CA2308234A1 - Gel potting method for filtering hollow fibre membranes - Google Patents
Gel potting method for filtering hollow fibre membranes Download PDFInfo
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- CA2308234A1 CA2308234A1 CA002308234A CA2308234A CA2308234A1 CA 2308234 A1 CA2308234 A1 CA 2308234A1 CA 002308234 A CA002308234 A CA 002308234A CA 2308234 A CA2308234 A CA 2308234A CA 2308234 A1 CA2308234 A1 CA 2308234A1
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- Prior art keywords
- gel
- membranes
- header
- fixing liquid
- open ends
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D63/00—Apparatus in general for separation processes using semi-permeable membranes
- B01D63/02—Hollow fibre modules
- B01D63/021—Manufacturing thereof
- B01D63/022—Encapsulating hollow fibres
- B01D63/0221—Encapsulating hollow fibres using a mould
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D63/00—Apparatus in general for separation processes using semi-permeable membranes
- B01D63/02—Hollow fibre modules
- B01D63/021—Manufacturing thereof
- B01D63/022—Encapsulating hollow fibres
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Separation Using Semi-Permeable Membranes (AREA)
Abstract
Headers are prepared with an opening including an inner space defining a part of a permeate channel. A thixotropic, water soluble gel is placed in the header in the space reserved for the permeate channel. A
plurality of hollow fibre membranes are collected together and their open ends are inserted into the gel. A fixing liquid, typically a resin, is placed over the gel. The fixing liquid surrounds each membrane and then solidifies, simultaneously sealing the outer surfaces of the membranes and forming a plug in the opening of the header to complete the permeate channel. After the fixing liquid has solidified, the gel is removed in part by vibrating the gel to a liquid state or dissolving it. The space initially occupied by the gel becomes part of the permeate channel after the gel is removed.
plurality of hollow fibre membranes are collected together and their open ends are inserted into the gel. A fixing liquid, typically a resin, is placed over the gel. The fixing liquid surrounds each membrane and then solidifies, simultaneously sealing the outer surfaces of the membranes and forming a plug in the opening of the header to complete the permeate channel. After the fixing liquid has solidified, the gel is removed in part by vibrating the gel to a liquid state or dissolving it. The space initially occupied by the gel becomes part of the permeate channel after the gel is removed.
Description
Title: Gel Potting Method for Filtering Hollow Fibre Membranes FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method of potting filtering hollow fibre membranes into a header.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In order to filter with hollow fibre membranes, a large number of thin hollow fibres must be fixed to a header such that their outer surfaces are each completely sealed to the outside of header but their lumens are open to an inner space in the header. The inner space of the header is then connected to a source of suction or pressure to create a transmembrane pressure across the walls of the membranes.
In US Patent No. 5,639,373, the ends of an array of spaced apart fibres are submerged in a fugitive liquid until the fugitive liquid solidifies around them. A fixing liquid, such as a resin, is then poured over the fugitive liquid and allowed to harden around the membranes.
The fugitive liquid is then removed, for example by heating or by dissolution, leaving the lumens of the membranes open to the space formerly occupied by the fugitive liquid. In US Patent No. 6,042,677, a similar process is used but the array of fibres is held in a bed of powder which is used in place of the solidified fugitive liquid.
In US Patent No. 5,922,201, a continuous hollow fibre is made into a fabric such that adjacent lengths of the fibres are spaced apart from each other and do not have open ends. An edge of the fabric is inserted into a pot of liquid resin which is centrifuged or vibrated as it cures to encourage flow into the spaces between the fibres. After the resin is cured, the block of resin and fibre is cut to separate the fabric into individual lengths of fibres having open ends.
This invention relates to a method of potting filtering hollow fibre membranes into a header.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In order to filter with hollow fibre membranes, a large number of thin hollow fibres must be fixed to a header such that their outer surfaces are each completely sealed to the outside of header but their lumens are open to an inner space in the header. The inner space of the header is then connected to a source of suction or pressure to create a transmembrane pressure across the walls of the membranes.
In US Patent No. 5,639,373, the ends of an array of spaced apart fibres are submerged in a fugitive liquid until the fugitive liquid solidifies around them. A fixing liquid, such as a resin, is then poured over the fugitive liquid and allowed to harden around the membranes.
The fugitive liquid is then removed, for example by heating or by dissolution, leaving the lumens of the membranes open to the space formerly occupied by the fugitive liquid. In US Patent No. 6,042,677, a similar process is used but the array of fibres is held in a bed of powder which is used in place of the solidified fugitive liquid.
In US Patent No. 5,922,201, a continuous hollow fibre is made into a fabric such that adjacent lengths of the fibres are spaced apart from each other and do not have open ends. An edge of the fabric is inserted into a pot of liquid resin which is centrifuged or vibrated as it cures to encourage flow into the spaces between the fibres. After the resin is cured, the block of resin and fibre is cut to separate the fabric into individual lengths of fibres having open ends.
In European Patent Application No. EP 0 931 582, an elastic pipe is used as a header. An aperture is cut in the pipe and a weir is built up around the aperture. Open ends of hollow fibre membranes are inserted spaced apart in a line into the aperture by first pulling the aperture open and then allowing it to close on the membranes. Liquid resin is poured over the ends of the membranes and retained in placed by the weir until it cures. Only a single layer of fibres are potted in each aperture and surface tension prevents the resin from flowing through the aperture in spaces between adjacent fibres.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to improve on the prior art.
This object is met by the combination of features, steps or both found in the independent claims, the dependent claims disclosing further advantageous embodiments of the invention. The following summary may not describe all necessary features of the invention which may reside in a sub-combination of the following features or in a combination with features described in other parts of this document.
In various aspects, the invention provides a method of potting filtering hollow fibre membranes into a header. A plurality of hollow fibre membranes are collected together and their open ends are inserted into a gel. The gel has sufficient viscosity to not wick up the fibres significantly or be displaced significantly by a fixing liquid to be placed above the gel. A fixing liquid, typically an uncured resin, is placed over the gel. The fixing liquid surrounds each membrane and then becomes a solid sealingly connected to the outside of each membrane but not blocking the lumens of the membranes. For certain selections of fixing liquid, membrane material, membrane diameter and packing density, the fixing liquid will wet the membranes and surround them even if some membranes initially touch each other. Alternatively, the membranes can be pre-arranged to be closely spaced apart before inserting their open ends into the gel. After the fixing liquid has solidified, the gel is removed. The solidified fixing liquid remains and is attached to the header in a position where the open ends of the membranes can be in fluid communication with the permeate channel.
Preferably, the potting method is performed in the header.
Headers are prepared with an opening including an inner space defining a part of a permeate channel. The gel is placed in the header in the space reserved for the permeate channel. The open ends of the membranes are then inserted into the gel. The fixing liquid is placed over the gel.
When the fixing liquid solidifies, it simultaneously seals the outer surfaces of the membranes and forms a plug in the opening of the header to complete the permeate channel. The space initially occupied by the gel becomes part of the permeate channel after the gel is removed.
The gel is preferably thixotropic and can be removed in part by vibrating the gel to a liquid state. A thixotropic gel can also be vibrated to assist in placing the gel evenly in the header. The gel is also soluble in a solvent that does not dissolve the solidified fixing liquid. The solvent is preferably water and the gel may be also removed in part by dissolving the gel in the solvent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figures.
Figure 1 is a partial cross section of a header made according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a partial cross section of another header being made according to the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to improve on the prior art.
This object is met by the combination of features, steps or both found in the independent claims, the dependent claims disclosing further advantageous embodiments of the invention. The following summary may not describe all necessary features of the invention which may reside in a sub-combination of the following features or in a combination with features described in other parts of this document.
In various aspects, the invention provides a method of potting filtering hollow fibre membranes into a header. A plurality of hollow fibre membranes are collected together and their open ends are inserted into a gel. The gel has sufficient viscosity to not wick up the fibres significantly or be displaced significantly by a fixing liquid to be placed above the gel. A fixing liquid, typically an uncured resin, is placed over the gel. The fixing liquid surrounds each membrane and then becomes a solid sealingly connected to the outside of each membrane but not blocking the lumens of the membranes. For certain selections of fixing liquid, membrane material, membrane diameter and packing density, the fixing liquid will wet the membranes and surround them even if some membranes initially touch each other. Alternatively, the membranes can be pre-arranged to be closely spaced apart before inserting their open ends into the gel. After the fixing liquid has solidified, the gel is removed. The solidified fixing liquid remains and is attached to the header in a position where the open ends of the membranes can be in fluid communication with the permeate channel.
Preferably, the potting method is performed in the header.
Headers are prepared with an opening including an inner space defining a part of a permeate channel. The gel is placed in the header in the space reserved for the permeate channel. The open ends of the membranes are then inserted into the gel. The fixing liquid is placed over the gel.
When the fixing liquid solidifies, it simultaneously seals the outer surfaces of the membranes and forms a plug in the opening of the header to complete the permeate channel. The space initially occupied by the gel becomes part of the permeate channel after the gel is removed.
The gel is preferably thixotropic and can be removed in part by vibrating the gel to a liquid state. A thixotropic gel can also be vibrated to assist in placing the gel evenly in the header. The gel is also soluble in a solvent that does not dissolve the solidified fixing liquid. The solvent is preferably water and the gel may be also removed in part by dissolving the gel in the solvent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figures.
Figure 1 is a partial cross section of a header made according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a partial cross section of another header being made according to the present invention.
Figure 3 is a partial cross section of another header being made according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Figure 1, hollow fibre filtering membranes 10 typically have a pore size in the microfiltration or ultrafiltration range, preferably between 0.003 and 10 microns and more preferably between 0.01 and 1.0 microns. The membranes 10 have each an open end 12 at which the lumen of the membrane 12 is open to any adjacent space. The membranes 10 can be made, for example, of cellulose acetate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polysulfone or a complex of PVDF and calcined .alpha.-alumina particles. In order to produce a large surface area, the membranes 10 preferably have outside diameters in the range of 0.2 mmto2.Omm.
The membranes 10 are held in a closely spaced apart relationship in a plug of a fixing liquid such as a resin 14 which encloses one or more permeate channels 16 in a header 18. The header 18 is typically moulded of a suitable plastic. The resin 14 surrounds each membrane 10 for at least a portion of its length in the resin 14. This seals the outer surface of each membrane 10 so that water cannot enter the permeate channel 16 other than by passing through the walls of the membranes 10 and into their lumens. The open ends 12 of the membranes 10 extend into the permeate channel 16 and put the lumens of the membranes 10 in fluid communication with the permeate channel 16. A permeate pipe 20 is tapped to the header 18 and locked with a nut 22 to connect the permeate channel 16 with a source of negative pressure. With the membranes 10 immersed in water, the negative pressure in the permeate channel 16 and the lumens of the membranes 10 draws filtered permeate through the walls of the membranes. Alternatively, the water around the outside of the membranes 10 may be pressurized to drive water through the walls of the membranes 10. Further alternatively, feed water may be forced under pressure into the lumens of the membranes 10 to force filtered permeate to the outside of the membranes 10 in which case the permeate channel 16 becomes a feed channel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Figure 1, hollow fibre filtering membranes 10 typically have a pore size in the microfiltration or ultrafiltration range, preferably between 0.003 and 10 microns and more preferably between 0.01 and 1.0 microns. The membranes 10 have each an open end 12 at which the lumen of the membrane 12 is open to any adjacent space. The membranes 10 can be made, for example, of cellulose acetate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polysulfone or a complex of PVDF and calcined .alpha.-alumina particles. In order to produce a large surface area, the membranes 10 preferably have outside diameters in the range of 0.2 mmto2.Omm.
The membranes 10 are held in a closely spaced apart relationship in a plug of a fixing liquid such as a resin 14 which encloses one or more permeate channels 16 in a header 18. The header 18 is typically moulded of a suitable plastic. The resin 14 surrounds each membrane 10 for at least a portion of its length in the resin 14. This seals the outer surface of each membrane 10 so that water cannot enter the permeate channel 16 other than by passing through the walls of the membranes 10 and into their lumens. The open ends 12 of the membranes 10 extend into the permeate channel 16 and put the lumens of the membranes 10 in fluid communication with the permeate channel 16. A permeate pipe 20 is tapped to the header 18 and locked with a nut 22 to connect the permeate channel 16 with a source of negative pressure. With the membranes 10 immersed in water, the negative pressure in the permeate channel 16 and the lumens of the membranes 10 draws filtered permeate through the walls of the membranes. Alternatively, the water around the outside of the membranes 10 may be pressurized to drive water through the walls of the membranes 10. Further alternatively, feed water may be forced under pressure into the lumens of the membranes 10 to force filtered permeate to the outside of the membranes 10 in which case the permeate channel 16 becomes a feed channel.
In Figure 2, a header 18 is laid open side up on a table and filled to about 10 to 20 mm with a gel 30. The gel 30 has a low enough viscosity to be placed in a layer on the bottom of the header 18 but sufficient viscosity not to wick up the membranes 10 or be displaced by the resin 14 which will be placed over it later. Typical viscosities range from 300 to 600 poise. A preferred gel 30 is polymethyl acrylate diluted with propylene glycol or glycerine to achieve the desired viscosity. The preferred gel 30 may also be diluted with water to achieve very low viscosity if necessary, but this is not preferred because hydrophillic fibres may cause the water to leave the gel and wick up the membranes 10. Water also reacts adversely to some resins, such a polyurethane resins, which is not desired. Other gels 30 may also be used preferably those that are stable in any heat given off by curing resin 14 and are water soluble and thixotropic as is the preferred gel 30.
The gel 30 is pumped into the header 18, preferably with a gear pump or positive displacement pump. With a nozzle nearly as wide as the opening of the header 18, the gel 30 can be placed to a generally even depth, it not being necessary to leave a completely smooth upper surface.
A thixotropic gel can also be vibrated to temporarily liquify it and then allowed to re-form, but this is not typically necessary.
A stack 24 of membranes 10 is made having of a plurality of layers of membranes 10, six layers being illustrated. The membranes 10 are closely spaced apart either regularly or randomly within a layer and the layers are separated by spacers 26 having a desired thickness, typically between 0.5 and 1 times the outside diameter of the membranes 10. The stack 24 is held together by a band 28 wrapped around the membranes 10 and spacers 26 and the membranes may also be attached to the spacers with adhesive.
The stack 24 is inserted into the header 18 such that the open ends 12 of the membranes 10 are inserted into the gel 30 to a depth of about 5 mm. Liquid resin 14 is then poured to a desired depth preferably covering the spacers 26 which preferably do not penetrate into the gel 30.
Suitable resins 14 include polyurethane, epoxy, rubberized epoxy and silicone resin. One or more resins 14 may also be used in combination and applied in one or more coats to meet objectives of strength and providing a soft interface with the membranes 10 having no cutting edges. The resin 14 must also be water insoluble, durable in a solution of any chemicals likely to be present in the water to be filtered and non-reactive with the membrane material.
The liquid resin 14 may wick down the membranes 10 slightly, but the gel 30 prevents the resin 14 from reaching the lumens of the membranes 10. The liquid resin 14 surrounds the membranes 10 and then cures sealing the outsides of the membranes 10 to the header 18.
The gel 30 is then removed to leave a permeate channel 16 (as shown in Figure 1) between the resin 14 and the walls of the header 18. The lumens of the membranes 10 are left in fluid communication with the permeate channel 16.
The gel 30 is removed by dissolving it, preferably with water. An opening is made in the permeate channel, such as the opening to admit the permeate pipe 20 shown in Figure 1. A small air vacuum relief tube is inserted into the header 18 to prevent a vacuum from forming in the header 18 which might otherwise prevent the gel 30 from leaving. The header 18 is then tilted to pour the gel 30 out through the opening.
During testing or start up procedures, any remaining gel 30 is dissolved and removed with permeate before the module is put on line.
Alternatively, a tube carrying pressurized water, pressurized air or both is inserted through the opening and into the gel 30 to assist in moving the gel 30 or to partially liquify it. Further alternatively or additionally, a thixotropic gel 30 can be vibrated to reduce its viscosity and increase its rate of flow.
In Figure 3, another embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, membranes 10 are arranged in a bundle 32 and loosely held by a releasable collar 34. The bundle 32 is produced by winding fibre material on a drum and then cutting the material to create distinct membranes 10 but without purposely arranging the membranes 10 in a grid or matrix.
The open ends 12 of the membranes 10 are placed into gel 30 in a header 18 as described above. The collar 34 is then removed and resin 14 is poured into the header 18. After the resin 14 cures, the gel 30 is removed, as described above.
In this second embodiment, there are no spacers to force the membranes 10 into a closely spaced apart relationship. Accordingly, there is a possibility that resin 14 may not flow between adjacent membranes 10 and not completely seal those membranes 10. By selecting resins, membrane materials, membrane diameter and packing density, however, successful potting can be achieved. By making a proper selection, the resin 14 will wet the membranes 10 with sufficient force to separate the membranes 10 in at least part of the depth of the resin 14. The gel 30 generally holds the open ends 12 of the membranes 10 in place, but not with so much force that the resin 14 can not separate the membranes 10.
In this second embodiment, packing density (defined as the cross sectional area of the membranes 10 divided by the cross sectional area filled by the membranes 10) preferably ranges from 15% to 30%.
Membrane outside diameter is preferably below 1 mm. Polyurethane resin has good wetting characteristics with PVDF membranes although epoxy, rubberized epoxy and silicone rubber are also suitable.
The gel 30 is pumped into the header 18, preferably with a gear pump or positive displacement pump. With a nozzle nearly as wide as the opening of the header 18, the gel 30 can be placed to a generally even depth, it not being necessary to leave a completely smooth upper surface.
A thixotropic gel can also be vibrated to temporarily liquify it and then allowed to re-form, but this is not typically necessary.
A stack 24 of membranes 10 is made having of a plurality of layers of membranes 10, six layers being illustrated. The membranes 10 are closely spaced apart either regularly or randomly within a layer and the layers are separated by spacers 26 having a desired thickness, typically between 0.5 and 1 times the outside diameter of the membranes 10. The stack 24 is held together by a band 28 wrapped around the membranes 10 and spacers 26 and the membranes may also be attached to the spacers with adhesive.
The stack 24 is inserted into the header 18 such that the open ends 12 of the membranes 10 are inserted into the gel 30 to a depth of about 5 mm. Liquid resin 14 is then poured to a desired depth preferably covering the spacers 26 which preferably do not penetrate into the gel 30.
Suitable resins 14 include polyurethane, epoxy, rubberized epoxy and silicone resin. One or more resins 14 may also be used in combination and applied in one or more coats to meet objectives of strength and providing a soft interface with the membranes 10 having no cutting edges. The resin 14 must also be water insoluble, durable in a solution of any chemicals likely to be present in the water to be filtered and non-reactive with the membrane material.
The liquid resin 14 may wick down the membranes 10 slightly, but the gel 30 prevents the resin 14 from reaching the lumens of the membranes 10. The liquid resin 14 surrounds the membranes 10 and then cures sealing the outsides of the membranes 10 to the header 18.
The gel 30 is then removed to leave a permeate channel 16 (as shown in Figure 1) between the resin 14 and the walls of the header 18. The lumens of the membranes 10 are left in fluid communication with the permeate channel 16.
The gel 30 is removed by dissolving it, preferably with water. An opening is made in the permeate channel, such as the opening to admit the permeate pipe 20 shown in Figure 1. A small air vacuum relief tube is inserted into the header 18 to prevent a vacuum from forming in the header 18 which might otherwise prevent the gel 30 from leaving. The header 18 is then tilted to pour the gel 30 out through the opening.
During testing or start up procedures, any remaining gel 30 is dissolved and removed with permeate before the module is put on line.
Alternatively, a tube carrying pressurized water, pressurized air or both is inserted through the opening and into the gel 30 to assist in moving the gel 30 or to partially liquify it. Further alternatively or additionally, a thixotropic gel 30 can be vibrated to reduce its viscosity and increase its rate of flow.
In Figure 3, another embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, membranes 10 are arranged in a bundle 32 and loosely held by a releasable collar 34. The bundle 32 is produced by winding fibre material on a drum and then cutting the material to create distinct membranes 10 but without purposely arranging the membranes 10 in a grid or matrix.
The open ends 12 of the membranes 10 are placed into gel 30 in a header 18 as described above. The collar 34 is then removed and resin 14 is poured into the header 18. After the resin 14 cures, the gel 30 is removed, as described above.
In this second embodiment, there are no spacers to force the membranes 10 into a closely spaced apart relationship. Accordingly, there is a possibility that resin 14 may not flow between adjacent membranes 10 and not completely seal those membranes 10. By selecting resins, membrane materials, membrane diameter and packing density, however, successful potting can be achieved. By making a proper selection, the resin 14 will wet the membranes 10 with sufficient force to separate the membranes 10 in at least part of the depth of the resin 14. The gel 30 generally holds the open ends 12 of the membranes 10 in place, but not with so much force that the resin 14 can not separate the membranes 10.
In this second embodiment, packing density (defined as the cross sectional area of the membranes 10 divided by the cross sectional area filled by the membranes 10) preferably ranges from 15% to 30%.
Membrane outside diameter is preferably below 1 mm. Polyurethane resin has good wetting characteristics with PVDF membranes although epoxy, rubberized epoxy and silicone rubber are also suitable.
It is to be understood that what has been described are preferred embodiments of the invention. The invention nonetheless is susceptible to certain changes and alternative embodiments without departing from the subject invention, the scope of which is defined in the following claims.
Claims (11)
1. A method of potting filtering hollow fibre membranes in a header comprising the steps of:
(a) collecting a plurality of hollow fibre membranes together;
(b) inserting open ends of the membranes into a gel having sufficient viscosity to not wick up the fibres significantly or be displaced significantly by a fixing liquid to be placed above the gel;
(c) placing fixing liquid over the gel which fixing liquid surrounds each membrane and then becomes a solid sealingly connected to the outside of each membrane but not blocking the lumens of the membranes;
(d) after the fixing liquid has solidified, removing the gel; and, (e) attaching the solidified fixing liquid to a header in a position where the open ends of the membranes can be in fluid communication with a permeate channel in the header.
(a) collecting a plurality of hollow fibre membranes together;
(b) inserting open ends of the membranes into a gel having sufficient viscosity to not wick up the fibres significantly or be displaced significantly by a fixing liquid to be placed above the gel;
(c) placing fixing liquid over the gel which fixing liquid surrounds each membrane and then becomes a solid sealingly connected to the outside of each membrane but not blocking the lumens of the membranes;
(d) after the fixing liquid has solidified, removing the gel; and, (e) attaching the solidified fixing liquid to a header in a position where the open ends of the membranes can be in fluid communication with a permeate channel in the header.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the gel is thixotropic and removed in part by vibrating the gel to a liquid state.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein (a) the gel is placed in the header before the open ends of the membranes are inserted into the gel;
(b) the space initially occupied by the gel becomes part of the permeate channel after the gel is removed.
(b) the space initially occupied by the gel becomes part of the permeate channel after the gel is removed.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the gel is thixotropic and is vibrated to assist in placing the gel in the header.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein the gel is thixotropic and removed in part by vibrating it to a liquid state.
6. The method of claim 3 wherein the gel is soluble in a solvent that does not dissolve the solidified fixing liquid nor the membranes and the gel is removed in part by dissolving the gel in the solvent.
7. The method of claim 3 wherein the membranes are arranged into a stack of closely spaced apart membranes before inserting their open ends into the gel.
8. A method of potting filtering hollow fibre membranes in a header comprising the steps of:
(a) collecting a plurality of hollow fibre membranes together;
(b) inserting open ends of the membranes into a thixotropic material having sufficient viscosity to not wick up the fibres significantly or be displaced significantly by a fixing liquid to be placed above it;
(c) placing a fixing liquid over the gel which fixing liquid surrounds each membrane and then becomes a solid sealingly connected to the outside of each membrane but not blocking the lumens of the membranes;
(d) after the fixing liquid has hardened, removing the thixotropic material; and, (e) attaching the solidified fixing liquid to a header such that the open ends of the membranes are in fluid communication with a permeate channel in the header.
(a) collecting a plurality of hollow fibre membranes together;
(b) inserting open ends of the membranes into a thixotropic material having sufficient viscosity to not wick up the fibres significantly or be displaced significantly by a fixing liquid to be placed above it;
(c) placing a fixing liquid over the gel which fixing liquid surrounds each membrane and then becomes a solid sealingly connected to the outside of each membrane but not blocking the lumens of the membranes;
(d) after the fixing liquid has hardened, removing the thixotropic material; and, (e) attaching the solidified fixing liquid to a header such that the open ends of the membranes are in fluid communication with a permeate channel in the header.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the thixotropic material is removed in part by vibrating it to a liquid state.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein (a) the thixotropic material is placed in the header before the open ends of the membranes are inserted into the thixotropic material; and, (b) the space initially occupied by the thixotropic material becomes part of the permeate channel after the thixotropic material is removed.
11 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the thixotropic material is vibrated to assist in placing the thixotropic material in the header.
Priority Applications (21)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002308234A CA2308234A1 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2000-05-05 | Gel potting method for filtering hollow fibre membranes |
| ES05007924T ES2334506T3 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2001-05-02 | ENCAPSULATED PROCEDURE TO REDUCE FIBER TORSION. |
| PCT/CA2001/000643 WO2001085315A1 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2001-05-02 | Gel potting method for producing filtering hollow fibre membranes |
| EP02011905A EP1249268B1 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2001-05-02 | Potting method to reduce fibre twinning |
| DE60109892T DE60109892T2 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2001-05-02 | Potting method to reduce fiber twist |
| AT01931266T ATE300349T1 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2001-05-02 | GEL CASTING PROCESS FOR PRODUCING HOLLOW FIBER FILTER MEMBRANES |
| EP05007924A EP1570897B1 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2001-05-02 | Potting method to reduce fibre twinning |
| HU1300515A HU229593B1 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2001-05-02 | Potting method for producing filtering hollow fibre membranes and header with filtering hollow fibre membranes |
| AU58099/01A AU780930B2 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2001-05-02 | Gel potting method for producing filtering hollow fibre membranes |
| ES02011905T ES2237632T3 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2001-05-02 | FIBER COATING METHOD TO REDUCE THE TORSION OF THE SAME. |
| AT02011905T ATE292510T1 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2001-05-02 | POTTING METHOD TO REDUCE FIBER TWISTING |
| JP2001581965A JP2003532521A (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2001-05-02 | Gel embedding method for producing filtered hollow fiber membranes |
| CA002377814A CA2377814A1 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2001-05-02 | Gel potting method for producing filtering hollow fibre membranes |
| DE60112228T DE60112228T2 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2001-05-02 | CASTING METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF HOLLOW FIBER FILTER MEMBRANES |
| DE60140572T DE60140572D1 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2001-05-02 | Potting method for reducing fiber twist |
| AT05007924T ATE448865T1 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2001-05-02 | POTTING METHOD TO REDUCE FIBER TWISTING |
| EP01931266A EP1214140B1 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2001-05-02 | Gel potting method for producing filtering hollow fibre membranes |
| ES01931266T ES2243491T3 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2001-05-02 | COATING METHOD THROUGH A GEL FOR THE PRODUCTION OF MENBRANAS FILTER HOLES. |
| HU0201794A HU229594B1 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2001-05-02 | Potting method for producing filtering hollow fibre membranes and header with filtering hollow fibre membranes |
| US09/847,338 US6592759B2 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2001-05-03 | Gel potting method and method to reduce twinning for filtering hollow fiber membranes |
| US10/388,517 US20030173706A1 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2003-03-17 | Gel potting method and method to reduce twinning for filtering hollow fibre membranes |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002308234A CA2308234A1 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2000-05-05 | Gel potting method for filtering hollow fibre membranes |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2308234A1 true CA2308234A1 (en) | 2001-11-05 |
Family
ID=4166144
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002308234A Abandoned CA2308234A1 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2000-05-05 | Gel potting method for filtering hollow fibre membranes |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2308234A1 (en) |
| HU (1) | HU229593B1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN103566766A (en) * | 2013-11-18 | 2014-02-12 | 武汉艾科滤膜技术有限公司 | Method for manufacturing hollow fiber membrane module |
| CN110917885A (en) * | 2019-12-17 | 2020-03-27 | 大连理工大学 | Detachable hollow fiber membrane module |
-
2000
- 2000-05-05 CA CA002308234A patent/CA2308234A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2001
- 2001-05-02 HU HU1300515A patent/HU229593B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN103566766A (en) * | 2013-11-18 | 2014-02-12 | 武汉艾科滤膜技术有限公司 | Method for manufacturing hollow fiber membrane module |
| CN103566766B (en) * | 2013-11-18 | 2016-02-17 | 武汉艾科滤膜技术有限公司 | A kind of manufacture method of hollow fiber film assembly |
| CN110917885A (en) * | 2019-12-17 | 2020-03-27 | 大连理工大学 | Detachable hollow fiber membrane module |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| HU229593B1 (en) | 2014-02-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |