AU2004203856B2 - Vertical skein of hollow fiber membranes and method of maintaining clean fiber surfaces - Google Patents
Vertical skein of hollow fiber membranes and method of maintaining clean fiber surfaces Download PDFInfo
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- AU2004203856B2 AU2004203856B2 AU2004203856A AU2004203856A AU2004203856B2 AU 2004203856 B2 AU2004203856 B2 AU 2004203856B2 AU 2004203856 A AU2004203856 A AU 2004203856A AU 2004203856 A AU2004203856 A AU 2004203856A AU 2004203856 B2 AU2004203856 B2 AU 2004203856B2
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- fibers
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Classifications
-
- 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
- B01D63/033—Specific distribution of fibres within one potting or tube-sheet
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D61/00—Processes of separation using semi-permeable membranes, e.g. dialysis, osmosis or ultrafiltration; Apparatus, accessories or auxiliary operations specially adapted therefor
- B01D61/14—Ultrafiltration; Microfiltration
- B01D61/18—Apparatus therefor
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D61/00—Processes of separation using semi-permeable membranes, e.g. dialysis, osmosis or ultrafiltration; Apparatus, accessories or auxiliary operations specially adapted therefor
- B01D61/14—Ultrafiltration; Microfiltration
- B01D61/20—Accessories; Auxiliary operations
-
- 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
-
- 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
- B01D63/023—Encapsulating materials
-
- 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
- B01D63/026—Wafer type modules or flat-surface type modules
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D65/00—Accessories or auxiliary operations, in general, for separation processes or apparatus using semi-permeable membranes
- B01D65/08—Prevention of membrane fouling or of concentration polarisation
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D2321/00—Details relating to membrane cleaning, regeneration, sterilization or to the prevention of fouling
- B01D2321/04—Backflushing
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D2321/00—Details relating to membrane cleaning, regeneration, sterilization or to the prevention of fouling
- B01D2321/18—Use of gases
- B01D2321/185—Aeration
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D2321/00—Details relating to membrane cleaning, regeneration, sterilization or to the prevention of fouling
- B01D2321/20—By influencing the flow
- B01D2321/2066—Pulsated flow
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F1/44—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis
- C02F1/444—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis by ultrafiltration or microfiltration
Description
Claims (52)
- 2. The membrane device of claim 1 wherein, each said header is a mass of synthetic resinous material in which said terminal end H:\Leannc'Kecp\Zenon 715364 Div 54009.doc 9/05/06 -52 portions are potted and said fibers are formed from natural or synthetic polymers; each said fiber has an outside diameter in the range from pm to 3 mm, a wall thickness in the range from 5 pm to 2 mm, pore size in the range from 1,000A to 10,000A; and said displacement is in the lateral or horizontal direction.
- 3. The membrane device of claim 1 or 2 wherein said substrate is maintained at a pressure in the range from 1 10 atm, said fibers extend as a skein upwardly from a fiber-supporting face of each of said headers, each header has substantially the same dimensions, said fibers extend downwardly through the permeate-discharging face of said headers, and said permeate in discharged upwardly relative to said upper header.
- 4. The membrane device of any preceding claim wherein each header is formed in a geometry chosen from a rectangular prism and a cylindrical disc, said fibers together have a surface area >1 m 2 each fiber has a length >0.5 m, said fibers together have a surface area in the range from 10 to 10 3 m 2 and, said terminal end portions of said fibers protrude through a permeate-discharging face of each said header in a range from 0.1 mm to 1 cm.
- 5. A gas-scrubbed assembly comprising a microfiltration membrane device in combination with a gas-distribution means to minimize build-up of particulate deposits on the surfaces of hollow fiber membranes ("fibers") in said device, and to recover permeate from a multicomponent liquid substrate while leaving particulate matter therein, said membrane device comprising: a multiplicity of fibers, unconfined in a shell of a module, said fibers being swayable in said substrate; a first and second header disposed in vertically spaced- apart relationship within said substrate with opposed faces at a fixed distance, each header being formed with a potting resin cured in a resin-confining means; said first header and second header having opposed H:\Lcanne\Keep\Zenon 715364 Div 54009.doc 9/05/06 -53- terminal end portions of each fiber sealingly secured therein, all open ends of said fibers extending from a permeate-discharging face of at least one header; permeate collection means to collect said permeate through at least one of said headers sealingly connected in open fluid communication with a permeate-discharging face of each of said headers; means for withdrawing said permeate; and, said fibers, said headers and said permeate collection means together forming a skein wherein said fibers are essentially vertically disposed; said gas-distribution means is located within a zone beneath said skein, said gas-distribution means having through-passages therein adapted to have sufficient gas flowed therethrough to generate enough bubbles flowing in a column of rising bubbles between and around said skein fibers, to keep surfaces of said fibers awash in bubbles; said fibers, said headers and said permeate collection means together forming a skein wherein said fibers are essentially vertically disposed; each of said fibers having substantially the same length, said length being from at least 0.1% greater, to less than greater than said fixed distance so as to permit restricted displacement of an intermediate portion of each fiber, independently of the movement of another fiber; wherein said fibers are subject to a transmembrane pressure differential in the range from 0.7 kPa (0.1 psi) to 345 kPa (50 psi), and said fibers of each said header are spaced apart with potting resin extending over only each terminal portion of said fibers near their ends, so as to maintain said ends in closely-spaced apart relationship; said through-passages discharge a cleansing gas in an amount in the range from 0.47 14 cm 3 /sec per fiber in bubbles which rise vertically substantially parallel to, and in contact with said fibers, movement of which is restricted within said column; whereby said permeate is essentially continuously H:\Leanne\Keep\Znon 715364 Div 54009.doc 9/05/06 -54- withdrawn while concentration of said particulate matter in said substrate is increased.
- 6. The gas-scrubbed assembly of claim 5 wherein, each fiber has a length >0.5 m, said fibers have pores from 1,000A to 10,000 A, a surface area >1 m 2 and together have a surface area in the range from to 103 m 2 each said header is a rectangular prism or cylindrical disc having substantially the same dimensions as the other; said fixed distance is adjustable; said gas is an oxygen-containing gas, and said bubbles are in the size range from 0.1 mm to 25 mm, measured in relatively close proximity, in the range from 1 cm to 50 cm to said through-passages; and, said gas-distribution means comprises at least one of two distribution means disposed internally and externally of said skein.
- 7. The gas-scrubbed assembly of claim 5 or 6 wherein said particulate matter comprises biologically active microorganisms growing in said substrate, or finely divided inorganic particles.
- 8. A process for maintaining the outer surfaces of hollow fiber membranes substantially free from a build-up of deposits of particulate material while separating a permeate from a multicomponent liquid substrate in a reservoir, said process comprising: submerging skein fibers in substantially vertical configuration within said substrate, said fibers being unconfined in a modular shell and securely held in vertically opposed, upper and lower headers spaced-apart at a fixed distance, said fibers having substantially the same length and from at least 0.1% greater, to greater than said fixed distance, said fibers being swayable in said substrate; flowing a fiber-cleansing gas through a gas-distribution means proximately disposed relative to said skein, within a zone beneath said skein, and contacting surfaces of said fibers with sufficient physical impact of bubbles of said gas to maintain essentially the entire length of each fiber in said skein awash with H:\Lanne\Keep\Zenon 715364 Div 54009.doc 9/05106 bubbles and essentially free from said build-up; maintaining an equilibrium flux initially obtained after commencing operation of said process; collecting said permeate in said collection means; and, withdrawing said permeate; introducing said cleansing gas in an amount in the range from 0.47 14 cm 3 /sec per fiber to generate a column of said bubbles alongside and in contact with outer surfaces of said fibers; restricting movement of said fibers to said vertical zone defined by lateral movement of outer fibers in said skein; vertically gas-scrubbing said fibers' outside surfaces with bubbles which flow upward in contact with said surfaces, said fibers having a transmembrane pressure differential in the range from 0.7 kPa (0.1 psi) to about 345 kPa (50 psi); simultaneously, substantially continuously, withdrawing said permeate while increasing the concentration of said particulate material in said substrate.
- 9. A method of forming a header for a skein of a multiplicity of fibers, comprising: forming a bundle of fibers in at least one array supported on a support means having a thickness corresponding to a desired lateral spacing between adjacent fibers; holding said bundle in a first liquid with terminal portions of said fibers submerged, until said first liquid solidifies into a first shaped lamina, provided that said first liquid is unreactive with material of the fibers; pouring a second liquid over said first shaped lamina to embed the fibers to a desired depth, and solidifying said second liquid to form a fixing lamina upon said first shaped lamina, said second liquid also being substantially unreactive with either the material of said fibers or that of said first shaped lamina; whereby a composite header is formed in which terminal portions of said fibers are potted, said composite header comprising a laminate of a fugitive lamina of fugitive material and a contiguous finished header of fixing lamina; and there-after, removing said first shaped lamina without removing a H:\Leanne\Keep\Zcnon 715364 Div 54009.doc 9/05106 -56- portion of said fixing lamina so as to leave open ends of said fibers protruding from an aft face of said header, said open ends having a circular cross-section, wherein said fibers are subject to a transmembrane pressure differential in the range from 0.7 kPa (0.1 psi) to 345 kPa (50 psi). The method of claim 9 wherein said second liquid upon solidification forms a thermosetting or thermoplastic synthetic resin, and said first liquid upon solidification forms a solid which has a melting point or glass transition temperature lower than the melting point or glass transition temperature of said synthetic resin.
- 11. The method of claim 9 or 10 wherein said first liquid upon solidification is flowable at a temperature at which said second liquid upon solidification remains solid.
- 12. The method of any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein said first liquid upon solidification is soluble in a chosen solvent, and said second liquid upon solidification is insoluble in said solvent.
- 13. A header in which a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes or fibers is potted, said header comprising: a molded body of arbitrary shape having a fixing lamina and a fugitive lamina, said fugitive lamina formed from a fugitive potting material and said fixing lamina formed from a fixing material; said fibers having terminal portions thereof potted in said fugitive lamina which when liquid, plugs ends of said fibers, said ends having an essentially circular cross-section, said fugitive lamina maintaining said ends in closely spaced-apart substantially parallel relationship; said fixing lamina having an aft face through which said ends protrude, and a fore face through which said fibers extend vertically; said fugitive lamina having said fixing lamina adhered thereto, said fixing lamina having a thickness sufficient to maintain said fibers in substantially the same spaced-apart relationship relative to one and another as the spaced-apart relationship in said H:\Leannc\Kep\Zcnon 715364 Div 54009.doc 9/05/06 -57- fixing lamina, wherein said fibers are subject to a transmembrane pressure differential in the range from 0.7 kPa (0.1 psi) to 345 kPa psi).
- 14. The header of claim 13 wherein said fixing lamina has a cushioning lamina embedding said fibers and coextensively adhere to said fixing lamina, said fixing lamina has a hardness in the range from about Shore D 50 to Rockwell R 110, and said cushioning layer has a hardness in the range from Shore A 30 to Shore D A microfiltration device according to any of claims 1 4 wherein a lower of the first and second header further comprises a plurality of through-passages with first openings adapted to discharge a gas directly into the substrate between the membranes.
- 16. A microfiltration device according to claim 15 further comprising a plenum directly below the lower of the first and second headers connected to a second opening of the through-passages and into which a gas may be introduced.
- 17. A microfiltration device according to any of claims 1-4, or 16 wherein the fibers of each header are spaced apart by a distance of at least one half of the outside diameter of the fibers.
- 18. A microfiltration device according to any of claims 1-4 or 17 wherein the length is less than or equal to 2% greater than the fixed distance.
- 19. A microfiltration device according to any of claims 1-4 or 15 18 wherein the length is less than or equal to 1% greater than the fixed distance. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 8 or 15 19 wherein the liquid substrate is not pressurized.
- 21. The invention of any preceding claim, wherein the fibers are subject to a transmembrane pressure differential of not more than H:\Leanne\Keep\Zenon 715364 Div 54009.doc 9/05/06 22/12 '06 FRI 14:12 FAX 61 3 9243 8333 GRIFFITH HACK 1005 s0 58 0 0 than 101 kpa (14.7 psi). C)l
- 22. The invention of any preceding claim, wherein the fibers are subject to a transmembrane pressure differential of not more than 69 kPa (10 psi).
- 23. An apparatus for treating a multicomonent liquid Spsubstrate while leaving particulate matter therein, omprisng, 00 (a) M a non-preasurized reservoir for containing the substrate; a skein of hollow fiber filtering membrane5 immersed in Sthe substrate wherein the membranes are disposed generally vertically between upper and lower headers such that outsides of ends of the Smembranes are each surrounded by Potting material so an to be Sealingly secured to the headers, (ii) lumens of the membranes are in fluid communication with at least one permeate collection means, and (iii) the membranes have a length between opposed surfaces of the headers such that the membranes may move when contacted by rising bubbles in the substrate but wherein the length is from 0.1%I to les than 5% greater than the distance between opposed surface of the headers; wherein said fibres are subject to a tranamembrane pressure differential in the range of from 0.7 kPa (0.i psi) to 345 kPa psi) a source of suction in fluid communication with the lumens of the membranes and operable to apply a suction to the lumens of the membranes to draw a component of the substrate as permeate through the membranes; and means for diascharging air directly into the substrate between the membranes.
- 24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein, the headers are cylindrical; and the means for discharging air has through-passages with openings distributed both radially and circumferentially within and near the base of the skein. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the means for discharging air comprises a rigid air supply tube for carrying air to N: b n1. 22S ,2.AU ISpCiSf,,1AU,i Spccifcaicoq zvc-1,- 2.o 232/QJ COMS ID No: SBMI-05761473 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:14 Date 2006-12-22 22/12 '06 FRI 14:12 FAX 61 3 9243 8333 GRIFFITH HACK oo006
- 59- 0 Sthe through-passages and for spacing and positioning the lower and upper headers relative to one another. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the air supply tube has a0 dditional through-passages along its length. 27. An apparatus for treating a multicomponent liquid Nsubstrate while leaving particulate matter therein, comprising Swherein said fibres are subject to a transmembrane pressure 00 differential in the range of from 0.7 kPa (0.1 psi) to 345 kPa 10 psi) a non-pressuried reservoir for containing the substrate; a skein of hollow fiber filtering membranes immersed in C the substrate wherein the membranes are disposed generally vertically between upper and lower headers such that outsides of ends of the membranes are each surrounded by potting material so as to be sealingly secured to the headers, (ii) lumens of the membranes are in fluid communication with at least one permeate collection means, and (iii) the membranes have a length between opposed surfaces of the headers such that the membranes may move when contacted by rising bubbles in the substrata but wherein the length is from 0.1% to less than 5% greater than the distance between opposed surfaces of the headers; a source of suction in fluid communication with the lumens of the membrane operable to apply a suction to the lumens of the membranes to draw a component of the substrate as permeate through the membranes; and d) a gas distribution system having through passages adapted to discharge bubbles to rise through and around the skein of membranes, the gas distribution system comprising one or more gas tubes which space the first and second headers apart and which also carry air to the through passages. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the upper and lower headers are cylindrical and the one or more gas tubes are a single centrally located gas tube. 29. An apparatus for treating a multicomponent liquid N:\lb em 99 13.AU. ISpeci\s 12.AU. I S ofi I 2 6-fl 22doc 2212/% COMS ID No: SBMI-05761473 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:14 Date 2006-12-22 22/12 '06 FRI 14:12 FAX 61 3 9243 8333 GRIFFITH HACK 6007 0 substrate while leaving particulate matter therein, comprising: wherein said fibres are subject to a transmembrane pressure U adifferential in the range of from 0.7 kPa (0.1 psi) to 345 kPa a non-pressurized reservoir for containing the substrate; a skein of hollow fiber filtering membranes immersed in the substrate wherein the membranes are disposed generally vertically INO between upper and lower headers such that outaides of ends of the 00 membranes are each surrounded by potting material so as to be en sealingly secured to the headers, lumens of the membranes are in fluid communication with at least one permeate collection means, and 0(iii) the membranes have a length between opposed surfaces of the cheaders such that the membranes may move when contacted by rising bubbles in the substrate but wherein the length is from 0.1% to less than 5% greater than the distance between opposed surfaces of the headers, a source of suction in fluid communication with the lumens of the membranes operable to apply a suction to the lumens of the membranes to draw a component of the substrate as permeate through the membranes; and means for discharging a gas, the meana for discharging a gas having through passages through the lower header to discharge bubbles from first openings in the through passages into the Substrate above the lower header. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein second openings of the through passages are connected to a source of pressurized gas. 31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein second openings of the through passages are connected to a plenum directly below the lower header into which air may be introduced. 32. The apparatus of any of claims 29-31, wherein the first openings of the through passages are located between the membranes. 33. The apparatus of any of claims 23 32 wherein the length is less than or equal to 2% greater than the distance between the N" M b u r w 3 $I pe l A' ,;P3z1 .U Spc~ciflt.trion ZOOSi Z-f2.dn€ 22/| t/06 COMS ID No: SBMI-05761473 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:14 Date 2006-12-22 22/12 '06 FRI 14:12 FAX 61 3 9243 8333 GRIFFITH HACK [t008 opposed surfaces of the headers. 34. The apparatus of any of claims 23 32 wherein the length is less than or equal to 1% greater than the distance between the opposed surfaces of the headers 35. An apparatue according to any one of claims 23 to 34, wherein the suction 1S one which creates a transmembrane pressure N-1MelbuwnW-a~lmr\PlentOO-LMU3832 999W22.U iP3811AUSpecilo£202-2.doc;.n/12M& COMS ID No: SBMI-05761473 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:14 Date 2006-12-22 -61- differential across the hollow fiber filtering membranes in the range from 0.7 kPa (0.1 psi) to 345 kPa (50 psi). 36. An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the suction is one which creates a transmembrane pressure differential across the hollow fiber filtering membranes of up to 101 kPa (14.7 psi). 37. An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the suction is one which creates a transmembrane pressure differential across the hollow fiber filtering membranes of up to 69 kPa (10 psi). 38. An apparatus for treating a multicomponent liquid substrate while leaving particulate matter therein, comprising, a non-pressurized reservoir for containing the substrate; a microfiltration membrane device according to any of claims 1 to 4 immersed in the substrate; a source of suction in fluid communication with the lumens of the fibers and operable to apply a suction to the lumens of the fibers to draw a component of the substrate as permeate through the fibers; and means for discharging air directly into the substrate between the fibers. 39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein, the headers are cylindrical; and the means for discharging air has through-passages with openings distributed both radially and circumferentially within and near the base of the skein. The apparatus of claim39, wherein the means for discharging air comprises a rigid air supply tube for carrying air to the through-passages and for spacing and positioning the headers relative to one another. 41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the air supply tube has additional through-passages along its length. H:\Lcanne\Keep\Zenon 715364 Div 54009.doc 9/05/06 -62- 42. An apparatus for treating a multicomponent liquid substrate while leaving particulate matter therein, comprising: a non-pressurized reservoir for containing the substrate; a microfiltration membrane device according to any of claims 1 to 4 immersed in the substrate; a source of suction in fluid communication with the lumens of the fibers and operable to apply a suction to the lumens of the fibers to draw a component of the substrate as permeate through the fibers; and, a gas distribution system having through passages adapted to discharge bubbles to rise through and around the skein, the gas distribution system comprising one or more gas tubes which space the headers apart and which also carry air to the through passages. 43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the headers are cylindrical and the one or more gas tubes are a single centrally located gas tube. 44. An apparatus for treating a multicomponent liquid substrate while leaving particulate matter therein, comprising: a non-pressurized reservoir for containing the substrate; a microfiltration membrane device according to any of claims 1 to 4 immersed in the substrate; a source of suction in fluid communication with the lumens of the fibers and operable to apply a suction to the lumens of the fibers to draw a component of the substrate as permeate through the fibers; and, means for discharging a gas, the means for discharging a gas having through passages through a lower of the first and second headers to discharge bubbles from first openings in the through passages into the substrate above the lower header. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein second openings of the through passages are connected to a source of pressurized gas. H:\Lcannc\ep\Zenon 715364 Div 54009.doc 9/05/06 -63- 46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein second openings of the through passages are connected to a plenum directly below the lower header into which air may be introduced. 47. The apparatus of any of claims 44 46, wherein the first openings of the through passages are located between the membranes. 48. The apparatus of any of claims 38-47 wherein the length is less than or equal to 2% greater than the distance between the opposed surfaces of the headers. 49. The apparatus of any of claims 38-48 wherein the length is less than or equal to 1% greater than the distance between the opposed surfaces of the headers. An apparatus according to any one of claims 38-49, wherein the suction is one which creates a transmembrane pressure differential across the hollow fiber filtering membranes in the range from 0.7 kPa (0.1 psi) to 345 kPa (50 psi). 51. An apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the suction is one which creates a transmembrane pressure differential across the hollow fiber filtering membranes of up to 101 kPa (14.7 psi). 52. An apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the suction is one which creates a transmembrane pressure differential across the hollow fiber filtering membranes of up to 69 kPa (10 psi). 53. An apparatus for treating a multicomponent liquid substrate while leaving particulate matter therein, comprising: a non-pressurized reservoir for containing the substrate; a microfiltration membrane device, for withdrawing permeate from the multicomponent liquid substrate, said membrane device comprising: a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes, or fibers, unconfined in a shell of a module, said fibers being swayable in said substrate; H:\Leanne\Keep\Zenon 715364 Div 54009.doc 9/05/06 -64- a first header and a second header disposed in vertically spaced-apart relationship within said substrate with opposed faces at a fixed distance; said first header and said second header having opposed terminal end portions of each fiber sealingly secured therein with potting resin; permeate collection means to collect the permeate, sealingly connected in open fluid communication with a permeate-discharging face of at least one of said headers; and means to withdraw said permeate; said fibers, said headers and said permeate discharging face together forming a vertical skein wherein said fibers are essentially vertically disposed; each of said fibers having substantially the same length, said length being from 0.1% to less than 5% greater than said fixed distance so as to permit restricted displacement of an intermediate portion of each fiber, independently of the movement of another fiber; wherein said fibers are subject to a transmembrane pressure differential in the range from 0.7 kPa (0.1 psi) to 345 kPa (50 psi), and, said fibers of each said header are spaced apart by said potting resin which extends over only each terminal end portion of said fibers near their ends, so as to maintain said ends in closely spaced apart relationship; a source of suction in fluid communication with the lumens of the fibers operable to subject the fibers to the transmembrane pressure and draw a component of the substrate as permeate through the membranes; and means for discharging air directly into the substrate between the membranes. 54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein: The headers are cylindrical; and The means for discharging air has through-passages with openings distributed both radially and circumferentially within and near the base of the skein. H:\Leanne\Keep\Zenon 715364 Div 54009.doc 9/05/06 The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the means for discharging air comprises a rigid air supply tube for carrying air to the through-passages and for spacing and positioning the headers relative to one another. 56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the air supply tube has additional through-passages along its length. 57. An apparatus for treating a multicomponent liquid substrate while leaving particulate matter therein, comprising: a non-pressurized reservoir for containing the substrate; a microfiltration membrane device, for withdrawing permeate from the multicomponent liquid substrate, said membrane device comprising: a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes, or fibers, unconfined in a shell of a module, said fibers being swayable in said substrate; a first header and a second header disposed in vertically spaced-apart relationship within said substrate with opposed faces at a fixed distance; said first header and said second header having opposed terminal end portions of each fiber sealingly secured therein with potting resin; permeate collection means to collect the permeate, sealingly connected in open fluid communication with a permeate-discharging face of at least one of said headers; and means to withdraw said permeate; said fibers, said headers and said permeate discharging face together forming a vertical skein wherein said fibers are essentially vertically disposed; each of said fibers having substantially the same length, said length being from 0.1% to less than 5% greater than said fixed distance so as to permit restricted displacement of an intermediate portion of each fiber, independently of the movement of another fiber; wherein said fibers are subject to a transmembrane pressure HALeanne\Keep\Zenon 715364 Div 54009.doc 9/05/06 -66- differential in the range from 0.7 kPa (0.1 psi) to 345 kPa (50 psi), and, said fibers of each said header are spaced apart by said potting resin which extends over only each terminal end portion of said fibers near their ends, so as to maintain said ends in closely spaced apart relationship; a source of suction in fluid communication with the lumens of the fibers operable to subject the fibers to the transmembrane pressure and draw a component of the substrate as permeate through the membranes; and a gas distribution system having through passages adapted to discharge bubbles to rise through and around the skein, the gas distribution system comprising one or more gas tubes which space the headers apart and which also carry air to the through passages. 58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the headers are cylindrical and the one or more gas tubes are a single centrally located gas tube. 59. An apparatus for treating a multicomponent liquid substrate while leaving particulate matter therein, comprising: a non-pressurized reservoir for containing the substrate; a microfiltration membrane device, for withdrawing permeate from the multicomponent liquid substrate, said membrane device comprising: a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes, or fibers, unconfined in a shell of a module, said fibers being swayable in said substrate; a first header and a second header disposed in vertically spaced-apart relationship within said substrate with opposed faces at a fixed distance; said first header and said second header having opposed terminal end portions of each fiber sealingly secured therein with potting resin; permeate collection means to collect the permeate, sealingly connected in open fluid communication with a permeate-discharging face of at least one of said headers; and H:\Leanne\Keep\Zenon 715364 Div 54009.doc 9/05/06 -67- means to withdraw said permeate; said fibers, said headers and said permeate discharging face together forming a vertical skein wherein said fibers are essentially vertically disposed; each of said fibers having substantially the same length, said length being from 0.1% to less than 5% greater than said fixed distance so as to permit restricted displacement of an intermediate portion of each fiber, independently of the movement of another fiber; wherein said fibers are subject to a transmembrane pressure differential in the range from 0.7 kPa (0.1 psi) to 345 kPa (50 psi), and, said fibers of each said header are spaced apart by said potting resin which extends over only each terminal end portion of said fibers near their ends, so as to maintain said ends in closely spaced apart relationship; a source of suction in fluid communication with the lumens of the fibers operable to subject the fibers to the transmembrane pressure and draw a component of the substrate as permeate through the membranes; and, means for discharging air having through passages through a lower of the first and second headers to discharge bubbles from first openings of the through passages into the substrate above the lower header.
- 60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein second openings of the through passages are connected to a source of pressurized gas.
- 61. The apparatus of any of claims 59 or 60, wherein second openings of the through passages connect to a plenum directly below the lower header into which air may be introduced.
- 62. The apparatus of any of claims 59-61, wherein first openings of the through passages are located between membranes.
- 63. The apparatus of any one of claims 53-62, wherein the length is less than 2% greater than the distance between the opposed surfaces of the headers. H:\Leanne\Keep\Zenon 715364 Div 54009.doc 9/05/06 68
- 64. The apparatus of any one of claims 53-63, wherein the length is less than 1% greater than the distance between the opposed surfaces of the headers. An apparatus according to any one of claims 53-64, wherein the fibers are subject to a transmembrane pressure differential of no more than 101 kPa (14.7 psi).
- 66. An apparatus according to any one of claims 53-65, wherein the fibers are subject to a transmembrane pressure differential of no more than 69 kPa (10 psi).
- 67. A microfiltration membrane device, for withdrawing permeate from a multicomponent liquid substrate, said membrane device comprising: a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes, or fibers, unconfined in a shell of a module; a first header and a second header disposed in vertically spaced-apart relationship within said substrate with opposed faces at a fixed distance; said first header and said second header having opposed terminal end portions of each fiber sealingly secured therein with potting resin, all open ends of said fibers open to a permeate-discharging face of one or both headers; said one or both headers having permeate collection means to collect said permeate, sealingly connected in open fluid communication with the permeate-discharging face(s) of the or each header; and, means to withdraw said permeate; said fibers, said headers and said permeate collection means together forming a vertical skein wherein said fibers are essentially vertically disposed; each of said fibers having substantially the same length, said length being from 0.1% to less than 5% greater than said fixed distance so as to permit restricted displacement of an intermediate portion of each fiber, independently of the movement of another fiber; H:\Leanne\Keep\Zenon 715364 Div 54009.doc 9/05/06 69 wherein said fibers are subjectible in use to a transmembrane pressure differential in the range from 0.7 kPa (0.1 psi) to 345 kPa (50 psi), and, said fibers of each said header are spaced apart to a desired lateral spacing between fibers by said potting resin, so as to maintain said ends in closely spaced apart relationship.
- 68. The membrane device of any of claims 1-4, 15-22 or 67 wherein the microfiltration device is adapted for use in withdrawing permeate from a substrate at ambient pressure.
- 69. The membrane device of any of claims 1-4 or 15-68, wherein said fibers, said headers and said permeate collection means are all submersible below the surface of the substrate.
- 70. The membrane device of any of claims 1-4 or 15-69 wherein said permeate collection means comprises a header enclosure, pan or cap submersible in said substrate and sealingly connected in open fluid communication with the permeate-discharging face(s) of the or each header.
- 71. The membrane device of claim 70 wherein the means to withdraw permeate comprises one or more permeate withdrawal tubes, conduits or manifolds connected to the or each header enclosure, pan or cap and extending from below to above the surface of the substrate, the one or more permeate withdrawal tubes, conduits or manifolds being adapted to be connected, in use, to a source of suction for supplying suction to the or each header enclosure, pan or cap.
- 72. The membrane device of any of claims 1-4 or 15-70 wherein the means to withdraw permeate comprises one or more permeate withdrawal tubes, conduits or manifolds connected to the permeate collection means and extending from below to above the surface of the substrate, the one or more permeate withdrawal tubes, conduits or manifolds being adapted to be connected, in use, to a source of suction for supplying suction to the permeate collection means. H:\Leanne\Keep\Zenon 715364 Div 54009.doc 9/05/06
- 73. The membrane device of any of claims 1-4 or 15-23, 27, 29- 38, 42, 44-47, 53, 57, 59-72 wherein the fibers are arranged into bundles, each bundle having the shape of a generally rectangular parallelepiped elongated so as to have a pair of long sides in plan view; the bundles are arranged side by side with the long sides of the bundles adjacent to, but spaced apart from, each other; and further comprising an aeration system which generates bubbles which rise between the bundles.
- 74. The membrane device of claim 73 wherein the aeration system further provides bubbles which rise beside the outer long sides of the outer bundles in the arrangement of bundles. The membrane device of claim 73 wherein the aeration system provides bubbles beside each long side of each bundle and each bundle is no more than 30 fibers across.
- 76. The membrane device of claim 73 wherein a plurality of bundles are secured into a common header.
- 77. The membrane device of claim 76 wherein the aeration system has rows of through passages for discharging bubbles, the rows of through passages located between the bundles and beside the outer long sides of the outer bundles.
- 78. The membrane device of claim 77 wherein each bundle is no more than 30 fibers across.
- 79. The membrane device of claim 77 wherein the aeration system comprises tubular air manifolds having horizontal perforated portions located between the bundles and beside the outermost long sides of the outermost bundles. The membrane device of claim 77 wherein the aeration system comprises air tubes rising vertically through the header in HA:\Leanne\KeepZenon 715364 Div 54009.doc 9/05/06 71 rows between the bundles and beside the outer long sides of the outer bundles.
- 81. The membrane device of claim 73 wherein each bundle is secured in a distinct header.
- 82. The membrane device of claim 81 wherein the bundles are from 3 to 30 fibers across.
- 83. The membrane device of claim 81 wherein the aeration system comprises gas distribution means disposed between the bundles.
- 84. The membrane device of claim 83 wherein the aeration system has gas distribution means outside of the outer long sides of the outer bundles. The membrane device of claim 81 wherein the gas distribution means comprises tubular air manifolds having horizontal perforated portions between the bundles.
- 86. The membrane device of claim 85 wherein the gas distribution means further comprises tubular air manifolds having horizontal perforated portions beside the outer long sides of the outer bundles.
- 87. The membrane device of any of claims 1-4 or 15-86 wherein, for each header with a permeate discharging face; the potting resin extends to and adhesively secures to the inner periphery of the permeate collection means to form a permeate collection zone; and, portions of the fibers adjacent open ends of the fibers protrude from the permeate discharging face into the permeate collection zone.
- 88. The membrane device of claim 87 wherein the potting resin extends to and adhesively secures to the inner periphery of a permeate pan, an end cap or a header enclosure to form the permeate collection H:\Leanne\Keep\Zenon 715364 Div 54009.doc 9/05/06 -72- zone.
- 89. The membrane device of any of claims 1-4 or 15-88 having a cushioning lamina embedding said fibers and co-extensively adhered to said potting material. The membrane device of any of claims 1-4 or 15-89 wherein the fibers further comprise a braid and a membrane material.
- 91. The membrane device of claim 90 wherein the fibers further comprise a braided yarn covered with a water-insoluble polymeric material.
- 92. A microfiltration membrane device for withdrawing permeate substantially continuously from a multicomponent liquid substrate substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- 93. A gas-scrubbed assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- 94. A process for maintaining the outer surfaces of hollow fiber membranes essentially free from a build-up of deposits of particulate material substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. A method of forming a header for a skein of a multiplicity of fibers substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. H:ALeanne\Keep\Zenon 715364 Div 54009.doc 9/05/06 -73-
- 96. An apparatus for treating a multicomponent liquid substrate whilst leaving particulate matter therein, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 9th day of May 2006 Zenon Environmental Inc. By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia H:\Leanne\Keep\Zenon 715364 Div 54009.doc 9/05/06
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
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US08/514119 | 1995-08-11 | ||
US08/514,119 US5639373A (en) | 1995-08-11 | 1995-08-11 | Vertical skein of hollow fiber membranes and method of maintaining clean fiber surfaces while filtering a substrate to withdraw a permeate |
US08/690,045 US5783083A (en) | 1995-08-11 | 1996-07-31 | Vertical cylindrical skein of hollow fiber membranes and method of maintaining clean fiber surfaces |
US08/690045 | 1996-07-31 | ||
AU66528/96A AU715364C (en) | 1995-08-11 | 1996-08-08 | Vertical skein of hollow fiber membranes and method of maintaining clean fiber surfaces |
PCT/CA1996/000536 WO1997006880A2 (en) | 1995-08-11 | 1996-08-08 | Vertical skein of hollow fiber membranes and method of maintaining clean fiber surfaces |
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AU66528/96A Division AU715364C (en) | 1995-08-11 | 1996-08-08 | Vertical skein of hollow fiber membranes and method of maintaining clean fiber surfaces |
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EP2213363B1 (en) | 2008-12-22 | 2013-04-17 | Seccua GmbH Deutschland | Hollow fibre filtration device |
AU2015337112A1 (en) * | 2014-10-22 | 2017-05-18 | Koch Membrane Systems, Inc. | Membrane module system with bundle enclosures and pulsed aeration and method of operation |
CN115180687B (en) * | 2022-05-30 | 2023-10-31 | 北京水研环境科技股份有限公司 | Energy-saving and consumption-reducing process applied to membrane method wastewater treatment |
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2004
- 2004-08-12 AU AU2004203856A patent/AU2004203856C1/en not_active Ceased
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AU2004203856A1 (en) | 2004-09-09 |
AU2004203856C1 (en) | 2012-09-20 |
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