Detection apparatus and method utilizing membranes and ratio of transmembrane pressures
AssigneeNanyang Technological University
InventorsJirachote Phattaranawik, Anthony G. Fane, Fook-Sin Wong
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Abstract
The failure of an upstream filtration membrane, or the presence of a foulant in a fluid is detected using a membrane-based detector. The fluid or an effluent from the filtration membrane is directed to permeate through a first permeable membrane, and from the first membrane to permeate through a second permeable membrane. A ratio between (P1-P2) and (P2-P3) is determined, where P1 is a first pressure at a feed side of the first membrane, P2 is a second pressure between the first and second membranes, and P3 is a third pressure at a permeate side of the second membrane. The ratio is correlated with the failure of the filtration membrane, or with the presence of the foulant.
Claims33
A method for detecting failure of a filtration membrane, comprising:
- directing an effluent from said filtration membrane to permeate through a first permeable membrane, and from said first permeable membrane to permeate through a second permeable membrane;
- determining a ratio between (P1-P2) and (P2-P3), P1 being a first pressure at a feed side of said first permeable membrane, P2 being a second pressure between said first and second permeable membranes, and P3 being a third pressure at a permeate side of said second permeable membrane;
- and
- correlating said ratio with a failure of said filtration membrane.
An apparatus for detecting failure of a filtration membrane, comprising:
- a first permeable membrane and a second permeable membrane, each having a feed side and a permeate side;
- a conduit for directing an effluent from said filtration membrane to said first permeable membrane and from said first permeable membrane to said second permeable membrane;
- a first pressure sensor for producing a pressure signal indicative of a first pressure, P1, at said feed side of said first permeable membrane;
- a second pressure sensor for producing a pressure signal indicative of a second pressure, P2, between said first and second permeable membranes;
- a third pressure sensor for producing a pressure signal indicative of a third pressure, P3, at said permeate side of said second permeable membrane;
- and
- a data processing unit in communication with each one of said plurality of pressure sensors, for
- receiving pressure signals from said pressure sensors,
- calculating a ratio between (P1-P2) and (P2-P3) based on said pressure signals;
- and
- correlating said ratio with a failure of said filtration membrane.
A method of detecting a foulant in a fluid, comprising:
- directing said fluid to permeate through a first permeable membrane and from said first membrane to permeate through a second permeable membrane;
- determining a ratio between (P1-P2) and (P2-P3), P1 being a first pressure at a feed side of said first permeable membrane, P2 being a second pressure between said first and second permeable membranes, P3 being a third pressure at a permeate side of said second permeable membrane;
- and
- correlating said ratio with the presence of said foulant in said fluid.
An apparatus for detecting a foulant in a fluid, comprising:
- a first permeable membrane and a second permeable membrane, each having a feed side and a permeate side;
- a conduit for directing said fluid to said first permeable membrane and from said first permeable membrane to said second permeable membrane;
- a first pressure sensor for generating a first pressure signal indicative of a first pressure, P1, at said feed side of said first permeable membrane;
- a second pressure sensor for generating a second pressure signal indicative of a second pressure, P2, between said first and second permeable membranes;
- a third pressure sensor for generating a third pressure signal indicative of a third pressure, P3, at said permeate side of said second sensor;
- and
- a data processing unit in communication with each one of said pressure sensors, for
- receiving said pressure signals from said pressure sensors,
- calculating a ratio between (P1-P2) and (P2-P3) based on said pressure signals;
- and
- correlating said ratio with the presence of said foulant in said fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.