# US 10,441,920 B2 · Fluid flow distribution device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,441,920 B2 - Document ID: US10441920B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/910,653 - Filed: 2018-03-02 - Published: 2018-07-05 - Granted: 2019-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2010-04-30 - Assignees: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC - Applicants: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC - Inventors: Bruce Gregory Biltoft; Zhiyi Cao; Jen Thai Law; Huw Alexander Lazaredes - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10441920B2 ## CPC - B01D 63/02: Hollow fibre modules - B01D 65/02: Membrane cleaning or sterilisation {; Membrane regeneration} - B01D 2313/08: Flow guidance means within the module or the apparatus - B01D 2313/10: Specific supply elements - B01D 2313/26: Specific gas distributors or gas intakes - B01D 2321/04: Backflushing - B01D 2321/185: Aeration - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) ## Abstract In a first membrane filtration module comprises a membrane module comprising a plurality of permeable hollow membranes; a fluid distribution device adapted to removably surround at least a portion of the membranes of the membrane module, the fluid distribution device comprising a plurality of through-hole openings for distributing a fluid, and the fluid distribution device adapted to distribute a flow of fluid along a surface of the permeable hollow membranes. In a second membrane filtration device comprises a membrane module comprising a plurality of permeable hollow membranes, each of the permeable hollow membranes having a surface; and a gas distribution device: adapted to distribute gas bubbles to the surface of the permeable hollow membrane, adapted to removably surround at least a portion of the plurality of permeable hollow membranes, and defining a plurality of through openings for distributing the gas bubbles to the membranes. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A membrane filtration module comprising: a membrane module comprising a plurality of permeable hollow membranes; and a fluid distribution device adapted to surround at least a portion of the membranes of the membrane module and defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses separated from one another by radially extending ridges, each recess containing a single and centrally located through-hole opening for distributing a fluid passing between upper and lower recessed horizontal surfaces of the fluid distribution device along a surface of the permeable hollow membranes. ### Claim 2 A membrane filtration device comprising: a membrane module comprising a plurality of permeable hollow membranes, each of the permeable hollow membranes having a surface; and a gas distribution device adapted to surround at least a portion of the plurality of permeable hollow membranes, a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses separated from one another by radially extending ridges, each recess containing a single and centrally located through-hole opening passing between upper and lower recessed horizontal surfaces of the fluid distribution device and along the surfaces of the permeable hollow membranes. ### Claim 3 A filtration system for removing fine solids from a liquid suspension comprising: a vessel adapted to contain the liquid suspension; a plurality of permeable, hollow membranes extending between vertically spaced upper and lower headers and positioned within the vessel; a first system adapted to provide a pressure differential across walls of the membranes, wherein some of the liquid suspension passes through the walls of the membranes to be drawn off as permeate; a second system adapted to withdraw permeate from the membranes; an end cap encasing the lower header; and a fluid distribution device for distributing a flow of fluid along the surfaces of the permeable, hollow membranes, the fluid distribution device engaged with the end cap and adapted to surround at least a portion of the membranes, and defining a number of circumferentially spaced recesses separated from one another by radially extending ridges, each recess containing a single and centrally located through-hole opening passing between upper and lower recessed horizontal surfaces of the fluid distribution device for distributing the fluid along the surfaces of the membranes. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The filtration system of claim 3, the permeable, hollow membranes arranged in an elongate bundle, and the fluid distribution device extends circumferentially around a portion of the bundle. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The filtration system of claim 4, the fluid distribution device extends around a portion of the bundle at or adjacent the lower header. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The filtration system of claim 3, the fluid distribution device having a ring-like configuration. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The filtration system of claim 6, the through openings evenly spaced along a circumference of the ring-like configuration. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The filtration system of claim 6, the fluid distribution device formed from two or more detachable inter-engaging components. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The filtration system of claim 8, the fluid distribution device formed from a pair of semi-circular components. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The filtration system of claim 9, the fluid distribution device comprising a clip. ### Claim 11 A filtration system for removing fine solids from a liquid suspension comprising: a vessel adapted to contain the liquid suspension; a plurality of permeable, hollow membranes extending between vertically spaced upper and lower headers and positioned within the vessel; a first system adapted to provide a pressure differential across walls of the membranes, wherein some of the liquid suspension passes through the walls of the membranes to be drawn off as permeate; a second system adapted to withdraw permeate from the membranes; an end cap encasing the lower header; and a gas distribution device for distributing gas in the form of bubbles to the surfaces of the permeable hollow membranes, the gas distribution device engaged with the end cap and adapted to surround at least a portion of the membranes, the gas distribution device defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses separated from one another by radially extending ridges, each recess containing a single and centrally located through-hole opening passing between upper and lower recessed horizontal surfaces of the fluid distribution device for distributing the gas bubbles along the surfaces of the permeable, hollow membranes. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The filtration system of claim 11, the permeable, hollow membranes arranged in an elongate bundle, and the gas distribution device extends circumferentially around a portion of the bundle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The filtration system of claim 12, the gas distribution device extends around a portion of the bundle at or adjacent the lower header. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The filtration system of claim 11, the gas distribution device having a ring-like configuration. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The filtration system of claim 14, the through openings evenly spaced along a circumference of the ring-like configuration. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The filtration system of claim 14, the gas distribution device formed from two or more detachable inter-engaging components formed from a pair of semi-circular components. ### Claim 17 (depends on 3) The filtration system of claim 3, further comprising a connecting sleeve configured to engage with the fluid distribution device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The filtration system of claim 17, wherein the fluid distribution device is positioned between the connecting sleeve and the end cap. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The filtration system of claim 11, further comprising a connecting sleeve configured to engage with the gas distribution device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The filtration system of claim 19, wherein the gas distribution device is positioned between the connecting sleeve and the end cap.