US 7,220,358 B2Granted

Methods for treating membranes and separation facilities and membrane treatment composition

AssigneeEcolab Inc.

InventorsPaul F. Schacht, Amy B. McBroom, Robert D. P. Hei, Richard K. Staub, Ralf Krack, Peter J. Fernholz, Srinivas Somayajula

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Abstract

A method for treating a separation facility is provided according to the invention. The separation facility includes a plurality of membranes for providing separation of a feed product. The method includes steps of providing liquid flow through a plurality of membranes; treating the plurality of membranes with a multiple phase treatment composition comprising a gaseous phase and a liquid phase at a volumetric ratio of the gaseous phase to the liquid phase of at least about 5:1; and providing a liquid flow through the plurality of membranes.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A method for cleaning a filtration system comprising:

(a) removing liquid product from the filtration system and recovering at least a part of the liquid product:
(b) flooding the filtration system with a first aqueous media to remove at least a portion of solids in the filtration system;
(c) flushing the filtration system with a gaseous media to remove at least a portion of the first aqueous media;
(d) treating the filtration system with a multiple phase treatment composition comprising a gaseous phase and a liquid phase;
(e) soaking the filtration system for at least about 1 minute following the step of treating the filtration system with a multiple phase treatment composition;
(f) flooding the filtration system with a second aqueous media;
and
(g) rinsing the filtration system.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/786,238Filed 23 Feb 2004
Published: US 2005/0184008 A125 Aug 2005
Granted: 22 May 2007
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

B08B 9/0321
By the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing: using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid
B01D 65/00
Accessories or auxiliary operations, in general, for separation processes or apparatus using
B01D 65/02
Accessories or auxiliary operations, in general, for separation processes or apparatus using semi-permeable membranes: membrane cleaning or…
B01D 65/025
Membrane cleaning or sterilisation ; Membrane regeneration: removal of membrane elements before washing