouling materials from the surface of a plurality of porous membranes arranged in a membrane module the porous membranes forming an array, the module having a header in which one end of each of the membranes is mounted, the header connected to a source of pressurized gas, the method comprising providing, through a plurality of holes distributed throughout the header but not through the pores of said membranes, gas bubbles in a uniform distribution relative to the porous membrane array such that said bubbles move past the surfaces of and vibrate said membranes to dislodge fouling materials therefrom, said membranes being arranged in close proximity to one another and mounted to prevent excessive movement therebetween, wherein said plurality of holes is not solely peripheral to the distribution of said membranes in said header, wherein the porous membranes comprise hollow fibre membranes, wherein the fibre membranes are arranged in bundles surrounded by a perforated cage which serves to prevent said excessive movement therebetween.
- 6. A membrane module comprising a plurality of porous membranes, said membranes being arranged in close proximity to one another and mounted to prevent excessive movement therebetween, the membranes forming an array, the module having a header in which one end of each of the membranes is mounted, the header connected to a source of pressurized gas so as to permit formation of gas bubbles such that, in use, said gas moves through a plurality of holes distributed throughout said header but not though the pores of said membranes and said bubbles move past the surfaces of and vibrate said membranes to dislodge fouling materials therefrom, wherein said plurality of holes is not solely peripheral to the distribution of said membranes in said header, wherein the porous membranes comprise hollow fibre membranes, wherein the fibre membranes are arranged in bundles surrounded by a perforated cage which serves to prevent said excessive movement therebetween.
Specification