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US 2004/0016699 A1Published application
Systems and methods for ultrasonic cleaning of cross-flow membrane filters
OwnerMichael Bayevskyinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for ultrasonic-assisted cleaning of cross-flow membrane filters, both within and removed from a filtration system. In one example, an applied vacuum reduces a cavitation threshold, avoiding damage to certain sensitive filter membranes. In another example, the ultrasonic-assisted cleaning is used in conjunction with backflushing. In another example, different levels of ultrasound are applied to different portions of the filtration system.
Claims28
A method including:
- placing a cross-flow membrane filter in an ultrasonic cleaning vessel;
- introducing a cleaning fluid into the vessel;
- applying a vacuum to the vessel to reduce a pressure in the vessel;
- and
- applying ultrasound to the filter in the vessel to assist in obtaining an at least partially cleaned filter.
2 more elements
A method including:
- receiving an input liquid;
- cross-flow filtering the input liquid, using first and second membrane filters, to separate a permeate from a concentrate, wherein the second filter is exposed to a more concentrated concentrate than the first filter;
- and
- applying more ultrasound to the second filter than to the first filter.
1 more element
A method including:
- receiving an input liquid;
- cross-flow filtering the input liquid, using a filter module that includes a plurality of membrane elements, wherein the filter module includes at least one ultrasound transducer operatively coupled thereto;
- substantially stopping a flow through the filter module;
- applying ultrasound energy to the filter module during the substantially stopped flow through the filter module;
- and
- resuming the flow through the filter module after the applying the ultrasound energy is interrupted.
3 more elements
A system including:
- a vacuum-sealable cleaning vessel, sized and shaped to receive a cross-flow membrane filter in the vessel, the vessel including:
- a cleaning fluid inlet to allow a cleaning fluid to enter the vessel;
- a cleaning fluid outlet to allow the cleaning fluid to leave the vessel;
- a vacuum seal;
- and
- a vacuum port;
- an ultrasound transducer, operatively coupled to the vessel to deliver ultrasound energy to the cleaning fluid in the vessel;
- and
- a first vacuum pump, operatively coupled to the vacuum port, the first vacuum pump configured to reduce a pressure within the vessel to reduce a cavitation threshold of the cleaning fluid such that an ultrasound energy level from the ultrasound transducer avoids damage to the filter in the vessel.
6 more elements
A fluid filtration system including:
- an inlet receiving an input feed stream;
- a permeate outlet;
- a concentrate outlet;
- first and second cross-flow membrane filters, operatively coupled to the inlet to receive the input feed stream for separation into a permeate, directed toward the permeate outlet, and a concentrate, directed toward the concentrate outlet, wherein the second filter is exposed to a more concentrated concentrate than the first filter;
- and
- at least one ultrasound transducer, operatively coupled to at least one of the first and second filters to deliver ultrasound energy thereto, the ultrasound transducer configured to apply more ultrasound to the second filter than to the first filter.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.