Filtration devices with embedded radio frequency identification (RFID) tags

• US 7,736,495 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2008
• Issued: 06/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hydranautics (Nitto Denko Corporation), Nitto Denko Corporation
• Original Assignee: Hydranautics (Nitto Denko Corporation), Nitto Denko Corporation
• Inventors: Wilf, Mark, Ikeyama, Norio
• Primary Examiner(s): Cecil; Terry K
• Application Number:
  US12/251,358
• Publication Number:
  US 20090032477A1
• Time in Patent Office: 609 Days
• Field of Search: 210/806, 210/85, 210/321.87, 210/497.1, 210/321.6, 210/323.2, 340/539.1, 700/115, 700/214, 700/215
• US Class Current: 210/85
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/52 Filter identification means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/56 Wireless systems for monitoring the filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/143 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/10 Accessories; Auxiliary operations
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/12 Controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/10 Spiral-wound membrane modules
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/107 Specific properties of the central tube or the permeate channel
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/12 comprising multiple spiral-wound assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 65/00 Accessories or auxiliary operations, in general, for separation processes or apparatus using semi-permeable membranes

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention comprise reverse osmosis filters and systems comprising embedded radio frequency identification (RFID) tags for storing and retrieving data. The RFID tags can be preferably embedded under a filtration device'"'"'s protective outer shell. Information can be easily stored onto and retrieved from the embedded RFID tags. The ability to easily store and retrieve data from the embedded RFID devices facilitates the creation of loading maps, monitoring, addition, and replacement of fluid filtration devices.

Claims

1. A filtration system for storing and retrieving data from RFID tags, the filtration system comprising:

a plurality of spiral wound membrane filtration devices, the filtration devices each having at least one membrane sheet wound about a central porous tube;

at least one RFID tag connected to a component of the filtration system, the at least one RFID tag configured to identify the location of and at least one performance characteristic of one of said filtration devices;

a computer, the computer in communication with the at least one RFID tag, the computer configured to store and display the location information and performance characteristics related to each of the plurality of filtration devices;

wherein the computer is configured to assign positions of the plurality of filtration devices within the filtration system relative to each other based on their location information and performance characteristics in order to achieve a minimal performance standard for the filtration system; and

wherein the filtration devices that are assigned a location in the filtration system meet at least one minimum performance characteristic stored in said computer.

2. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein the component comprises the filtration device.

3. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein the component comprises a connector which connects one filtration device to another in the filtration system.

4. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein the component comprises a permeate exit port located in the filtration system.

5. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein the component comprises a concentrate exit port located in the filtration system.

6. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein the component comprises an entry port located in the filtration system.

7. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein the component comprises a permeate tube located in the filtration system.

8. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein the at least one RFID tag is enclosed within a fluid and/or gas-impermeable container connected to a component of the filtration system.

9. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein the minimum performance characteristic comprises eliminating at least 95% of salt from feed fluid.

10. The filtration system of claim 9, wherein the minimum performance characteristic comprises eliminating at least 99% of salt from feed fluid.

11. The filtration system of claim 10, wherein the minimum performance characteristic comprises eliminating at least 99.6% of salt from feed fluid.

12. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein the minimum performance characteristic comprises filtering at least 5000 gallons of feed per day at 800 psi.

13. The filtration system of claim 12, wherein the minimum performance characteristic comprises filtering at least 6000 gallons of feed per day at 800 psi.

14. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein the minimum performance characteristic comprises a combination of eliminating at least 95% of salt from feed fluid and having a permeate permeability of 0.05 to 0.5 gallons per square foot per day, psi.

15. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein software within the computer is configured to store the location information and performance characteristics.

16. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein software within the computer is configured to assign the positions of the filtration devices relative to each other based on their performance characteristics.

17. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein the information about location and performance characteristics can be periodically added to or removed from the at least one RFID tag.

18. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein the at least one RFID tag is configured to be periodically scanned to monitor the filtration system.

19. A method of monitoring and loading a plurality of filtration devices in accordance with the filtration system of claim 1 comprising:

a) inputting data indicative of the location and performance characteristics of each filtration device into each device'"'"'s RFID tag;

b) periodically monitoring the plurality of filtration devices and inputting updated data into each device'"'"'s RFID tag;

c) storing and displaying the location information and performance characteristics data on the computer;

d) assigning the positions of the plurality of filtration devices relative to each other based on their location information and performance characteristics; and

e) removing or replacing a filtration device if and when the filtration device fails to meet the at least one minimum performance characteristic.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the minimum performance characteristic comprises eliminating at least 95% of salt from feed fluid.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the minimum performance characteristic comprises eliminating at least 99% of salt from feed fluid.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the minimum performance characteristic comprises eliminating at least 99.6% of salt from feed fluid.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the minimum performance characteristic comprises filtering at least 5000 gallons of feed per day at 800 psi.

24. The of claim 23, wherein the minimum performance characteristic comprises filtering at least 6000 gallons of feed per day at 800 psi.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein the minimum performance characteristic comprises a combination of eliminating at least 95% of salt from feed fluid and having a permeate permeability of 0.05 to 0.5 gallons per square foot per day, psi.

26. The method of claim 19, wherein the computer stores the location information and performance characteristics.

27. The method of claim 19, wherein the computer assigns the positions of the filtration devices relative to each other based on their performance characteristics.

28. The method of claim 19, further comprising periodically adding to or removing from the at least one RFID tag information about location and performance characteristics.

29. The method of claim 19, further comprising periodically scanning the at least one RFID tag to monitor the filtration system.