Apparatus and method for reducing concentration polarization and membrane fouling on membrane surface in a filter unit

An apparatus (104) that is attached with a filter unit (102) for reducing concentration polarization and/or membrane fouling on membrane surface in the filter unit (102) during a membrane separation process and/or a filter cleaning process using a non-invasive and non-destructive vibrational energy source, wherein the apparatus (104) comprises:

• a signal generator (106) that generates electrical signals when there is a fluid flow in the filter unit (102), wherein the signal generator (106) comprises
• a converter (204) that is adapted to receive power from a power source (206) and generate the electrical signals in at least one of (i) frequencies, (ii) intensities or (iii) pulse characteristics;
• an ultrasonic transducer assembly (108) that receives the electrical signals from the signal generator (106), wherein the ultrasonic transducer assembly (108) comprises,
• an array of transducers (302) that includes one or more ultrasonic transducers (604) that generate ultrasonic waves when the ultrasonic transducer assembly (108) receives the electrical signal from the signal generator (106);
• a housing (602) that embeds the one or more ultrasonic transducers (604) to generate the ultrasonic waves in at least one of (i) in a perpendicular direction to the filter unit (102) or (ii) at an angle to the filter unit (102), to ensure maximum exposure of ultrasonic waves to the membrane surface in the filter unit (102);
• a coupling medium layer (304) that is placed between the array of transducers (302) and the filter unit (102) to enable the transmission of the ultrasonic waves into the filter unit (102),
• wherein, during a membrane separation process and/or a filter cleaning process, when the ultrasonic waves that is generated by the array of transducers (302) pass through the filter unit (102), the ultrasonic waves generate at least one of (i) a turbulence in the flow of fluid or (ii) a vibration on the membrane surface to dislodge particles clogging the membrane surface, thereby reducing the concentration polarization and/or the membrane fouling on the membrane surface of the filter unit (102), which in turn, increases the membrane permeability and efficiency of the membrane separation process and/or the filter cleaning process.