System and method for improved micro and ultra crossflow membrane filtration
AssigneePurposeEnergy, Inc.
InventorsJames V. Banks, Eric E. Fitch, Bryan M. Dwyer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is an improved system and method of crossflow microfiltration and ultrafiltration with a membrane that is subject to fouling during the filtration process. The system includes a permeate removal conduit for transferring permeate. The permeate removal conduit includes a flexible orifice arranged by flexing and contracting to regulate permeate flow through each membrane module and thereby regulating membrane flux through each membrane in the system. The system also includes a backpulse check valve to enhance delivery of backpulse and membrane cleaning fluids.
Claims26
A filtration system comprising:
- a feed pump;
- a feed conduit, including a system inlet valve, a system reject valve, and a feed side vent valve;
- a membrane module including an interior space and a filtration membrane, wherein the membrane module includes an inlet coupled to the feed conduit;
- a permeate output, containing one or more permeate conduits coupled to the membrane module and arranged to transport permeate passing from the interior space through the filtration membrane, wherein the permeate output conduit is split into a permeate removal conduit and a permeate backpulse conduit;
- a flexible orifice, whose flow rate performance is selected to limit the maximum permeate flux for the membrane module, and is positioned inline in the permeate removal conduit;
- a backpulse check valve positioned in the permeate backpulse conduit;
- where the permeate removal conduit operates in the opposite flow direction, but in parallel with the permeate backpulse conduit;
- and
- an integrated control system to enable periodic cycling between filtration and backpulse functions.
A system for disrupting a layer of membrane foulant on a membrane of one or more membranes of one or more membrane modules from a surface of the membrane of a filtration system, the system comprising:
- a feed conduit;
- a feed pump and a means of regulating the feed pump's speed;
- a system inlet valve and a means of transitioning the system inlet valve from open to closed and closed to open;
- a system reject valve and a means of transitioning the system reject valve from open to closed and closed to open;
- a system feed side vent valve and a means of transitioning the system feed side vent valve from closed to open and open to closed;
- and
- an integrated control system to enable periodic cycling between filtration and backpulse functions.
A method of disrupting a layer of membrane foulant on a membrane of one or more membranes of one or more membrane modules from a surface of the membrane of a filtration system, wherein the system includes a feed conduit, a feed pump and a means of regulating the feed pump's speed, a system inlet valve and a means of transitioning the system inlet valve from open to closed and closed to open, a system reject valve and a means of transitioning the system reject valve from open to closed and closed to open, a system feed side vent valve and a means of transitioning the system feed side vent valve from closed to open and open to closed, an integrated control system to enable periodic cycling between filtration and backpulse functions, wherein the inlet valve, the feed pump, the feed side vent valve, the one or more membrane modules, and the system reject valve are coupled to the membrane modules in series using feed and retentate conduits, and wherein each of the one or more membrane modules includes an interior space and a filtration membrane, wherein the membrane module includes an inlet coupled to the feed conduit, and wherein a permeate output conduit coupled to the membrane module and arranged to transport permeate passing from the interior space through the filtration membrane, wherein the permeate output conduit is split into a permeate removal conduit and a permeate backpulse conduit, the method comprising the steps of:
- inserting a flexible orifice positioned inline in the permeate removal conduit;
- inserting a backpulse check valve in the permeate backpulse conduit;
- and
- periodically backpulsing the membrane modules by:
- slowing or stopping the feed pump;
- closing the system inlet valve;
- closing the system reject valve;
- opening the feed side vent valve;
- and
- enabling pressurization of backpulse fluid to permit backpulsing to occur at a desired flow rate and duration within one or more of the conduits.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.