CA2468987A1 - Regenerative, multi-stage, fixed recovery pump for filtration systems - Google Patents
Regenerative, multi-stage, fixed recovery pump for filtration systems Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2468987A1 CA2468987A1 CA002468987A CA2468987A CA2468987A1 CA 2468987 A1 CA2468987 A1 CA 2468987A1 CA 002468987 A CA002468987 A CA 002468987A CA 2468987 A CA2468987 A CA 2468987A CA 2468987 A1 CA2468987 A1 CA 2468987A1
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- fluid
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- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 27
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 title abstract description 17
- 230000001172 regenerating effect Effects 0.000 title description 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 80
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 239000012466 permeate Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000004064 recycling Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 claims 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract description 28
- 238000001223 reverse osmosis Methods 0.000 abstract description 17
- 238000009295 crossflow filtration Methods 0.000 abstract description 9
- 238000001471 micro-filtration Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 238000001728 nano-filtration Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 238000012958 reprocessing Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 10
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 description 6
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000006096 absorbing agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000004907 flux Effects 0.000 description 2
- 235000014676 Phragmites communis Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005265 energy consumption Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002028 premature Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000135 prohibitive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002351 wastewater Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
- F04B9/00—Piston machines or pumps characterised by the driving or driven means to or from their working members
- F04B9/08—Piston machines or pumps characterised by the driving or driven means to or from their working members the means being fluid
- F04B9/10—Piston machines or pumps characterised by the driving or driven means to or from their working members the means being fluid the fluid being liquid
- F04B9/109—Piston machines or pumps characterised by the driving or driven means to or from their working members the means being fluid the fluid being liquid having plural pumping chambers
- F04B9/1095—Piston machines or pumps characterised by the driving or driven means to or from their working members the means being fluid the fluid being liquid having plural pumping chambers having two or more pumping chambers in series
-
- 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
- B01D61/02—Reverse osmosis; Hyperfiltration ; Nanofiltration
- B01D61/025—Reverse osmosis; Hyperfiltration
- B01D61/026—Reverse osmosis; Hyperfiltration comprising multiple reverse osmosis steps
-
- 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
- B01D61/02—Reverse osmosis; Hyperfiltration ; Nanofiltration
- B01D61/06—Energy recovery
-
- 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
- B01D61/02—Reverse osmosis; Hyperfiltration ; Nanofiltration
- B01D61/12—Controlling or regulating
-
- 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
- B01D61/145—Ultrafiltration
- B01D61/146—Ultrafiltration comprising multiple ultrafiltration steps
-
- 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
- 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
- B01D61/22—Controlling or regulating
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
- F04B9/00—Piston machines or pumps characterised by the driving or driven means to or from their working members
- F04B9/08—Piston machines or pumps characterised by the driving or driven means to or from their working members the means being fluid
- F04B9/10—Piston machines or pumps characterised by the driving or driven means to or from their working members the means being fluid the fluid being liquid
- F04B9/109—Piston machines or pumps characterised by the driving or driven means to or from their working members the means being fluid the fluid being liquid having plural pumping chambers
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Nanotechnology (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Separation Using Semi-Permeable Membranes (AREA)
Abstract
A pump system for tangential flow and cross-flow filtration systems, such as reverse osmosis, nano, and micro filtration systems, that independently fixes the percent of recovery of product water for each stage and recovers the energy normally lost in rejected waste streams. The pump (10) is positive displacement and fixes the recovery by establishing set ratios between the feed water inlet and reject stream volume of each stage of the filtration system while using the same ratio setting components to recover the energy normally expelled in reject, or concentrate, waste streams. The ratios are set by having cylinder bores (13(A-F)) of decreasing volume with associated pistons (14(A-F)) that reciprocate therein to move the fluid. The pump (10) aids in conservation of water by allowing efficient multi-stage reprocessing of the concentrate streams from all but the final stage of processing.
Description
REGENERATIVE, MULTI-STAGE, FIXED RECOVERY
PUMP FOR FILTRATION SYSTEMS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pump for use in filtration systems, and more specifically, to a multi-stage positive-displacement pump for use in tangential, crossflow filtration, and reverse osmosis systems that controls the recovery ratio of process fluids in various stages of filtration and recovers energy normally lost in expelled reject or concentrate waste streams.
Description of the Related Art Known pumping devices for tangential, crossflow filtration, and reverse osmosis filtration systems that provide for recovery of a portion of the energy normally lost with the expulsion of the reject concentrate waste stream are disclosed in U.S.
Patent Numbers 4,187,173 (Keefer Feb. 5, 1980), Re. 32,144 (Keefer, May 13, 1986) 5,496,466 (Gray, Mar. 6, 1996) and 5,589,066 (Gray, Dec 31, 1996).
Keefer's device is a single stage piston-type pump that provides for recovery of energy normally lost to the reject waste stream. Keefer's device requires various combinations of complex valve mechanisms, differential surge absorbers, piston dwells, and numerous other components. Reefer uses multiple cylinders to drive only one single stage reverse osmosis element. Reefer does not teach mufti-stage applications and is further limited to reverse osmosis elements. Reefer's use of surge absorbers and piston dwells prohibits Reefer's device from being a true positive displacement pump and also prevents the device from providing a fixed recovery ratio.
Gray's device, like Reefer's, is a single stage piston-type pump for recovering energy normally lost to the reject waste stream. Gray uses one piston dedicated to pumping and a separate piston dedicated to recovering energy and controlling recovery ratios. However, Gray does not teach mufti-stage applications of his device and is limited to reverse osmosis, and he also limits his device to hand held portable systems.
Tangential flow filter systems, in particular reverse osmosis (RO) based systems, by their very nature have a reject or waste stream composed of concentrated contaminants that do not permeate the membrane. It is this waste stream that serves to keep the membrane surfaces swept clean of contaminants that otherwise would lead to fouling of the membrane surface and subsequent loss of flux, or permeate (product water) flow, through the membrane. It is common that single RO elements have a flux that is equal to or even less than 10% of the total feed water flow, thus resulting in the loss of 90% of the feed water. It is also common in a single stage RO system for over 90% of the energy imparted into the feed water stream to be dissipated and lost in the expulsion of the reject waste stream. These situations result in the waste of energy, which may be in the form of a non-replenishable or otherwise costly resource, and water, which may itself be a costly and scarce resource. To overcome these inefficiencies, single stage systems attempt to recover a portion of the energy through systems such as those used by Keefer and Gray. However, in these systems there is no appreciable increase in the amount of feed water recovered.
Mufti-stage systems that directly feed the waste stream of a prior stage as the feed water to a subsequent stage, which in turn feeds its waste stream to a subsequent stage and so on for the total number of stages in the system, recover approximately 40% of the initial feed water flow using S stages.
With a 99% rejection of contaminants, the last stage of the system will see a concentration of contaminants in its feed water that is 1.6 times that in the first stage. This means that the pressure of the initial feed water must be 1.6 times higher than that required for the first stage, plus any pressure drops throughout the system.
This results in greater energy consumption as well as subjection of the initial stages of elements to pressures higher than required resulting in premature failure or higher costs for membranes, housings, and pumps to withstand the higher pressures.
In mufti-stage systems, as the quality of the initial feed water varies and as the performance of the individual stage elements diminishes, the back pressures required to maintain the proper recovery rate must be adjusted. It is difficult and time consuming to precisely adjust and maintain the pressures and recovery rates of the individual stages, and it is costly to provide the controls necessary to perform this task.
This results in most mufti-stage systems operating at less than peak performance.
If single stage systems that utilize energy recovery methods, such as those taught by Keefer and Gray, are ganged together by whatever means, the system would require two cylinders, along with the necessary valves, actuators, and accumulators, for each stage. This would result in a complicated system composed of at least 10 cylinders, with the necessary valves, actuators, and accumulators, for a five-stage system. The costs and maintenance of such a system would be prohibitive.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The disclosed embodiments of the invention are directed to a mufti-stage cross-flow pump and filtration system embodying the pump, as well as to a method associated with the pump and system for treatment of a fluid, such as water.
In one embodiment of the invention, a pump is provided having multiple successive cylinders of decreasing volume. At least one inlet to each cylinder communicates with a preceding cylinder to receive concentrate therefrom. The inlet to the first cylinder receives the raw fluid, and the outlet of the last cylinder expels the waste fluid.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, pistons mounted to a crankshaft to reciprocate in the cylinders move the fluid into and out of the cylinders through valves driven by cams on the crankshaft. Ideally, the first cylinder to receive the raw fluid is the largest in volume of all the cylinders. And, preferably, the last cylinder to receive fluid and eject wastes from the pump has the smallest volume of all the cylinders in the pump.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a fluid treatment system is provided that includes the foregoing pump in combination with a plurality of filters associated with the cylinders for filtering the fluid from each cylinder.
In accordance with another aspect of the foregoing embodiment, a driver is provided to rotate the crankshaft.
In accordance with a method of the present invention, a water treatment system provided that includes running a fluid to be treated through a fluid treatment apparatus that comprises a plurality cylinder chambers of varying maximum displacement; a plurality of filter chambers, each filter chamber having a filter media inserted therein; a plurality of flow lines transmitting fluid between the plurality of cylinder chambers and the plurality of filter chambers; and recycling part of the energy from the fluid not passing through one of the plurality of filter media to help run the fluid through the fluid treatment apparatus.
The disclosed embodiments of the invention function as an integral part of a mufti-stage tangential flow filtration system; provide the ability to recover a substantial portion of the energy lost in multiple expelled waste streams and the ability to maintain proper feed water to concentrate and permeate ratios and individual stage pressures in light of varying feed water quality and degradation of individual filtration elements.
The disclosed embodiments of the invention work with nano, micro, and other types of tangential flow filtration systems, but in particular with reverse osmosis based systems; and they have the ability to perform all of the above while keeping component count and complexity to a minimum and providing a high degree of reliability through the concept of utilizing subsequent cylinders as combination energy recovery, pumping, ratio fixing, and valuing devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a further understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:
PUMP FOR FILTRATION SYSTEMS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pump for use in filtration systems, and more specifically, to a multi-stage positive-displacement pump for use in tangential, crossflow filtration, and reverse osmosis systems that controls the recovery ratio of process fluids in various stages of filtration and recovers energy normally lost in expelled reject or concentrate waste streams.
Description of the Related Art Known pumping devices for tangential, crossflow filtration, and reverse osmosis filtration systems that provide for recovery of a portion of the energy normally lost with the expulsion of the reject concentrate waste stream are disclosed in U.S.
Patent Numbers 4,187,173 (Keefer Feb. 5, 1980), Re. 32,144 (Keefer, May 13, 1986) 5,496,466 (Gray, Mar. 6, 1996) and 5,589,066 (Gray, Dec 31, 1996).
Keefer's device is a single stage piston-type pump that provides for recovery of energy normally lost to the reject waste stream. Keefer's device requires various combinations of complex valve mechanisms, differential surge absorbers, piston dwells, and numerous other components. Reefer uses multiple cylinders to drive only one single stage reverse osmosis element. Reefer does not teach mufti-stage applications and is further limited to reverse osmosis elements. Reefer's use of surge absorbers and piston dwells prohibits Reefer's device from being a true positive displacement pump and also prevents the device from providing a fixed recovery ratio.
Gray's device, like Reefer's, is a single stage piston-type pump for recovering energy normally lost to the reject waste stream. Gray uses one piston dedicated to pumping and a separate piston dedicated to recovering energy and controlling recovery ratios. However, Gray does not teach mufti-stage applications of his device and is limited to reverse osmosis, and he also limits his device to hand held portable systems.
Tangential flow filter systems, in particular reverse osmosis (RO) based systems, by their very nature have a reject or waste stream composed of concentrated contaminants that do not permeate the membrane. It is this waste stream that serves to keep the membrane surfaces swept clean of contaminants that otherwise would lead to fouling of the membrane surface and subsequent loss of flux, or permeate (product water) flow, through the membrane. It is common that single RO elements have a flux that is equal to or even less than 10% of the total feed water flow, thus resulting in the loss of 90% of the feed water. It is also common in a single stage RO system for over 90% of the energy imparted into the feed water stream to be dissipated and lost in the expulsion of the reject waste stream. These situations result in the waste of energy, which may be in the form of a non-replenishable or otherwise costly resource, and water, which may itself be a costly and scarce resource. To overcome these inefficiencies, single stage systems attempt to recover a portion of the energy through systems such as those used by Keefer and Gray. However, in these systems there is no appreciable increase in the amount of feed water recovered.
Mufti-stage systems that directly feed the waste stream of a prior stage as the feed water to a subsequent stage, which in turn feeds its waste stream to a subsequent stage and so on for the total number of stages in the system, recover approximately 40% of the initial feed water flow using S stages.
With a 99% rejection of contaminants, the last stage of the system will see a concentration of contaminants in its feed water that is 1.6 times that in the first stage. This means that the pressure of the initial feed water must be 1.6 times higher than that required for the first stage, plus any pressure drops throughout the system.
This results in greater energy consumption as well as subjection of the initial stages of elements to pressures higher than required resulting in premature failure or higher costs for membranes, housings, and pumps to withstand the higher pressures.
In mufti-stage systems, as the quality of the initial feed water varies and as the performance of the individual stage elements diminishes, the back pressures required to maintain the proper recovery rate must be adjusted. It is difficult and time consuming to precisely adjust and maintain the pressures and recovery rates of the individual stages, and it is costly to provide the controls necessary to perform this task.
This results in most mufti-stage systems operating at less than peak performance.
If single stage systems that utilize energy recovery methods, such as those taught by Keefer and Gray, are ganged together by whatever means, the system would require two cylinders, along with the necessary valves, actuators, and accumulators, for each stage. This would result in a complicated system composed of at least 10 cylinders, with the necessary valves, actuators, and accumulators, for a five-stage system. The costs and maintenance of such a system would be prohibitive.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The disclosed embodiments of the invention are directed to a mufti-stage cross-flow pump and filtration system embodying the pump, as well as to a method associated with the pump and system for treatment of a fluid, such as water.
In one embodiment of the invention, a pump is provided having multiple successive cylinders of decreasing volume. At least one inlet to each cylinder communicates with a preceding cylinder to receive concentrate therefrom. The inlet to the first cylinder receives the raw fluid, and the outlet of the last cylinder expels the waste fluid.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, pistons mounted to a crankshaft to reciprocate in the cylinders move the fluid into and out of the cylinders through valves driven by cams on the crankshaft. Ideally, the first cylinder to receive the raw fluid is the largest in volume of all the cylinders. And, preferably, the last cylinder to receive fluid and eject wastes from the pump has the smallest volume of all the cylinders in the pump.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a fluid treatment system is provided that includes the foregoing pump in combination with a plurality of filters associated with the cylinders for filtering the fluid from each cylinder.
In accordance with another aspect of the foregoing embodiment, a driver is provided to rotate the crankshaft.
In accordance with a method of the present invention, a water treatment system provided that includes running a fluid to be treated through a fluid treatment apparatus that comprises a plurality cylinder chambers of varying maximum displacement; a plurality of filter chambers, each filter chamber having a filter media inserted therein; a plurality of flow lines transmitting fluid between the plurality of cylinder chambers and the plurality of filter chambers; and recycling part of the energy from the fluid not passing through one of the plurality of filter media to help run the fluid through the fluid treatment apparatus.
The disclosed embodiments of the invention function as an integral part of a mufti-stage tangential flow filtration system; provide the ability to recover a substantial portion of the energy lost in multiple expelled waste streams and the ability to maintain proper feed water to concentrate and permeate ratios and individual stage pressures in light of varying feed water quality and degradation of individual filtration elements.
The disclosed embodiments of the invention work with nano, micro, and other types of tangential flow filtration systems, but in particular with reverse osmosis based systems; and they have the ability to perform all of the above while keeping component count and complexity to a minimum and providing a high degree of reliability through the concept of utilizing subsequent cylinders as combination energy recovery, pumping, ratio fixing, and valuing devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a further understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:
Figure 1 is a cross-section of a six-cylinder, multi-valve, piston type pump that is capable of driving five stages of filtration, according to one embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 is five-stage filtration system showing the pump, filtration/RO
elements, and connecting means between the pump and elements.
Figure 3 is a front view of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a cross-section of both a typical reject stream inlet and outlet check valve showing the directions of flow.
Figure 5 is a simplified cross-section of a filtration element showing the inlet, outlets, membrane, and the flow paths of the feed, permeate, and waste streams.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 shows a cross-section of one embodiment of a pump 10 formed in accordance with the invention. Shown therein is a pump block 11 along with a pump head 12 that contain six cylinder bores 13(A-F). The six cylinder bores 13(A-F) serve to constrain six pistons 14(A-F) mounted therein. The pistons 14 (A-F) are connected by piston connecting rods 15(A-F) to a crankshaft 16 to reciprocate within their respective cylinder bores 13(A-f). The crankshaft 16 is supported by main bearings 17(A-B) that are in turn supported by the pump block 11. A cam lobe 18(A-F), which is preferably an integral part of the crankshaft 16, serves to actuate the opening and closing of reject stream control valves 19(A-F) mounted in the block 11.
Reject stream inlet check valves 20(A-F) serve to control the flow paths from the cylinder bores 13 (A-F).
Figure 4 is a view of the reject stream inlet check valve 20 and the reject stream outlet check valve 22, and is typical for all reject stream inlet check valves 20(A-F) and reject stream outlet check valves 22(A-F). An inlet check subassembly 24 allows the fluid flow to enter on the downward stroke of the pistons 14(A-F) and prohibits flow in the reverse direction on the upward stroke of the pistons 14(A-F). An outlet check subassembly 25 allows the fluid flow to exit on the upward stroke of the pistons 14(A-F) and prohibits flow in the reverse direction on the downward stroke of the pistons.
Figure 2 shows a cross-section of a treatment system having a pump 26, which is a five-stage embodiment of the invention, along with five filtration/RO
elements 27(A-E) arranged in a five-stage treatment system. An element feed inlet 28(A-E), an element permeate outlet 29(A-E), an element waste outlet 30(A-E), a system feed inlet 31, and a system waste outlet 32 serve to convey the flows of feed, permeate, and reject wastewaters into, between, and out of the five stages and the overall system.
Figure 5 is a simplified cross-section of the filtration/RO elements 27, a tangential or cross-flow filtration or RO element and is typical of all the filtration/RO
elements 27(A-E). Shown are the element feed inlet 28, the element permeate outlet 29, and the element waste outlet 30 as well as an element membrane 33, a feed stream into element 34, a waste stream out of element 35, and a permeate stream out of element 36.
Figure 3 is a front view of the pump 26, showing clockwise rotation of the crankshaft 16.
Operation of Invention Motive force, in the form of either continuous or reciprocating rotary motion and provided by a conventional source (not shown), is applied to the crankshaft 16 at either end of the pump 26.
The means of coupling the motive force to the crankshaft 16 can be by any means suitable for the torque required for the intended application. In one embodiment, the motive force will be a continuous clockwise rotary motion as viewed from the front of the pump 26, as shown in Figure 3. Also, in this embodiment, the entire system is primed and purged of all undissolved gases.
Referring to Figures l, 2, 3, 4 and 5, the basic motions during operation of the pump 26 are typical of most multi-cylinder piston type pumps, compressors, and internal combustion engines. Each of the pistons 14(A-F) perform multiple functions and are connected to the crankshaft 16 by the piston connecting rods 15(A-F).
The crankshaft 16 is formed in such a way that the pistons 14(A-F) are alternately approximately 180° out of phase with each other such that as piston 14A
begins a downstroke, so do pistons 14C and 14E. Likewise as pistons 14A, 14C, and 14E
begin their downstroke, pistons 14B, 14D, and 14F begin their upstrokes. The maximum displacement of each cylinder is established by the diameter of the cylinder bore 13(A-F) and the stroke, or distance of travel, of the pistons 14(A-F) which is established by the crankshaft 16. Either the stroke or the diameter of the various cylinders may be varied so as to change the maximum displacement of any specific cylinder. The maximum displacement of each cylinder (A-F) is progressively smaller with respect to any immediately previous cylinder. The difference in displacements establishes the ratio of feed water to reject stream for each stage set, as well as the percent recovery for each stage set. For example: assume the maximum displacement of cylinder A is 1.0 liter, while that of cylinder B is 0.9 liter. The ratio of feed water to reject stream is 10:9. The percent recovery for that stage set would be 10% - the feed water (100%) less the reject stream (90%). A stage set consists of the primary filtration/RO element 27, and the secondary element 27 for any specific pumping piston 14(A-E). For example, for piston 14A the primary element would be 27A and the secondary element would be 27B.
A typical pump cycle starts with piston 14A at top dead center. As the crankshaft 16 begins to rotate clockwise, feed water is drawn in through the system feed inlet 31, into the feed water inlet stream check valve 20A, past the inlet check subassembly 24 and into the space in the cylinder bore 13A, being evacuated by descending piston 14A. This process continues until the end of the downstroke of piston 14A is reached. At that point in the cycle, as the crankshaft 16 continues to rotate, control valve 19A opens and piston 14A starts its upstroke, pressurizing the water contained in cylinder bore 13A between piston 14A and the pump head 12, forcing it past control valve 19A, through element feed inlet 28A, and into element 27A.
As the water flows into element 27A, it would also normally tend to flow out through element waste outlet 30A, however, the flow volume out at any specific time, is limited by the volume, established in cylinder bore 13B between the pump head 12 and piston 14B. This volume is a function of the diameter of cylinder bore 13B and the distance traveled by piston 14B at any specific time during piston 14B's down stroke. This causes the pressure within element 27A and cylinder bores 13A and 13B to rise until the pressure required to flow through the element membrane 33A is reached.
This causes the instantaneous difference in volume between cylinder bores 13A
and 13B to flow through the element membrane 33A and out through the element permeate outlet 29A. Simultaneously, the pressure of the reject stream applies a downward force to the top of piston 14B. This force is transferred through the piston connecting rod 15B to the crankshaft 16 where it is converted to rotary motion, thus, recovering substantially the energy contained within the reject stream that is normally dissipated across an orifice or control valve in most prior art systems. This process continues until the end of the upstroke of piston 14A is reached. The reject stream from element 27A, captivated in and limited in volume by cylinder B, wherein the energy contained in the reject stream has been transferred to crankshaft 6, now becomes the feed source for element 27B when piston 14B starts its upstroke.
This cycle is repeated simultaneously in cylinder bores 13C and 13E and alternately in cylinders B and D. The reject from element 27B, captivated in and limited in volume by cylinder C, wherein the energy contained in the reject stream has been transferred to crankshaft 6, now becomes the feed source for element 27C
when piston 14C starts its upstroke. The reject stream from element 27C, captivated in and limited in volume by cylinder D, wherein the energy contained in the reject stream has been transferred to crankshaft 6, now becomes the re-pressurized feed source for element 27D when piston 14D starts its upstroke. The reject stream from element 27D, captivated in and limited in volume by cylinder E, wherein the energy contained in the reject stream has been transferred to crankshaft 6, now becomes the feed source for element 27E when piston 14E starts its upstroke. In cylinder F the reject stream out of element 27E flows through the element waste outlet 30E, into the reject stream inlet check valve 20F, past the inlet check subassembly 24, and into cylinder bore 13F.
During the downstroke of piston 14F, valve 19F is closed, enabling recovery and transfer of the energy in the reject stream from element 27E to the crankshaft 6. During the upstroke of piston 14F, cam lobe 18F on the crankshaft 16 opens the reject stream control valve 19F, allowing the reject stream to flow into the reject stream outlet check valve 22, past the outlet check subassembly 25, and out of the system.
The pump and system operated in accordance with the method of the invention provides an effective means of not only recovering the energy normally lost in the reject stream of a tangential flow filtration or reverse osmosis system, but also provides for precise control of the feed water to reject stream ratios in a mufti-stage system. The reader will also see that as feed water quality varies, the pump system automatically adjusts to the new conditions by increasing the pressures developed within the individual stages so as to keep the recovery percentage and feed water-to-reject stream ratios constant.
While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, while the figures show a pump with cylinder displacements that are progressively smaller by approximately 10%, the displacement differences need not be limited to 10%, and is it not required that the differences be identical.
The pistons and cylinders may have a circular or square cross-sectional configuration.
Numerous factors, such as feed water quality, temperature, power source, reject stream quality, and membrane type can affect the design of a system utilizing this invention.
Likewise, while the figures show the cylinder bore diameter being the variable in determining the displacement difference, the stroke or a combination of stroke and cylinder bore diameter could be varied to effect the displacement difference. Likewise, while the figures show a 5-stage system, any number of multiple stages are possible.
While the figures show a single element, or element set, for each stage, it is to be understood that multiple elements of like or divers types may be utilized in each stage. And, while the figures show an inline block design, the pump could be any other type such as V-block or radial design. Likewise, while the figures show a pump with pistons, connecting rods, and crankshaft, the pump could be any type of reciprocating positive displacement pump such as those that utilize diaphragms, plungers, or wobble plates, instead of pistons and cranks. Also, while the figures show ball type check valves and plug type reject stream control valves, any other type of check valve, such as reed, flapper, or even mechanically or electrically actuated valves of divers types may be utilized. Even though the description discusses a motive force that is a continuous rotary motion in one direction only, a reciprocating motion that travels in first one direction and then reverses could also be a suitable motive force.
From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims and the equivalents thereof.
Figure 2 is five-stage filtration system showing the pump, filtration/RO
elements, and connecting means between the pump and elements.
Figure 3 is a front view of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a cross-section of both a typical reject stream inlet and outlet check valve showing the directions of flow.
Figure 5 is a simplified cross-section of a filtration element showing the inlet, outlets, membrane, and the flow paths of the feed, permeate, and waste streams.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 shows a cross-section of one embodiment of a pump 10 formed in accordance with the invention. Shown therein is a pump block 11 along with a pump head 12 that contain six cylinder bores 13(A-F). The six cylinder bores 13(A-F) serve to constrain six pistons 14(A-F) mounted therein. The pistons 14 (A-F) are connected by piston connecting rods 15(A-F) to a crankshaft 16 to reciprocate within their respective cylinder bores 13(A-f). The crankshaft 16 is supported by main bearings 17(A-B) that are in turn supported by the pump block 11. A cam lobe 18(A-F), which is preferably an integral part of the crankshaft 16, serves to actuate the opening and closing of reject stream control valves 19(A-F) mounted in the block 11.
Reject stream inlet check valves 20(A-F) serve to control the flow paths from the cylinder bores 13 (A-F).
Figure 4 is a view of the reject stream inlet check valve 20 and the reject stream outlet check valve 22, and is typical for all reject stream inlet check valves 20(A-F) and reject stream outlet check valves 22(A-F). An inlet check subassembly 24 allows the fluid flow to enter on the downward stroke of the pistons 14(A-F) and prohibits flow in the reverse direction on the upward stroke of the pistons 14(A-F). An outlet check subassembly 25 allows the fluid flow to exit on the upward stroke of the pistons 14(A-F) and prohibits flow in the reverse direction on the downward stroke of the pistons.
Figure 2 shows a cross-section of a treatment system having a pump 26, which is a five-stage embodiment of the invention, along with five filtration/RO
elements 27(A-E) arranged in a five-stage treatment system. An element feed inlet 28(A-E), an element permeate outlet 29(A-E), an element waste outlet 30(A-E), a system feed inlet 31, and a system waste outlet 32 serve to convey the flows of feed, permeate, and reject wastewaters into, between, and out of the five stages and the overall system.
Figure 5 is a simplified cross-section of the filtration/RO elements 27, a tangential or cross-flow filtration or RO element and is typical of all the filtration/RO
elements 27(A-E). Shown are the element feed inlet 28, the element permeate outlet 29, and the element waste outlet 30 as well as an element membrane 33, a feed stream into element 34, a waste stream out of element 35, and a permeate stream out of element 36.
Figure 3 is a front view of the pump 26, showing clockwise rotation of the crankshaft 16.
Operation of Invention Motive force, in the form of either continuous or reciprocating rotary motion and provided by a conventional source (not shown), is applied to the crankshaft 16 at either end of the pump 26.
The means of coupling the motive force to the crankshaft 16 can be by any means suitable for the torque required for the intended application. In one embodiment, the motive force will be a continuous clockwise rotary motion as viewed from the front of the pump 26, as shown in Figure 3. Also, in this embodiment, the entire system is primed and purged of all undissolved gases.
Referring to Figures l, 2, 3, 4 and 5, the basic motions during operation of the pump 26 are typical of most multi-cylinder piston type pumps, compressors, and internal combustion engines. Each of the pistons 14(A-F) perform multiple functions and are connected to the crankshaft 16 by the piston connecting rods 15(A-F).
The crankshaft 16 is formed in such a way that the pistons 14(A-F) are alternately approximately 180° out of phase with each other such that as piston 14A
begins a downstroke, so do pistons 14C and 14E. Likewise as pistons 14A, 14C, and 14E
begin their downstroke, pistons 14B, 14D, and 14F begin their upstrokes. The maximum displacement of each cylinder is established by the diameter of the cylinder bore 13(A-F) and the stroke, or distance of travel, of the pistons 14(A-F) which is established by the crankshaft 16. Either the stroke or the diameter of the various cylinders may be varied so as to change the maximum displacement of any specific cylinder. The maximum displacement of each cylinder (A-F) is progressively smaller with respect to any immediately previous cylinder. The difference in displacements establishes the ratio of feed water to reject stream for each stage set, as well as the percent recovery for each stage set. For example: assume the maximum displacement of cylinder A is 1.0 liter, while that of cylinder B is 0.9 liter. The ratio of feed water to reject stream is 10:9. The percent recovery for that stage set would be 10% - the feed water (100%) less the reject stream (90%). A stage set consists of the primary filtration/RO element 27, and the secondary element 27 for any specific pumping piston 14(A-E). For example, for piston 14A the primary element would be 27A and the secondary element would be 27B.
A typical pump cycle starts with piston 14A at top dead center. As the crankshaft 16 begins to rotate clockwise, feed water is drawn in through the system feed inlet 31, into the feed water inlet stream check valve 20A, past the inlet check subassembly 24 and into the space in the cylinder bore 13A, being evacuated by descending piston 14A. This process continues until the end of the downstroke of piston 14A is reached. At that point in the cycle, as the crankshaft 16 continues to rotate, control valve 19A opens and piston 14A starts its upstroke, pressurizing the water contained in cylinder bore 13A between piston 14A and the pump head 12, forcing it past control valve 19A, through element feed inlet 28A, and into element 27A.
As the water flows into element 27A, it would also normally tend to flow out through element waste outlet 30A, however, the flow volume out at any specific time, is limited by the volume, established in cylinder bore 13B between the pump head 12 and piston 14B. This volume is a function of the diameter of cylinder bore 13B and the distance traveled by piston 14B at any specific time during piston 14B's down stroke. This causes the pressure within element 27A and cylinder bores 13A and 13B to rise until the pressure required to flow through the element membrane 33A is reached.
This causes the instantaneous difference in volume between cylinder bores 13A
and 13B to flow through the element membrane 33A and out through the element permeate outlet 29A. Simultaneously, the pressure of the reject stream applies a downward force to the top of piston 14B. This force is transferred through the piston connecting rod 15B to the crankshaft 16 where it is converted to rotary motion, thus, recovering substantially the energy contained within the reject stream that is normally dissipated across an orifice or control valve in most prior art systems. This process continues until the end of the upstroke of piston 14A is reached. The reject stream from element 27A, captivated in and limited in volume by cylinder B, wherein the energy contained in the reject stream has been transferred to crankshaft 6, now becomes the feed source for element 27B when piston 14B starts its upstroke.
This cycle is repeated simultaneously in cylinder bores 13C and 13E and alternately in cylinders B and D. The reject from element 27B, captivated in and limited in volume by cylinder C, wherein the energy contained in the reject stream has been transferred to crankshaft 6, now becomes the feed source for element 27C
when piston 14C starts its upstroke. The reject stream from element 27C, captivated in and limited in volume by cylinder D, wherein the energy contained in the reject stream has been transferred to crankshaft 6, now becomes the re-pressurized feed source for element 27D when piston 14D starts its upstroke. The reject stream from element 27D, captivated in and limited in volume by cylinder E, wherein the energy contained in the reject stream has been transferred to crankshaft 6, now becomes the feed source for element 27E when piston 14E starts its upstroke. In cylinder F the reject stream out of element 27E flows through the element waste outlet 30E, into the reject stream inlet check valve 20F, past the inlet check subassembly 24, and into cylinder bore 13F.
During the downstroke of piston 14F, valve 19F is closed, enabling recovery and transfer of the energy in the reject stream from element 27E to the crankshaft 6. During the upstroke of piston 14F, cam lobe 18F on the crankshaft 16 opens the reject stream control valve 19F, allowing the reject stream to flow into the reject stream outlet check valve 22, past the outlet check subassembly 25, and out of the system.
The pump and system operated in accordance with the method of the invention provides an effective means of not only recovering the energy normally lost in the reject stream of a tangential flow filtration or reverse osmosis system, but also provides for precise control of the feed water to reject stream ratios in a mufti-stage system. The reader will also see that as feed water quality varies, the pump system automatically adjusts to the new conditions by increasing the pressures developed within the individual stages so as to keep the recovery percentage and feed water-to-reject stream ratios constant.
While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, while the figures show a pump with cylinder displacements that are progressively smaller by approximately 10%, the displacement differences need not be limited to 10%, and is it not required that the differences be identical.
The pistons and cylinders may have a circular or square cross-sectional configuration.
Numerous factors, such as feed water quality, temperature, power source, reject stream quality, and membrane type can affect the design of a system utilizing this invention.
Likewise, while the figures show the cylinder bore diameter being the variable in determining the displacement difference, the stroke or a combination of stroke and cylinder bore diameter could be varied to effect the displacement difference. Likewise, while the figures show a 5-stage system, any number of multiple stages are possible.
While the figures show a single element, or element set, for each stage, it is to be understood that multiple elements of like or divers types may be utilized in each stage. And, while the figures show an inline block design, the pump could be any other type such as V-block or radial design. Likewise, while the figures show a pump with pistons, connecting rods, and crankshaft, the pump could be any type of reciprocating positive displacement pump such as those that utilize diaphragms, plungers, or wobble plates, instead of pistons and cranks. Also, while the figures show ball type check valves and plug type reject stream control valves, any other type of check valve, such as reed, flapper, or even mechanically or electrically actuated valves of divers types may be utilized. Even though the description discusses a motive force that is a continuous rotary motion in one direction only, a reciprocating motion that travels in first one direction and then reverses could also be a suitable motive force.
From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims and the equivalents thereof.
Claims (24)
1. A multiple-stage cross-flow pump and filtration system for treating a fluid, comprising:
a body having a plurality of cylinders including first, second, and third cylinders;
a group of first, second, and third cylinder bores respectively placed in the first, second, and third cylinders, each cylinder bore in the group of bores having a progressively smaller volume;
a group of first, second, and third pistons respectively placed in the first, second, and third cylinder bores thereby forming a group of first, second, and third chambers;
a cam shaft operatively connected to the first, second, and third pistons so that each piston is out of phase with an adjacent piston;
a drive motor operatively connected to the cam shaft and adapted to rotate the cam shaft during use;
a cylinder inlet to the first cylinder chamber, the cylinder inlet configured to receive the fluid;
a first filter casing having a first filter;
a casing inlet to the first filter casing, the casing inlet hydraulically connected to the first chamber and adapted to receive the fluid therefrom;
a first outlet from the first filter casing to receive the fluid passing through the first filter and to discharge the fluid;
a second outlet from the first filter casing adapted to be hydraulically connected to the second chamber and to receive the fluid bypassing the first filter;
the second cylinder chamber adapted to receive fluid from the second outlet from the first filter casing;
a second filter casing;
an inlet to the second filter casing adapted to be hydraulically connected to the second chamber and to receive the fluid therefrom;
a second filter in the second filter casing;
a first outlet from the second filter casing adapted to receive fluid passing through the second filter and to discharge the fluid;
a second outlet from the second filter casing adapted to be hydraulically connected to the third chamber and to receive the fluid bypassing the second filter;
the third cylinder chamber adapted to receive the fluid from the second outlet from the second filter casing; and an outlet from the third cylinder chamber adapted to discharge the fluid from the third cylinder chamber.
a body having a plurality of cylinders including first, second, and third cylinders;
a group of first, second, and third cylinder bores respectively placed in the first, second, and third cylinders, each cylinder bore in the group of bores having a progressively smaller volume;
a group of first, second, and third pistons respectively placed in the first, second, and third cylinder bores thereby forming a group of first, second, and third chambers;
a cam shaft operatively connected to the first, second, and third pistons so that each piston is out of phase with an adjacent piston;
a drive motor operatively connected to the cam shaft and adapted to rotate the cam shaft during use;
a cylinder inlet to the first cylinder chamber, the cylinder inlet configured to receive the fluid;
a first filter casing having a first filter;
a casing inlet to the first filter casing, the casing inlet hydraulically connected to the first chamber and adapted to receive the fluid therefrom;
a first outlet from the first filter casing to receive the fluid passing through the first filter and to discharge the fluid;
a second outlet from the first filter casing adapted to be hydraulically connected to the second chamber and to receive the fluid bypassing the first filter;
the second cylinder chamber adapted to receive fluid from the second outlet from the first filter casing;
a second filter casing;
an inlet to the second filter casing adapted to be hydraulically connected to the second chamber and to receive the fluid therefrom;
a second filter in the second filter casing;
a first outlet from the second filter casing adapted to receive fluid passing through the second filter and to discharge the fluid;
a second outlet from the second filter casing adapted to be hydraulically connected to the third chamber and to receive the fluid bypassing the second filter;
the third cylinder chamber adapted to receive the fluid from the second outlet from the second filter casing; and an outlet from the third cylinder chamber adapted to discharge the fluid from the third cylinder chamber.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein each piston is about 180 degrees out of phase with its respective adjacent piston.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the discharged fluids from the first outlets of the first and second filter casings are combined.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein each piston has a circular cross-section.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein each piston has a square cross-section.
6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a first group of first, second, and third check valves respectively hydraulically connected to the inlet to the first cylinder chamber, the second outlet from the first filter casing, and the second outlet from the second filter casing, the check valves respectively only allowing fluid flow into the first, second, and third cylinder chambers.
7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a second group of first, second, and third check valves respectively hydraulically connected to the inlet to the first filter casing, the inlet to the second filter casing, and to the outlet from the third cylinder chambers, said second group of first, second, and third check valves respectively allowing fluid flow only out of the first, second, and third cylinder chambers.
8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a group of first, second, and third control valves operatively connected to the cam and operatively configured to permit the flow of the fluid between the first, second, and third cylinder bores and the second group of first, second, and third check valves when the respective first, second, or third piston is on an up-stroke.
9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a first outlet line between the second outlet of the first filter casing and the second check valve of the first group of check valves, said first outlet line configured to receive the fluid when the first piston is on an upstroke.
10. The system of claim 8, further comprising a second outlet line between the second outlet of the second filter casing and the third check valve of the first group of check valves, said second outlet line receiving the fluid when the second piston is on an up-stroke.
11. An improved apparatus for filtering fluids, comprising:
a source of fluid to be treated;
a plurality of cylinder chambers, each cylinder chamber comprising a bore in the respective cylinder chamber, and a piston, inserted in the respective bore, each respective piston and bore combination defining a maximum displacement in the respective cylinder chamber, the maximum displacement for each respective cylinder chamber varying from every other maximum displacement for each of the remaining plurality of cylinder chambers;
a plurality of inlets respectively connected to the plurality of cylinder chambers, the inlet connected to the cylinder chamber of largest maximum displacement receiving fluid from the fluid source;
a cam shaft operatively connected to each of the plurality of pistons, each piston being out of phase with the piston inserted in the cylinder chamber of next largest maximum displacement;
a plurality of filter chambers, each filter chamber having a filter inserted therein;
a plurality of flowlines transmitting fluid between the plurality of cylinder chambers and the plurality of filter chambers, whereby the cylinder chamber of largest maximum displacement first receives fluid, fluid transmission alternates between cylinder chamber and filter chamber in said plurality of cylinder and filter chambers, and fluid transmission is successively routed to each cylinder chamber beginning with the cylinder chamber of largest maximum displacement and ending with the cylinder chamber of smallest maximum displacement;
a drive motor operatively connected to the cam shaft, whereby rotation of the cam shaft causes the fluid to be transmitted through the plurality of cylinder and filter chambers;
a plurality of permeate outlets hydraulically connected to the plurality of filter chambers, each outlet discharging fluid passing through one of the plurality of filters; and an outlet from the cylinder chamber of smallest maximum displacement, said outlet discharging fluid that does not pass through one of the plurality of filters.
a source of fluid to be treated;
a plurality of cylinder chambers, each cylinder chamber comprising a bore in the respective cylinder chamber, and a piston, inserted in the respective bore, each respective piston and bore combination defining a maximum displacement in the respective cylinder chamber, the maximum displacement for each respective cylinder chamber varying from every other maximum displacement for each of the remaining plurality of cylinder chambers;
a plurality of inlets respectively connected to the plurality of cylinder chambers, the inlet connected to the cylinder chamber of largest maximum displacement receiving fluid from the fluid source;
a cam shaft operatively connected to each of the plurality of pistons, each piston being out of phase with the piston inserted in the cylinder chamber of next largest maximum displacement;
a plurality of filter chambers, each filter chamber having a filter inserted therein;
a plurality of flowlines transmitting fluid between the plurality of cylinder chambers and the plurality of filter chambers, whereby the cylinder chamber of largest maximum displacement first receives fluid, fluid transmission alternates between cylinder chamber and filter chamber in said plurality of cylinder and filter chambers, and fluid transmission is successively routed to each cylinder chamber beginning with the cylinder chamber of largest maximum displacement and ending with the cylinder chamber of smallest maximum displacement;
a drive motor operatively connected to the cam shaft, whereby rotation of the cam shaft causes the fluid to be transmitted through the plurality of cylinder and filter chambers;
a plurality of permeate outlets hydraulically connected to the plurality of filter chambers, each outlet discharging fluid passing through one of the plurality of filters; and an outlet from the cylinder chamber of smallest maximum displacement, said outlet discharging fluid that does not pass through one of the plurality of filters.
12. The improved apparatus for filtering fluids of claim 11 wherein each piston is about 180 degrees out of phase with the piston of the cylinder chamber of next smallest maximum displacement.
13. The improved apparatus for filtering fluids of claim 11 wherein the discharged fluids from each of the plurality of permeate outlets are combined.
14. The improved apparatus for filtering fluids of claim 11 wherein each piston has a circular cross-section.
15. The improved apparatus for filtering fluids of claim 11 wherein each piston has a square cross-section.
16. The improved apparatus for filtering fluids of claim 11, further comprising a first set of check valves respectively hydraulically connected to the plurality of inlets to the plurality of cylinder chambers, each check valve in the first set respectively configured to allow the flow of fluid into each of the plurality of inlets.
17. The improved apparatus for filtering fluids of claim 16, further comprising a second set of check valves respectively hydraulically connected to the plurality of cylinders chambers, each check valve in the second set of check valves respectively configured to allow the flow of fluid out of each of the plurality of cylinder chambers.
18. The improved apparatus for filtering fluids of claim 17, further comprising a plurality of control valves operatively connected to the cam and configured to allow the flow of fluid from each cylinder chamber to the check valve respectively hydraulically connected from the second set of check valves when the respective piston is tending to push fluid out of the cylinder chamber.
19. An improved method for treating fluids, comprising:
running a fluid to be treated through a fluid treatment apparatus that comprises a plurality cylinder chambers of varying maximum displacement; a plurality of filter chambers, each filter chamber having a filter media inserted therein; a plurality of flowlines transmitting fluid between the plurality of cylinder chambers and the plurality of filter chambers; and recycling part of the energy from the fluid not passing through one of the plurality of filter media to help run the fluid through the fluid treatment apparatus.
running a fluid to be treated through a fluid treatment apparatus that comprises a plurality cylinder chambers of varying maximum displacement; a plurality of filter chambers, each filter chamber having a filter media inserted therein; a plurality of flowlines transmitting fluid between the plurality of cylinder chambers and the plurality of filter chambers; and recycling part of the energy from the fluid not passing through one of the plurality of filter media to help run the fluid through the fluid treatment apparatus.
20. A filtration apparatus, comprising:
a pump housing having a plurality of cylinder chambers, each having a piston;
a powered crankshaft that interconnects the pistons in an out of phase configuration;
a plurality of filter chambers, each having a filter media and permeate outlet;
a plurality of flow lines that convey fluid between the pump housing and the filter chambers;
an inlet for transmitting a fluid stream to be filtered to the pump housing, wherein the filter chambers are of variable volume, the filter chambers include a first filter chamber that receives fluid from the pump and plurality of other filter chambers that receive fluid from the pump that has been transmitted to the pump from the first filter chamber, and each filter chamber discharges fluid via its permeate outlet and returns some fluid to the pump.
a pump housing having a plurality of cylinder chambers, each having a piston;
a powered crankshaft that interconnects the pistons in an out of phase configuration;
a plurality of filter chambers, each having a filter media and permeate outlet;
a plurality of flow lines that convey fluid between the pump housing and the filter chambers;
an inlet for transmitting a fluid stream to be filtered to the pump housing, wherein the filter chambers are of variable volume, the filter chambers include a first filter chamber that receives fluid from the pump and plurality of other filter chambers that receive fluid from the pump that has been transmitted to the pump from the first filter chamber, and each filter chamber discharges fluid via its permeate outlet and returns some fluid to the pump.
21. A pump for a fluid treatment system, the pump comprising:
multiple successive cylinders of decreasing volume; and at least one inlet to each cylinder to communicate with an outlet of a preceding cylinder and receive concentrate therefrom, with the inlet to a first cylinder adapted to receive raw fluid, and an outlet of a last cylinder configured to expel waste fluid.
multiple successive cylinders of decreasing volume; and at least one inlet to each cylinder to communicate with an outlet of a preceding cylinder and receive concentrate therefrom, with the inlet to a first cylinder adapted to receive raw fluid, and an outlet of a last cylinder configured to expel waste fluid.
22. The pump of claim 21, wherein the first cylinder has the largest volume of all the cylinders, and the last cylinder has the smallest volume of all the cylinders.
23. A pump for a fluid treatment system, the pump comprising:
multiple successive cylinders of decreasing volume;
at least one inlet to each cylinder to communicate with an outlet of a preceding cylinder and receive concentrate therefrom, with the inlet to a first cylinder adapted to receive raw fluid, and an outlet of a last cylinder configured to expel waste fluid;
and pistons mounted to a crankshaft to reciprocate in the cylinders and move fluid into and out of the cylinders through valves driven by cams on the crankshaft.
multiple successive cylinders of decreasing volume;
at least one inlet to each cylinder to communicate with an outlet of a preceding cylinder and receive concentrate therefrom, with the inlet to a first cylinder adapted to receive raw fluid, and an outlet of a last cylinder configured to expel waste fluid;
and pistons mounted to a crankshaft to reciprocate in the cylinders and move fluid into and out of the cylinders through valves driven by cams on the crankshaft.
24. The pump of claim 23, wherein the first cylinder has the largest volume of all the cylinders, and the last cylinder has the smallest volume of all the cylinders.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US26050301P | 2001-01-09 | 2001-01-09 | |
| US60/260,503 | 2001-01-09 | ||
| PCT/US2002/001027 WO2002055173A1 (en) | 2001-01-09 | 2002-01-09 | Regenerative, multi-stage, fixed recovery pump for filtration systems |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2468987A1 true CA2468987A1 (en) | 2002-07-18 |
Family
ID=22989422
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002468987A Abandoned CA2468987A1 (en) | 2001-01-09 | 2002-01-09 | Regenerative, multi-stage, fixed recovery pump for filtration systems |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2468987A1 (en) |
| TW (1) | TW520997B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2002055173A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102008046168B4 (en) * | 2008-09-06 | 2010-06-24 | Danfoss A/S | Axial piston pump and reverse osmosis device |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3825122A (en) * | 1973-06-11 | 1974-07-23 | J Taylor | Reverse-osmosis pump |
| JPS51109286A (en) * | 1975-03-22 | 1976-09-28 | Hitachi Ltd | |
| US4187173A (en) * | 1977-03-28 | 1980-02-05 | Keefer Bowie | Reverse osmosis method and apparatus |
| US6158973A (en) * | 1998-03-26 | 2000-12-12 | Trench Plate Rental Co., Inc. | Multi-stage manual hydraulic pump |
-
2002
- 2002-01-09 WO PCT/US2002/001027 patent/WO2002055173A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2002-01-09 CA CA002468987A patent/CA2468987A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2002-02-08 TW TW091102441A patent/TW520997B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| TW520997B (en) | 2003-02-21 |
| WO2002055173A1 (en) | 2002-07-18 |
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| GB1569094A (en) | Pumps |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |