System and method for flushing a membrane web using a vacuum roller
AssigneePTI Advanced Filtration, Inc.
InventorsJohn A. Simonetti, David H. Hopkins
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a system and method for removing a first chemical from a web of filtration membrane material using a vacuum roller or other vacuum pressure application device. Embodiments of the method involve applying vacuum pressure to a surface of the membrane web, immersing said membrane web in a flushing chemical and removing the membrane web from the flushing chemical. Embodiments of the system may include one or more vacuum rollers, positioning rollers and a flushing chemical in which a portion of the membrane web may be immersed.
Claims12
A system for flushing a first chemical from a membrane web, said membrane web having a first surface and a second surface, said system comprising:
- a vacuum roller having a vacuum pressure inlet, an interior vacuum chamber and a cylindrical element with an opening, said opening having a first end at an outer surface of said cylindrical element and a second end at an inner surface of said cylindrical element,
- a vacuum pressure source connected to said vacuum pressure inlet to apply a vacuum pressure, wherein said vacuum pressure applied to said membrane web is controlled based upon the desired rate of removal of said first chemical from said membrane web;
- and
- a flushing chemical, wherein
- at least a portion of said membrane web is held in contact with said vacuum roller, and said portion is at least partially immersed in said flushing chemical.
A system for flushing a first chemical from a membrane web, said membrane web having a first surface and a second surface, said system comprising:
- a vacuum roller having a vacuum pressure inlet, an interior vacuum chamber, a cylindrical element having a plurality of openings, a shield, and an axle, each opening of said cylindrical element having a first end at an outer surface of said cylindrical element and a second end at an inner surface of said cylindrical element;
- a vacuum pressure source connected to said vacuum pressure inlet;
- a first positioning roller in contact with an unflushed portion of said membrane web;
- a second positioning roller in contact with a flushed portion of said membrane web;
- and
- a flushing chemical;
- wherein
- at least a portion of said membrane web is held in contact with said vacuum roller,
- said portion is at least partially immersed in said flushing chemical,
- said vacuum roller rotates about said axle,
- said shield separates at least one of said plurality of openings from said interior vacuum chamber,
- said vacuum pressure applied to said membrane web is controlled based upon the desired rate of removal of said first chemical from said membrane web, and
- at least one of said first positioning roller, said second positioning roller and said vacuum roller is driven.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.