Membrane securement device

• US 9,764,289 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2013
• Issued: 09/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Swiatek, Tomasz, Collignon, Michael, Biltoft, Bruce Gregory, McMahon, Robert James
• Primary Examiner(s): Menon, Krishnan S
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUANG, RYAN
• Application Number:
  US14/429,517
• Publication Number:
  US 20150238905A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,464 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2313/02 Specific tightening or locking mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2313/54 Modularity of membrane module elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2321/185 Aeration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/02 Hollow fibre modules
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/022 Encapsulating hollow fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/024 with a single potted end
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/0241 being U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 65/02 Membrane cleaning or sterilisation ; Membrane regeneration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 65/08 Prevention of membrane fouling or of concentration polarisation

Abstract

Disclosed herein are aspects and embodiments of an apparatus for securing hollow fiber filtration membranes in a filtration module. In one example, the apparatus comprises a restraining structure engaging elongate portions of the plurality of hollow porous membrane fibers and an anchor formation engaging the plurality of hollow porous membrane fibers and positioned closer to eye portions of the plurality of hollow porous membrane fibers than at least a portion of the restraining structure. Neither the anchor formation nor the restraining structure sealingly engage open ends of the plurality of hollow porous membrane fibers.

Claims

1. A securement device for securing a plurality of hollow porous membrane fibers disposed in a looped fiber configuration and arranged into one of a bundle and a skein in a membrane module, the securement device comprising:

a restraining structure mechanically engaging elongate portions of the plurality of hollow porous membrane fibers such that the restraining structure is positioned on a peripheral surface of the one of the bundle and the skein and encompasses at least a portion of the elongate portions of the plurality of hollow porous membranes, the restraining structure maintaining the hollow porous membrane fibers in the looped fiber configuration and maintaining eye portions of the looped fiber configuration from which the elongate portions of the plurality of hollow porous membrane fibers extend, at least one open end of the plurality of hollow porous membrane fibers positioned distal from the restraining structure; and

an anchor formation mechanically engaging and supporting the plurality of hollow porous membrane fibers, at least a portion of the restraining structure disposed between the anchor formation and the elongate portions.

2. The securement device of claim 1, wherein the anchor formation compressively engages the plurality of hollow porous membrane fibers and a portion of the restraining structure.

3. The securement device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the anchor formation is disposed through the eye portions of the looped fiber configuration.

4. The securement device of claim 3, wherein the anchor formation comprises an elongate member extending through the eye portions of the looped fiber configuration.

5. The securement device of claim 1, wherein the anchor formation retains the plurality of hollow porous membrane fibers by application of a compressive force provided by a plurality of opposed elongate members positioned transversely of the plurality of hollow porous membrane fibers.

6. The securement device of claim 1, wherein the restraining structure compressively engages elongate portions of the plurality of hollow porous membrane fibers and a portion of the anchor formation.

7. The securement device of claim 1, wherein the restraining structure is a sleeve spaced from the anchor formation.

8. The securement device of claim 7, wherein the restraining structure comprises a resilient material.

9. The securement device of claim 1, wherein the anchor formation and the restraining structure are a single integrated element.

16. The securement device of claim 1, wherein the anchor formation comprises a U-shaped member.

17. The securement device of claim 16, wherein the anchor formation and a second anchor formation adjacent the anchor formation share the U-shaped member.

18. The securement device of claim 1, wherein the anchor formation further comprises an elongate member configured to secure a U-shaped member within the elongate member.

10. A securement device for securing a plurality of hollow porous membrane fibers arranged into one of a bundle and a skein and having elongate portions terminating in end portions in a membrane module, the securement device detachably secured to a frame of the membrane module, comprising:

a restraining structure mechanically engaging elongate portions of the plurality of hollow porous membrane fibers such that the restraining structure is positioned on a peripheral surface of the one of the bundle and the skein and encompasses at least a portion of the elongate portions of the plurality of hollow porous membranes, at least one open end of the plurality of hollow porous membrane fibers positioned distal from the restraining structure; and

an anchor formation mechanically engaging and supporting the plurality of hollow porous membrane fibers proximate the end portions, at least a portion of the restraining structure disposed between the anchor formation and the elongate portions.

11. The securement device of claim 10, wherein the anchor formation is detachably secured to the frame.

12. The securement device according to claim 10, wherein the anchor formation compressively engages the plurality of hollow porous membrane fibers and a portion of the restraining structure.

13. The securement device of claim 10, wherein the anchor formation retains the plurality of hollow porous membrane fibers by application of a compressive force provided by a plurality of opposed elongate members positioned transversely of the plurality of hollow porous membrane fibers.

14. The securement device of claim 10, wherein the anchor formation further comprises one of a ratchetable strap passing through eye portions of the plurality of hollow porous membrane fibers and a detachable clip compressively retaining the plurality of hollow porous membrane fibers.

15. The securement device of claim 10, wherein neither the anchor formation nor the restraining structure sealingly engage open ends of the plurality of hollow porous membrane fibers.

19. The securement device of claim 11, wherein the anchor formation comprises a pin configured to attach to an opening in the frame.

20. The securement device of claim 11, wherein the anchor formation comprises a detachable sleeve configured to attach to the frame.