Continuously variable aeration
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling fouling in a membrane filtration system having at least one membrane extending between a lower header comprising a plurality of openings and an upper header, the method comprising:
- providing a source of a gas;
controlling delivery of the gas to the membrane filtration system at a continuously variable flow rate comprising one of a sinusoidal and triangular wave flow pattern;
passing the gas at the continuously variable flow rate through at least one inlet pipe to the plurality of openings in the lower header; and
contacting the at least one membrane with the gas at the continuously variable flow rate to produce a stable transmembrane pressure over time.
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Abstract
A method of controlling fouling in a membrane filtration system (5) of the type where gas is used to clean or scour the membranes (6) wherein the method includes supplying the gas to the system with a continuously variable flow rate. A continuously variable valve arrangement (17) is also disclosed.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of controlling fouling in a membrane filtration system having at least one membrane extending between a lower header comprising a plurality of openings and an upper header, the method comprising:
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providing a source of a gas; controlling delivery of the gas to the membrane filtration system at a continuously variable flow rate comprising one of a sinusoidal and triangular wave flow pattern; passing the gas at the continuously variable flow rate through at least one inlet pipe to the plurality of openings in the lower header; and contacting the at least one membrane with the gas at the continuously variable flow rate to produce a stable transmembrane pressure over time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A membrane filtration system comprising:
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at least one membrane extending between a lower header comprising a plurality of openings and an upper header; a source of a gas; and a flow control device comprising at least one of a rotating valve and a variable speed blower to provide the gas at a continuously variable flow rate comprising one of a sinusoidal and a triangular wave flow rate pattern, and the flow control device fluidly connected to the lower header to allow the gas to pass through the plurality of openings in the lower header at the continuously variable flow rate and contact the at least one membrane; the flow control device being programmed or operable such that the gas flow produces a stable transmembrane pressure over time. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification