# US 5,348,651 A · Membrane simulator

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- Number: US 5,348,651 A
- Document ID: US5348651A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/035,670
- Filed: 1993-03-23
- Granted: 1994-09-20
- Earliest claimed: 1993-03-23
- Assignees: Aqua-Chem, Inc.
- Inventors: Timothy J. Carlson; Richard D. Geiger; Gerald A. Karls; Bruce A. Meysembourg
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5348651A

## CPC

- B01D 61/10: Accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B01D 65/00: Accessories or auxiliary operations, in general, for separation processes or apparatus using semi-permeable membranes
- B01D 65/10: Testing of membranes or membrane apparatus; Detecting or repairing leaks
- 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

Device to simulate operation and placement of a reverse osmosis membrane element in a Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit (ROWPU). The device simulates the drop in hydrostatic pressure occurring when a liquid (usually water) is forced across a membrane which separates different concentrations of solutes in the same solvent system. When substituted into a typical ROWPU for an actual reverse osmosis (RO) element, the drop in hydrostatic pressure is effected by an aperture or series of apertures which allow passage of liquid directly from the intake liquid piping to the purified effluent piping. The hydrostatic pressure of the waste effluent is similar to the pressure present in the waste effluent when an actual RO element is operating in a ROWPU.

## Claims

### Claim 1

In a reverse osmosis water purification unit comprising an elongated, tubular pressure vessel arranged to contain at least one reverse osmosis membrane element, wherein the improvement comprises a membrane simulator for temporary substitution of said membrane element, said simulator comprising a tube member coaxially disposed and extending substantially the length of the pressure vessel and interior support means arranged to position and support the tube member in substantial coaxial alignment with the pressure vessel, wherein said tube member comprises means for lowering hydrostatic pressure of a liquid passing through the pressure vessel, which means simulates, in the absence of said membrane element, the decrease in hydrostatic pressure normally present when liquid passes through a reverse osmosis membrane element when said membrane element is normally disposed in the pressure vessel.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The purification unit of claim 1, wherein the internal support means comprises an integrally formed member including:
a. an inner hub having an interior diameter dimensioned to receive the interior tube member,
b. an outer rim having a polygonal periphery for receiving and supporting the inner diameter of the pressure vessel; and
c. a plurality of radially projecting support spokes joining the hub and the outer rim.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The purification unit of claim 2, wherein the outer rim defines an equilateral triangular configuration.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The purification unit of claim 1, wherein the internal support means comprises an integrally formed member including:
a. an inner hub having an interior diameter dimensioned to receive and support the interior tube member;
b. an outer rim having an annular circumference approximating the inner diameter of the pressure vessel; and
c. a plurality of radially projecting support spokes joining the inner hub and the outer rim.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The purification unit of claim 1, wherein the membrane simulator comprises separably coupling elements.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

In the purification unit of claim 1, a reverse osmosis water membrane simulator comprising end cap members arranged to seal each end of the pressure vessel, each of the end cap members containing apertures, an aperture of one end cap member being arranged to allow for liquid intake and at least one aperture of the opposite end cap being arranged for liquid outflow from the pressure vessel.