System and method for improved flow distribution in a hyperfiltration array

A filtration system 2 for treating a feed solution using batch or semi-batch hyperfiltration comprising:

• a recirculation loop 32;
• a feed solution source 4 of feed solution to be treated;
• a high-pressure pump 8 suitable to introduce the feed solution from the feed solution source 4 into the recirculation loop 32 at a first junction 12;
• said recirculation loop 32 for treating said feed solution comprising:
• a pressure vessel array 16 comprising a pressure vessel stack assembly 18, an array inlet 86 for feed, an array outlet 88 for retentate, and a permeate outlet 89;
• said first junction 12;
• a recirculation means 36 suitable to increase fluid pressure between the array outlet 88 and the array inlet 86;
• and
• a second junction 38;
• a valve collection 40 suitable to restrict flow within said recirculation loop 32 and to enable a discontinuous release of retentate from the recirculation loop 32 at said second junction 38 to a retentate outlet 46, wherein at least one component in said valve collection 40 is within said recirculation loop 32;
• and
• a control device suitable to actuate said valve collection 40;
• wherein said pressure vessel array 16 comprises a pressure vessel stack assembly 18 comprising:
• at least three pressure vessels installed in parallel, said pressure vessels comprising a first pressure vessel 50, a last pressure vessel 52 and at least one pressure vessel 20 located between said first pressure vessel 50 and said last pressure vessel 52;
• wherein each of said pressure vessel(s) 20 comprises one or more hyperfiltration membrane elements, one or more inlet ports 24 located nearest a first end of said pressure vessel(s) 20, one or more outlet ports 26 located nearest a second end of said pressure vessel(s) 20, a permeate port 28 located at one of said first end 25 or said second end 27 of said pressure vessel(s) 20, and one or more hyperfiltration membrane elements 48;
• and
• wherein said inlet ports of the pressure vessel(s) 20 located adjacent to each other are connected at said first end 25 by an inlet conduit 100, and the outlet ports 26 of the pressure vessel(s) 20 located adjacent to each other are connected at said second end 27 by an outlet conduit 110;
• said inlet conduit 100 fluidly connecting a stack inlet 22 to the inlet ports 24 of said at least three pressure vessels installed in parallel;
• wherein said stack inlet 22 is located nearest the inlet port 24 of the first pressure vessel 50;
• wherein said outlet conduit 110 fluidly connects a stack outlet 30 and the outlet ports 26 of said at least three pressure vessels installed in parallel;
• wherein said stack outlet 30 is located nearest the outlet port 26 of the last pressure vessel 52;
• and
• wherein each of the at least three pressure vessels installed in parallel provides a distinct flow path 76 within the recirculation loop 32 that passes sequentially through the array inlet 86, the stack inlet 22, the hyperfiltration membrane elements 48 within one of said at least three pressure vessels installed in parallel, the stack outlet 30, and the array outlet 88.