CA1171363A - Filter cartridge with microporous membrane filter media for mounting in a filter housing - Google Patents
Filter cartridge with microporous membrane filter media for mounting in a filter housingInfo
- Publication number
- CA1171363A CA1171363A CA000438681A CA438681A CA1171363A CA 1171363 A CA1171363 A CA 1171363A CA 000438681 A CA000438681 A CA 000438681A CA 438681 A CA438681 A CA 438681A CA 1171363 A CA1171363 A CA 1171363A
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cartridge
- filter
- core
- liquid
- filter media
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Abstract
FILTER CARTRIDGE WITH MICROPOROUS
MEMBRANE FILTER MEDIA FOR MOUNTING
IN A FILTER HOUSING
ABSTRACT
A filter cartridge with spaced longitudinal ends to be mounted in a liquid to be filtered in a chamber of a filter housing. The cartridge comprises a microporous membrane filter media for filtering liquid flow therethrough and having a core extending longitudinally through the filter media to receive filtered liquid. A pair of end caps seals the filter media at the longitudinal ends of the cartridge and is arranged to be inserted into aligned sockets in a filter housing for mounting the cartridge in the chamber.
Each of the end caps defines a flow path therethrough in communication with the core permitting flow of filtered liquid from the core out of both ends of the cartridge.
MEMBRANE FILTER MEDIA FOR MOUNTING
IN A FILTER HOUSING
ABSTRACT
A filter cartridge with spaced longitudinal ends to be mounted in a liquid to be filtered in a chamber of a filter housing. The cartridge comprises a microporous membrane filter media for filtering liquid flow therethrough and having a core extending longitudinally through the filter media to receive filtered liquid. A pair of end caps seals the filter media at the longitudinal ends of the cartridge and is arranged to be inserted into aligned sockets in a filter housing for mounting the cartridge in the chamber.
Each of the end caps defines a flow path therethrough in communication with the core permitting flow of filtered liquid from the core out of both ends of the cartridge.
Description
~ ~713~ ~
This application is a division of Canadian patent application Serial No. 387,353-3 filed October 6, 1981.
The present invention relates to a filter cartridge to be mounted in a liquid to be filtered in a chamber of a filter housing and having a microporous membrane filter media with a core extending longitudinally therethrough with end caps sealing tnis filter media and having a flow path therethrough in communication with the core.
The specific construction of the membrane filter means disposed within the "on site of use" housing is not to be construed as a limitation of the present invention.
The filter means may be a suitably supported disc-type membrane or a membrane type filter cartridge. The present invention also contemplates simultaneously testing multiple membrane type filter cartridges and determining which, if any, individual cartridge is not suitable for usa: such cartridges belng of unique design.
Membranes are being employed in the filtra-tion of liquids w'nere sterility must be assured and bacteriological organisms must be removed. Th,is is normally accomplished by using membranes in the micro-porous range such as disclosed in U.S. patent 3,876,738.
l.S. 16, 1J~
L3~
Users of membrane filters require validation of the filters before, during and after product filtration, and it is necessary to prevent any conta~ination from being introduced from outside sources. This 5 dictates the importance of on site of use testing without creating outside sources of contamination.
In methods according to the prior art it has nor-mally been necessary to use accessory equipment such as graduated cylinders, flasks, pans, hoses, etc., 10 all of which are extraneous to the fixed on site installation. Various membrane fil-ter tests used up to this time by industry are described in an article entitled "Non-Destructive Tests For Bacterial Re-tentive Filters" by Ben Trasen which was published in 15 the September/October 1979 issue of the Journal of Parental Drug Association, pages 273 to 279.
The applicant knows of no prior art method of simultaneously testing multiple membrane filter cartridges and individually validating or positively 20 determining which one of the several cartridges is ; defective in a multi-cartridge housing. However, industry has been using multiple membrane cartridges within a single housing and, to avoid unnecessary con-tamination, has been batch testing the cartridges at 25 the point of use in a manner noted above. It should be appreciated that membrane cartridges are costly and with the batch test methods presently in use, all 1~,138 ., ~
~ 17~3~3 of the cartridges in a single housing are probably discarded when there may be only one which is bad.
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and appar-atus for testing membrane filters at the site of use.
~ Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and appara~us which requires no extraneous equipment and once the connections to the housing have been made and the housing has been closed, the integrity of the filter unit during test and use is not disturbed unless a defective membrane filter must be replaced.
Still another object of the present inven-tion is to provide a method and apparatus wherein a ~; 15 plurality of membrane filters are simultaneously tested wit~in a single housing.
And another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus~with means for deter~ining whether each of the membrane filters is acceptable for us~e. ~
And another object of the present invention is to provide a method~and apparatus with permanent inlet and outlet connections for both the test liquid and the liquid to be filtered, and inlet and outlet connections remaining undisturbed when a mem~rane filter is replaced.
:,, ~ ~ 1363 Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel membrane filter cartridge with its core open at both ends during use of the cartridge.
And still another object of the present invention is to provide a membrane filter c rtridge with redundant sealing means at its ends.
According to the above objects, from a broad aspect, there is provided a filter cartridge with spaced longitudinal ends to be mounted in a liquid to be filtered in a chamber of a filter housing. The cartridge comprises a microporous membrane filter media for filtering liquid flow therethrough and having a core extending longitudinally through the filter media to receive filtered liquid. A
pair of end caps seals the filter media at the longitudinal ends of the cartridge and is arranged to be inserted into aligned sockets in a filter housing for mounting the cartridge in the chamber. Each of the end caps defines a flow path therethrough in communication with the core permitting flow of filtered liquid from the core out of both ends of the cartridge.
The Foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the detailed description which follows, taken together wi h the accompanying drawing wherein several embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not to be construed as defining the limits of the present invention.
~13~3 - 4a -FIGURE 1 of the drawings is an elevational view of a multi-cartridge fllter with portions thereof broken away to better lllustrate the present invention.
FIGURE 2 is an elevational view of a filter in accordance.with the present invention having a disc type membrane for the filter media therein.
FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2.
I,S, 16,138 ~ ~7~ 363 While only a multi-cartridge housing is shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, a showing of a single cartridge and housing would be mere dupli-cation of the illustration provided. For clarity, 5 the novel invention will be described and discussed in connection with mu~ti-cartridges in a single housing. When applied to a single cartridge in a single cartridge housing, duplication of parts and manifolding for multi-cartridges would not be re-10 quired, as will be further discussed.
It also is to be understood that membranecartridges as used herein is intended to mean any cartridge type filters having membrane filter media.
To facilitate description, three-way valves are 15 employed to alterna~ively connect test liquid or liquid to be filtered to the inlet and outlet which may also be closed by such valves.~ A three way valve is also employed to alternatlvely close or connect the filter chamber within the housing to atmosphere 20 for venting or to control air pressure as may be required. It is~considered to be merely a matter of choice to employ such three way valves or to use separately valved line connections.
Referring~now to the drawings, and more 25 particularly to FIGURE l, the novel apparatus is pro-vided with a housing com~risin~ tubular cover 10 I.S. 16, 138 1 ~713~3 having a flange ring 11 for releasably connect-ing the cover at its lower end to a base 20 by a series of releasable connector or fastening means 12 (only one being sho~). The upper end of the-5 cover 10 is closed by a top plate 15 having a plur-ality of openings 16 with sockets or adaptors 17A
for mounting visual flow condition indicating means such as sight glasses or gages 17. Each glass or gage 17, which is provided at its inner end with a ; 10 socket or adaptor 17A, is provided at its outer end with a valve 18 the function of which will be fur~her discussed. It should be noted that the sockets or adaptors provide flow communication be-tween the upper portion of the filter chamber 13 and 5 the indicating means or sight glasses 17.
The housing comprising the cover 10 and base 20 ~efines a filter chamber 13 which is pro-vided with a port or ~low path 19 in communication with the upper portion of the filter cham~er 13. The 20 flow path 19 is provided to vent the filter chamber 13 to a~mosphere and is ~dapted to be selectively closed and connected to a source 37 of controlled air pressure having a gage 38 for instan~aneously in-dicating pressure of the controlled air, preferably by 25 provision of a three way valve 35 having a vent connection or port 36, as shown.
I.S. 16,138 ,, .
~ ~713~3 The base 20 is formed by an inner plate 21 and an outer plate 22 joined together in face to face relationship by a series of fasteners 23 (only one shown). The plates 21 and 22 are pro-5 vided with axially aligned central openings definingan inlet 24 for the filter chamber 13. The outer plate 22 is further provided with a recess 26 form-ing a manifold which provides communication between an outlet 25 in the outer plate 22 and a plurality 10 of sockets or socket openings 27 through the inner plate 21. The openings 27 are equal in number and are axially aligned with the openings 16 in the upper plate 15 or with the sockets or adaptors 17A for the sight glasses or indicating means 17. The inlet 24 15 is adapted to selectively receive test liquid and liquid to be filtered, and also be closed or connected to drain the chamber 13; while the outlet 25 is adap-ted to be selectively closed, connected to dlscharge test liquid and to discharge filtered liquid. This 20 is preferably accomplished by providing three way valve 40 to close the~inlet 24 in one position or to connect the inle~ to a source 41 of test liquid or a source 42 of liquid to be filtered. Similarly, a t~ree way valve 45 is provided to close outlet 25 or to 25 connect the outlet to a discharge line 46 for test : liquid or to a discharge line 47 for filtered liauid.
I.S. 16,1~8 .
~ 1713~3 . A suitable valved drai~ or drain valve 28 for the filter chamber 13 is provided adjacent the valve 40, as show~,or valve 40 may be made to provide a drain position. Alternatively, filter chamber 13 can be 5 fully drained by removing pressure from inlet line 41 for test liquid which is connected to inlet 24 by the valve 40,. and, opening valve 35 to vent.
A plurality of membrane cartridges 30 are provided in the filter chamber 13 each havin~ a unique 10 upper end cap or cap assembly 31 sealing the top end of the membrane and extending or being plugged into the socket 17A of a sight glass 17. Each end cap 31 ~ is provided with redundant socket seal ~eans in the : form of a pair of axially spaced O-rings 33 to prevent 15 leakage through the connection ~om the chamber 13.
Similarly, each cartridge 30 is provided with a lower end cap or cap assembly 32 sealing the bottom end of the cartridge membrane and extending into or being plugged into an appropriate socket opening 27 axially 20 aligned with the socket 17A of a sight glass or in-dicating means 17 receiving the upper end cap 31.
The lower end cap 32 is also provided with redundant , sealing in the form of a pair of axially spaced 0-rings 34. It should be particularly noted that the core of 25 each cartridge is open at both ends, and co~municates at its upper end through end cap 31 with a sight glass I,S. 16,13g ~13~3 or indicating means 17 and at its lower end through end ca~ 32, the appropriate socket 26 with the mani-fold 26 and outlet 25. Adding to the unique con-struction of the cartridge 30, the upper end cap 31 is provided with a tapered or conical inner surface 31A which connects a flow path portion of larger dia-~eter receiving the upper end of the cartridge core and assists or permi~s air bubbles to rise unimpeded from the cartridge core through a flow path portion of smaller diameter into the indica~ing means or sight glass 17.
In an arrangement having only a single cart-ridge 30 in a single cartridge housing, only one opening 16 for a single adaptor 17A and sight glass 17 would be required. The manifold 26 would be elimin-ated and a single socket open~ng 27 would be aligned with the outlet 25 in a manner similar to the inlet 24. In effect, it would be preferable to eliminate the inner plate 21 from the base 20 and the~outlet 25 would be axially aligned with the single~opening 16. In this instance, the outlet 25 would be a socket and receive the lower end cap 32 of the single cart-ridge 30.
It should be noted that the vent l9 and~
the inlet 24 are in flow communica~ion with the cham-ber 13 on the inlet side of the membranes of the I,S. 16,138 ~ :~713~3 membranes of the cartridges 30 which is considered as being the inlet chamber area. The cores of the cartridges 30 on the opposite side of the membranes, with or without the manifold 16, are considered as being the outlet chamber area in flow communication with the sight glasses or indicating means 17 and the outlet 25.
In the absence of liquid in the apparatus and with valves 18, 28, 35, 40 and 45 all closed, fasteners 12 can be rotated to release the flange 11 : and cover 10 can be removed from the base 20. An : appropriate number of cartridges 30 are put into the cover 10 with the upper end caps 31 each being inserted or plugged into the inner end or socket member 17A of a different one of the sight glasses or gages 17 while the lower end caps 32 are inserted :: or plugged into the appropriate axially aligned sockets or socket openings 27 in the base 20. The cover 10 is then reclamped to the base 20 by fasteners 12 and the apparatus is prepared for testing the mem-brane cartridges 30.
~: Initially, valve 35 is opened to vent the inlet area of chamber 13 through lines 19 and 36, and valve 40 is~operated to graduaily connect line 41 ~: 25 from a source of test liquid or wetting fluid to the inlet 24 for filling the inlet area of the chamber 13.
: '' .
I,S, 16,138 ~ 17~û3 When the test liquid starts to escape from the vent 36, the valve 35 is closed and valve 45 is openPd to connect the outlet 25 to the test liquid return line 46 providing a controlled circulating flow of test 5 liquid through the cartridges 30 to wet the membranes thereof and fill the outlet area of the filter cham-ber 13 with tes~ liquid. One by one the valves 18 are opened unless they are self venting, to fill the sight glasses or indicating means 17 with test liquid 10 and are closed as each of the sight glasses are filled. The flow rate of the test liquid can be controlled by manipulation of valves 40 and 45 but normally the tes~ liquid circulating system would be provided with valves (not shown) particularly or this 15 purpose. At this time, the filter chamber 13j cart-ridges 30 and in~ica,ing means or sight glasses 17 are all filled with test liquid.
Circulating flow of test liquid through the cartridges 30 is maintained for a nominal period of 20 time to assure that the membranes or membrane filter media of ~he cartridges 30 are sufficien~ly wet. The inlet 24 i5 now closed by the valve 40 and a nominal pressure of about 5 psig is provided to the inlet area of the chamber 13 by connecting line 19 to line 37 by 25 valve 35; line 37 being connected to a compressed air or gas source as previously stated. The nominal I.S. 16,138 pressure will cause continued flow of test liquid through the cartridges 30 from the inlet area to the outlet area until all but a thin layer of liquid remains at the bottom of the inlet area of the chamber 13.
If during the period nominal pressure is being provided to chamber 13 by monitoring the in-dicating means it is noted that air bubbles appear in one of the indicating means or sight glasses 17 causing the liquid level in the indicating means sight glasses to drop which is an indication of a - defective cartridge 30, the test either can continue by appropriate manipulation of valve 18 of that in-dicating means or sight glass and the outlet valve 45 to control flow and maintain a liquid level in the defective cartridge sight glass, or the test can be terminated. The defective cartridge~30 would then be replaced and a retest performed.
When éssentially all flow of tes~ liquid through outlet line 46 has stopped, valve 45 is closed, all valves 18 are opened and the air pressure to fil-ter chamber 13 from the source 37 of controlled air is gradually increased to the diffusional flow rate test pressure when air passes through the membranes 25 and intermittently bubbles into the sight glasses 17 escaping through the open valves 18. The intermittent escape of air bubbles should be essentially the same I.5 16,138 ~1713~3 in all of the sight glasses or indicating means 17.
Excessive bubbling in any of the sight glasses 17 would indicate a defective cartridge 30 which is in communication with the sight glass exhibiting excessive bubbling.
To determine the di.ffusional flow rate, valves 18 are closed `and valve 45 is opened connect-ing outlet 25 to line 46. Intermittent air bubbling into the sight glasses 17 will cause the liquid levels 10 therein to drop. This measured drop is timed to cal-culate the diffusional flow rate. If the calculated ~ diffusional flow rate is less than the maximum allow-able diffusional flow rate, the cartridge is acceptable.
If it is desired to determine the foam all-15 over point of a membrane cartridge 30, air pressure is gradually increased until air bubbles replace the test liquid from the indicating means or sight glasses 17 almost instantaneously, and the pressure of gage 38 wiLl provide the foam:all-over point. The air pres-20 sure should be maintained until all test liquid is ex-pelled from the outlet area of the chamber 13 on down-stream side of the membrane media of the cartridges 3~.
After tests are completed and all cartridges 30 are acceptable for use, there will be a ~hin layer 25 of test liquid or wetting fluid in the bottom of the inlet area of the chamber 13 of a depth approximately equal to the height of the bottom end caps 32 of the I,S. 16,138 11713~3 cartridges 30. Since all of the test liquid will have been drained from the sight glasses 17 and cartridges 30, with valves 18 and 45 closed, the valve ~5 is opened to vent the inlet area of the 5 chamber 13 and valve 28 is opened to drain all the test liquid remaining at tne bottom of the inlet area of chamber 13 through the inlet 24. After draining is complete, the valves 35 and 28 are closed and filtering can commence without further 10 delay by connecting inlet line 42 for liquid to be filtered to the inlet 24 by valve 40 and discharge line 47 for filtered liquid to outlet 25 by valve 45. During filtration, appropriate manipulation of the inlet valve 40 and the outlet valve 45 can con-15 trol the flow rate or the system can be providedwith automatic flow control means.
It should be readily understood that when the filter unit has but a single filter cartridge 30, there will be only one visible indicating means 17 20 with its vent valve 18. Testing of such a unit will be as previously described with only the single in-dicating means 17 being monitored and controlled by its valve 18.
Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 3, a modified 25 housing is co~prised of a cover llO and a base 120 corresponding to the cover 10 and base 20, respective-I,S, 16,138 1 171~63 ly, of FIGURE 1. The cover 110 and base 120 are releasably connected together by fastening means 112, and are formed to define a filter chamber 113 corresponding to chamber 13. In place of the mem-S brane filter cartridges 30 of FIGURE 1, a disc-type membrane filter 130 with a suitable porous or per-forated backing plate or sheet 131 is disposed in - and divides the chamber 113 into inlet and outlet : areas. The peripheries of the membrane 130 and backing plate or sheet 131 are retained or clamped between the cover 110 and base 120, and are provided thereat, as shown, with 0-ring seals 133 and 134.
: An inlet 124, in communication with the :` inlet area of the filter chamber 130, corresponds to ; 15 the inlet 24 and is adapted for similar flow control by the valve 40 while an outlet 125 in communication with the:outlet area o the filter chamber 130, corres-~:~ ponds to the outlet 25 and is adapted for similar flow ~control by the valve 45. The cover 110 is provided 20 with a vent port 119, corresponding to the flow path 19, in communication withthe inlet:area a~ the upper Fortion of the filter chamber 130 and is adapted for selective flow control by the valve 35. The modified housing also is provided with an opening or flow path 25 116 corresponding to one of the openin~s 16, and a I.S. 16,138 ~ 3~3 socket or adaptor 117A corresponding to the socket 17A. The socket 117A mounts a sight glass or visible indicating means 17, and with openings 116, provides communication for the visible indicating means 17 5 with the outlet area at the upper portion of the filter chamber i30.
The base 120 is preferably provided with a plurality of ribs 121 which extend into the outlet area of filter chamber 113 to engage and support the 10 backing plate or sheet 131 against deflection due to pressure differentials across the filter membrane 130.
This modified filter will be tested and used in the same manner as previously described re-15 lative to the filter of FIGURE l when only a singlefilter cartridge 30 is tested and used, Although several embodiments of the in-vention have been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be expressly understood that the invention 20 is not limited thereto. Various changes may be made in the design and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope o~ the invention as the same will now be understood by those skilled in the art,
This application is a division of Canadian patent application Serial No. 387,353-3 filed October 6, 1981.
The present invention relates to a filter cartridge to be mounted in a liquid to be filtered in a chamber of a filter housing and having a microporous membrane filter media with a core extending longitudinally therethrough with end caps sealing tnis filter media and having a flow path therethrough in communication with the core.
The specific construction of the membrane filter means disposed within the "on site of use" housing is not to be construed as a limitation of the present invention.
The filter means may be a suitably supported disc-type membrane or a membrane type filter cartridge. The present invention also contemplates simultaneously testing multiple membrane type filter cartridges and determining which, if any, individual cartridge is not suitable for usa: such cartridges belng of unique design.
Membranes are being employed in the filtra-tion of liquids w'nere sterility must be assured and bacteriological organisms must be removed. Th,is is normally accomplished by using membranes in the micro-porous range such as disclosed in U.S. patent 3,876,738.
l.S. 16, 1J~
L3~
Users of membrane filters require validation of the filters before, during and after product filtration, and it is necessary to prevent any conta~ination from being introduced from outside sources. This 5 dictates the importance of on site of use testing without creating outside sources of contamination.
In methods according to the prior art it has nor-mally been necessary to use accessory equipment such as graduated cylinders, flasks, pans, hoses, etc., 10 all of which are extraneous to the fixed on site installation. Various membrane fil-ter tests used up to this time by industry are described in an article entitled "Non-Destructive Tests For Bacterial Re-tentive Filters" by Ben Trasen which was published in 15 the September/October 1979 issue of the Journal of Parental Drug Association, pages 273 to 279.
The applicant knows of no prior art method of simultaneously testing multiple membrane filter cartridges and individually validating or positively 20 determining which one of the several cartridges is ; defective in a multi-cartridge housing. However, industry has been using multiple membrane cartridges within a single housing and, to avoid unnecessary con-tamination, has been batch testing the cartridges at 25 the point of use in a manner noted above. It should be appreciated that membrane cartridges are costly and with the batch test methods presently in use, all 1~,138 ., ~
~ 17~3~3 of the cartridges in a single housing are probably discarded when there may be only one which is bad.
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and appar-atus for testing membrane filters at the site of use.
~ Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and appara~us which requires no extraneous equipment and once the connections to the housing have been made and the housing has been closed, the integrity of the filter unit during test and use is not disturbed unless a defective membrane filter must be replaced.
Still another object of the present inven-tion is to provide a method and apparatus wherein a ~; 15 plurality of membrane filters are simultaneously tested wit~in a single housing.
And another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus~with means for deter~ining whether each of the membrane filters is acceptable for us~e. ~
And another object of the present invention is to provide a method~and apparatus with permanent inlet and outlet connections for both the test liquid and the liquid to be filtered, and inlet and outlet connections remaining undisturbed when a mem~rane filter is replaced.
:,, ~ ~ 1363 Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel membrane filter cartridge with its core open at both ends during use of the cartridge.
And still another object of the present invention is to provide a membrane filter c rtridge with redundant sealing means at its ends.
According to the above objects, from a broad aspect, there is provided a filter cartridge with spaced longitudinal ends to be mounted in a liquid to be filtered in a chamber of a filter housing. The cartridge comprises a microporous membrane filter media for filtering liquid flow therethrough and having a core extending longitudinally through the filter media to receive filtered liquid. A
pair of end caps seals the filter media at the longitudinal ends of the cartridge and is arranged to be inserted into aligned sockets in a filter housing for mounting the cartridge in the chamber. Each of the end caps defines a flow path therethrough in communication with the core permitting flow of filtered liquid from the core out of both ends of the cartridge.
The Foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the detailed description which follows, taken together wi h the accompanying drawing wherein several embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not to be construed as defining the limits of the present invention.
~13~3 - 4a -FIGURE 1 of the drawings is an elevational view of a multi-cartridge fllter with portions thereof broken away to better lllustrate the present invention.
FIGURE 2 is an elevational view of a filter in accordance.with the present invention having a disc type membrane for the filter media therein.
FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2.
I,S, 16,138 ~ ~7~ 363 While only a multi-cartridge housing is shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, a showing of a single cartridge and housing would be mere dupli-cation of the illustration provided. For clarity, 5 the novel invention will be described and discussed in connection with mu~ti-cartridges in a single housing. When applied to a single cartridge in a single cartridge housing, duplication of parts and manifolding for multi-cartridges would not be re-10 quired, as will be further discussed.
It also is to be understood that membranecartridges as used herein is intended to mean any cartridge type filters having membrane filter media.
To facilitate description, three-way valves are 15 employed to alterna~ively connect test liquid or liquid to be filtered to the inlet and outlet which may also be closed by such valves.~ A three way valve is also employed to alternatlvely close or connect the filter chamber within the housing to atmosphere 20 for venting or to control air pressure as may be required. It is~considered to be merely a matter of choice to employ such three way valves or to use separately valved line connections.
Referring~now to the drawings, and more 25 particularly to FIGURE l, the novel apparatus is pro-vided with a housing com~risin~ tubular cover 10 I.S. 16, 138 1 ~713~3 having a flange ring 11 for releasably connect-ing the cover at its lower end to a base 20 by a series of releasable connector or fastening means 12 (only one being sho~). The upper end of the-5 cover 10 is closed by a top plate 15 having a plur-ality of openings 16 with sockets or adaptors 17A
for mounting visual flow condition indicating means such as sight glasses or gages 17. Each glass or gage 17, which is provided at its inner end with a ; 10 socket or adaptor 17A, is provided at its outer end with a valve 18 the function of which will be fur~her discussed. It should be noted that the sockets or adaptors provide flow communication be-tween the upper portion of the filter chamber 13 and 5 the indicating means or sight glasses 17.
The housing comprising the cover 10 and base 20 ~efines a filter chamber 13 which is pro-vided with a port or ~low path 19 in communication with the upper portion of the filter cham~er 13. The 20 flow path 19 is provided to vent the filter chamber 13 to a~mosphere and is ~dapted to be selectively closed and connected to a source 37 of controlled air pressure having a gage 38 for instan~aneously in-dicating pressure of the controlled air, preferably by 25 provision of a three way valve 35 having a vent connection or port 36, as shown.
I.S. 16,138 ,, .
~ ~713~3 The base 20 is formed by an inner plate 21 and an outer plate 22 joined together in face to face relationship by a series of fasteners 23 (only one shown). The plates 21 and 22 are pro-5 vided with axially aligned central openings definingan inlet 24 for the filter chamber 13. The outer plate 22 is further provided with a recess 26 form-ing a manifold which provides communication between an outlet 25 in the outer plate 22 and a plurality 10 of sockets or socket openings 27 through the inner plate 21. The openings 27 are equal in number and are axially aligned with the openings 16 in the upper plate 15 or with the sockets or adaptors 17A for the sight glasses or indicating means 17. The inlet 24 15 is adapted to selectively receive test liquid and liquid to be filtered, and also be closed or connected to drain the chamber 13; while the outlet 25 is adap-ted to be selectively closed, connected to dlscharge test liquid and to discharge filtered liquid. This 20 is preferably accomplished by providing three way valve 40 to close the~inlet 24 in one position or to connect the inle~ to a source 41 of test liquid or a source 42 of liquid to be filtered. Similarly, a t~ree way valve 45 is provided to close outlet 25 or to 25 connect the outlet to a discharge line 46 for test : liquid or to a discharge line 47 for filtered liauid.
I.S. 16,1~8 .
~ 1713~3 . A suitable valved drai~ or drain valve 28 for the filter chamber 13 is provided adjacent the valve 40, as show~,or valve 40 may be made to provide a drain position. Alternatively, filter chamber 13 can be 5 fully drained by removing pressure from inlet line 41 for test liquid which is connected to inlet 24 by the valve 40,. and, opening valve 35 to vent.
A plurality of membrane cartridges 30 are provided in the filter chamber 13 each havin~ a unique 10 upper end cap or cap assembly 31 sealing the top end of the membrane and extending or being plugged into the socket 17A of a sight glass 17. Each end cap 31 ~ is provided with redundant socket seal ~eans in the : form of a pair of axially spaced O-rings 33 to prevent 15 leakage through the connection ~om the chamber 13.
Similarly, each cartridge 30 is provided with a lower end cap or cap assembly 32 sealing the bottom end of the cartridge membrane and extending into or being plugged into an appropriate socket opening 27 axially 20 aligned with the socket 17A of a sight glass or in-dicating means 17 receiving the upper end cap 31.
The lower end cap 32 is also provided with redundant , sealing in the form of a pair of axially spaced 0-rings 34. It should be particularly noted that the core of 25 each cartridge is open at both ends, and co~municates at its upper end through end cap 31 with a sight glass I,S. 16,13g ~13~3 or indicating means 17 and at its lower end through end ca~ 32, the appropriate socket 26 with the mani-fold 26 and outlet 25. Adding to the unique con-struction of the cartridge 30, the upper end cap 31 is provided with a tapered or conical inner surface 31A which connects a flow path portion of larger dia-~eter receiving the upper end of the cartridge core and assists or permi~s air bubbles to rise unimpeded from the cartridge core through a flow path portion of smaller diameter into the indica~ing means or sight glass 17.
In an arrangement having only a single cart-ridge 30 in a single cartridge housing, only one opening 16 for a single adaptor 17A and sight glass 17 would be required. The manifold 26 would be elimin-ated and a single socket open~ng 27 would be aligned with the outlet 25 in a manner similar to the inlet 24. In effect, it would be preferable to eliminate the inner plate 21 from the base 20 and the~outlet 25 would be axially aligned with the single~opening 16. In this instance, the outlet 25 would be a socket and receive the lower end cap 32 of the single cart-ridge 30.
It should be noted that the vent l9 and~
the inlet 24 are in flow communica~ion with the cham-ber 13 on the inlet side of the membranes of the I,S. 16,138 ~ :~713~3 membranes of the cartridges 30 which is considered as being the inlet chamber area. The cores of the cartridges 30 on the opposite side of the membranes, with or without the manifold 16, are considered as being the outlet chamber area in flow communication with the sight glasses or indicating means 17 and the outlet 25.
In the absence of liquid in the apparatus and with valves 18, 28, 35, 40 and 45 all closed, fasteners 12 can be rotated to release the flange 11 : and cover 10 can be removed from the base 20. An : appropriate number of cartridges 30 are put into the cover 10 with the upper end caps 31 each being inserted or plugged into the inner end or socket member 17A of a different one of the sight glasses or gages 17 while the lower end caps 32 are inserted :: or plugged into the appropriate axially aligned sockets or socket openings 27 in the base 20. The cover 10 is then reclamped to the base 20 by fasteners 12 and the apparatus is prepared for testing the mem-brane cartridges 30.
~: Initially, valve 35 is opened to vent the inlet area of chamber 13 through lines 19 and 36, and valve 40 is~operated to graduaily connect line 41 ~: 25 from a source of test liquid or wetting fluid to the inlet 24 for filling the inlet area of the chamber 13.
: '' .
I,S, 16,138 ~ 17~û3 When the test liquid starts to escape from the vent 36, the valve 35 is closed and valve 45 is openPd to connect the outlet 25 to the test liquid return line 46 providing a controlled circulating flow of test 5 liquid through the cartridges 30 to wet the membranes thereof and fill the outlet area of the filter cham-ber 13 with tes~ liquid. One by one the valves 18 are opened unless they are self venting, to fill the sight glasses or indicating means 17 with test liquid 10 and are closed as each of the sight glasses are filled. The flow rate of the test liquid can be controlled by manipulation of valves 40 and 45 but normally the tes~ liquid circulating system would be provided with valves (not shown) particularly or this 15 purpose. At this time, the filter chamber 13j cart-ridges 30 and in~ica,ing means or sight glasses 17 are all filled with test liquid.
Circulating flow of test liquid through the cartridges 30 is maintained for a nominal period of 20 time to assure that the membranes or membrane filter media of ~he cartridges 30 are sufficien~ly wet. The inlet 24 i5 now closed by the valve 40 and a nominal pressure of about 5 psig is provided to the inlet area of the chamber 13 by connecting line 19 to line 37 by 25 valve 35; line 37 being connected to a compressed air or gas source as previously stated. The nominal I.S. 16,138 pressure will cause continued flow of test liquid through the cartridges 30 from the inlet area to the outlet area until all but a thin layer of liquid remains at the bottom of the inlet area of the chamber 13.
If during the period nominal pressure is being provided to chamber 13 by monitoring the in-dicating means it is noted that air bubbles appear in one of the indicating means or sight glasses 17 causing the liquid level in the indicating means sight glasses to drop which is an indication of a - defective cartridge 30, the test either can continue by appropriate manipulation of valve 18 of that in-dicating means or sight glass and the outlet valve 45 to control flow and maintain a liquid level in the defective cartridge sight glass, or the test can be terminated. The defective cartridge~30 would then be replaced and a retest performed.
When éssentially all flow of tes~ liquid through outlet line 46 has stopped, valve 45 is closed, all valves 18 are opened and the air pressure to fil-ter chamber 13 from the source 37 of controlled air is gradually increased to the diffusional flow rate test pressure when air passes through the membranes 25 and intermittently bubbles into the sight glasses 17 escaping through the open valves 18. The intermittent escape of air bubbles should be essentially the same I.5 16,138 ~1713~3 in all of the sight glasses or indicating means 17.
Excessive bubbling in any of the sight glasses 17 would indicate a defective cartridge 30 which is in communication with the sight glass exhibiting excessive bubbling.
To determine the di.ffusional flow rate, valves 18 are closed `and valve 45 is opened connect-ing outlet 25 to line 46. Intermittent air bubbling into the sight glasses 17 will cause the liquid levels 10 therein to drop. This measured drop is timed to cal-culate the diffusional flow rate. If the calculated ~ diffusional flow rate is less than the maximum allow-able diffusional flow rate, the cartridge is acceptable.
If it is desired to determine the foam all-15 over point of a membrane cartridge 30, air pressure is gradually increased until air bubbles replace the test liquid from the indicating means or sight glasses 17 almost instantaneously, and the pressure of gage 38 wiLl provide the foam:all-over point. The air pres-20 sure should be maintained until all test liquid is ex-pelled from the outlet area of the chamber 13 on down-stream side of the membrane media of the cartridges 3~.
After tests are completed and all cartridges 30 are acceptable for use, there will be a ~hin layer 25 of test liquid or wetting fluid in the bottom of the inlet area of the chamber 13 of a depth approximately equal to the height of the bottom end caps 32 of the I,S. 16,138 11713~3 cartridges 30. Since all of the test liquid will have been drained from the sight glasses 17 and cartridges 30, with valves 18 and 45 closed, the valve ~5 is opened to vent the inlet area of the 5 chamber 13 and valve 28 is opened to drain all the test liquid remaining at tne bottom of the inlet area of chamber 13 through the inlet 24. After draining is complete, the valves 35 and 28 are closed and filtering can commence without further 10 delay by connecting inlet line 42 for liquid to be filtered to the inlet 24 by valve 40 and discharge line 47 for filtered liquid to outlet 25 by valve 45. During filtration, appropriate manipulation of the inlet valve 40 and the outlet valve 45 can con-15 trol the flow rate or the system can be providedwith automatic flow control means.
It should be readily understood that when the filter unit has but a single filter cartridge 30, there will be only one visible indicating means 17 20 with its vent valve 18. Testing of such a unit will be as previously described with only the single in-dicating means 17 being monitored and controlled by its valve 18.
Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 3, a modified 25 housing is co~prised of a cover llO and a base 120 corresponding to the cover 10 and base 20, respective-I,S, 16,138 1 171~63 ly, of FIGURE 1. The cover 110 and base 120 are releasably connected together by fastening means 112, and are formed to define a filter chamber 113 corresponding to chamber 13. In place of the mem-S brane filter cartridges 30 of FIGURE 1, a disc-type membrane filter 130 with a suitable porous or per-forated backing plate or sheet 131 is disposed in - and divides the chamber 113 into inlet and outlet : areas. The peripheries of the membrane 130 and backing plate or sheet 131 are retained or clamped between the cover 110 and base 120, and are provided thereat, as shown, with 0-ring seals 133 and 134.
: An inlet 124, in communication with the :` inlet area of the filter chamber 130, corresponds to ; 15 the inlet 24 and is adapted for similar flow control by the valve 40 while an outlet 125 in communication with the:outlet area o the filter chamber 130, corres-~:~ ponds to the outlet 25 and is adapted for similar flow ~control by the valve 45. The cover 110 is provided 20 with a vent port 119, corresponding to the flow path 19, in communication withthe inlet:area a~ the upper Fortion of the filter chamber 130 and is adapted for selective flow control by the valve 35. The modified housing also is provided with an opening or flow path 25 116 corresponding to one of the openin~s 16, and a I.S. 16,138 ~ 3~3 socket or adaptor 117A corresponding to the socket 17A. The socket 117A mounts a sight glass or visible indicating means 17, and with openings 116, provides communication for the visible indicating means 17 5 with the outlet area at the upper portion of the filter chamber i30.
The base 120 is preferably provided with a plurality of ribs 121 which extend into the outlet area of filter chamber 113 to engage and support the 10 backing plate or sheet 131 against deflection due to pressure differentials across the filter membrane 130.
This modified filter will be tested and used in the same manner as previously described re-15 lative to the filter of FIGURE l when only a singlefilter cartridge 30 is tested and used, Although several embodiments of the in-vention have been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be expressly understood that the invention 20 is not limited thereto. Various changes may be made in the design and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope o~ the invention as the same will now be understood by those skilled in the art,
Claims (4)
1. A filter cartridge with spaced longitudinal ends to be mounted in a liquid to be filtered in a chamber of a filter housing, comprising:
a microporous membrane filter media for filtering liquid flow therethrough and having a core extending longitudinally through said filter media to receive filtered liquid;
a pair of end caps sealing the filter media at the longitudinal ends of said cartridge and being arranged to be inserted into aligned sockets in a filter housing for mounting said cartridge in said chamber;
each of said end caps defining a flow path there-through in communication with said core permitting flow of filtered liquid from said core out of both ends of said cartridge.
a microporous membrane filter media for filtering liquid flow therethrough and having a core extending longitudinally through said filter media to receive filtered liquid;
a pair of end caps sealing the filter media at the longitudinal ends of said cartridge and being arranged to be inserted into aligned sockets in a filter housing for mounting said cartridge in said chamber;
each of said end caps defining a flow path there-through in communication with said core permitting flow of filtered liquid from said core out of both ends of said cartridge.
2. The filter cartridge of claim 1 , wherein each of said end caps is provided with a spaced pair of O-ring seals adapted to sealingly engage a socket into which said end cap is inserted.
3. The filter cartridge of claim 2, wherein said flow path through said end cap sealing said filter media at the upper end of each of said cartridges, comprises:
a portion of a larger diameter in communication with said core;
a portion of a smaller diameter at the opposite end of said flow path; and an intermediate portion connecting said portions of larger and smaller diameters together and having a tapered wall permitting any air bubbles from said core to arise unimpeded through said end cap and out of the upper end of said cartridge.
a portion of a larger diameter in communication with said core;
a portion of a smaller diameter at the opposite end of said flow path; and an intermediate portion connecting said portions of larger and smaller diameters together and having a tapered wall permitting any air bubbles from said core to arise unimpeded through said end cap and out of the upper end of said cartridge.
4. The filter cartridge of claim 3, wherein said flow path through said end caps sealing said filter media at the upper longitudinal end of said cartridge being arranged to connect said core to indicating means.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000438681A CA1171363A (en) | 1980-10-30 | 1983-10-07 | Filter cartridge with microporous membrane filter media for mounting in a filter housing |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US20285680A | 1980-10-30 | 1980-10-30 | |
| US202,856 | 1980-10-30 | ||
| US265,481 | 1981-05-20 | ||
| US06/265,481 US4384474A (en) | 1980-10-30 | 1981-05-20 | Method and apparatus for testing and using membrane filters in an on site of use housing |
| CA000387353A CA1165250A (en) | 1980-10-30 | 1981-10-06 | Method and apparatus for testing and using membrane filters in an on site of use housing |
| CA000438681A CA1171363A (en) | 1980-10-30 | 1983-10-07 | Filter cartridge with microporous membrane filter media for mounting in a filter housing |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000387353A Division CA1165250A (en) | 1980-10-30 | 1981-10-06 | Method and apparatus for testing and using membrane filters in an on site of use housing |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1171363A true CA1171363A (en) | 1984-07-24 |
Family
ID=27426333
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000438681A Expired CA1171363A (en) | 1980-10-30 | 1983-10-07 | Filter cartridge with microporous membrane filter media for mounting in a filter housing |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1171363A (en) |
-
1983
- 1983-10-07 CA CA000438681A patent/CA1171363A/en not_active Expired
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| MKEC | Expiry (correction) | ||
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