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Cleaning in membrane filtration systems

  • US 8,496,828 B2
  • Filed: 12/19/2005
  • Issued: 07/30/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2004
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of cleaning a permeable, hollow membrane, the permeable, hollow membrane comprising a wall, a filtrate side, and an outer side, the method comprising:

  • removing liquid from the filtrate side of the membrane;

    removing liquid from the outer side of the membrane;

    applying a chemical cleaning solution to the outer side of the membrane;

    creating a pressure differential across the membrane wall to flow the chemical cleaning solution through the membrane wall from the outer side of the membrane into the filtrate side to at least partially fill the filtrate side with the chemical cleaning solution;

    isolating the outer side of the membrane;

    applying a pressurized gas to the filtrate side to flow the chemical cleaning solution back to the outer side through the membrane wall;

    accumulating an increased pressure developed on the outer side of the membrane as a result of the flow of the chemical cleaning solution; and

    venting the pressurized gas applied from the filtrate side of the membrane to atmosphere to flow the chemical cleaning solution through the membrane wall from the outer side to the filtrate side under the effect of the accumulated pressure on the outer side of the membrane.

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