DE3731864A1 - Pharmaceutical module - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a pressure filtration module for speciality production having a test cell unit which, on the filtrate-side, has a low-pressure plate which can be connected in a pressure-resistant and fluid-tight manner to an intake-side high-pressure plate, the high-pressure plate having a feed port and a concentrate outlet port and the low-pressure plate having a filtrate outlet port, a flat filter blank or membrane, supported on a filter support, being clamped between the low-pressure plate and the high-pressure plate, a flow guiding plate, which is provided with ducts which have the configuration of a meander-like spiral changing its direction in the centre, abutting directly on the intake side of the filter blank or membrane, and the feed port and the concentrate outlet port being diametrically opposite each other and being connected to the two ends of the meander-like spiral, which invention is characterised in that the module has at least two test cell units arranged next to each other at the end surface side.

Description

The invention relates to a pressure filtration module for the Specialty production with at least two test cells units for pressure filtration and reverse osmosis is.

The test cell unit used according to the invention can thus probably for filtration as well as for permeation processes be set. In the context of the available documents hence the term filtrate used for the term Permeate.

With the previously usual separation cells for pressure filtration and reverse osmosis, the fluid to be filtered is passed through a Inlet pipe directed perpendicular to the membrane. An on the flow channel adjacent to the membrane directs the fluid into  spiral path across the membrane. At the end of the flow The fluid is then channeled through a concentrate drain dissipated.

Since the flow in the spiral flow channel Zentrifu Galk forces is exposed, forms across the flow direction a concentration gradient, so that the Kon concentration of the component that is to pass through the membrane larger on the outer boundary surface of the flow channel is as on the inner boundary surface.

The membrane can therefore be used with the usual separation cells surface not completely used for material separation will. This negatively affects the throughput of the separation cell. In addition, the flow in the flow channel is in the hitherto usual separation cells not neutral, so that the Mem bran is mechanically stressed. This affects the service life is negative.

DE-A 35 19 060 is a test cell for the pressure Filtration and reverse osmosis are described, one on one Has filter support supported membrane on which one Flow guide plate on the upstream side, the channels which has the configuration of a meandering, spiral changing in the center of their direction of rotation (turning spiral) The fluid to be filtered is fed through an inlet propped on the membrane and over a concentrate drain socket derived. These two sockets are in contact the diametrically opposite and are with the two ends of the meandering spiral connected.

This test cell known from DE-A 35 19 060 can be used for Assessment of micro, ultra and hyper filtration processes be used under neutral flow conditions. The  The focus of the applicability of this test cell is on Reverse osmosis, gas separation and pervaporation. These Separation cell can be pressed without difficulty by pressing 6000 kPa can be operated.

The mixture of substances to be filtered is used in this test cell through the flow guide plate into a multiple wound NEN channel flowed neutral along the membrane. The stream Mungskanal runs in the form of a meandering S-shaped spiral, the two ends of which are each in a semicircle shaped arch so that the central S-shape enclose. This construction prevents the heavier particles of the mixture of substances under the Influence of centrifugal forces on the outside of the flow channel accumulate since building a concentration gradient across to the direction of flow for the component that the membrane should happen, is largely disturbed.

Due to the neutral and optimized flow conditions, this test cell - as already described above - can be used in particular for test purposes, for example for testing membranes and flat filter cuts.

However, there is a problem that with such a too Results obtained for test purposes used test cell not transferred to cells used for production purposes can be. With the large ones serving for production Units are the flow conditions at the membrane completely different from the test cell used for test purposes. One can therefore use the experimental or laboratory stage Results obtained are not industrial or semi transfer industrial production. Rather, with the large units used for production again liche and cost-intensive investigations are carried out.  

The object of the present invention is therefore a print to provide the filtration module on which the test results, with the help of a test cell used for test purposes was obtained directly and therefore in a 1: 1 translation can be transferred.

This task is solved by a pressure filtration module according to claim 1.

The pressure filtration module according to the invention is particularly suitable especially for biotechnological processing and reprocessing processing method. With the help of a test cell at these Preparations or refurbishments found results can be scaled 1: 1 to the pressure of the invention transfer filtration module. Depending on the type of work up the pressure cultures according to the invention can be used in cell cultures module with different types of membranes.

Due to the special spiral guidance of the flow channels can also be particle-laden, lumpy, fibrous, slimy and viscous cultures, mixtures and substrates in the case of drawn flow conditions are filtered. The mem bran is therefore parallel under meandering flow overflows. The parallel flow to the membrane is achieved by the preferred embodiment according to claim 2 ensured.

The module according to the invention has a compact shape and can be 4, 6, 8, 10 ... and up to 40 and more test cell units exhibit.

Such a test cell is in the one already mentioned at the beginning DE-A 35 19 060 described, hereby her disclosure Reference is made.  

In a preferred pressure filtration according to the invention module, the test cell unit consists of several discrete Plate elements that are pressure and fluid resistant to each other are binding. One of these plate elements is an inlet side plate element, which with outwardly projecting inlet and drain connectors. These stand via channels running inside the plate element with one arranged on an end face of the plate element active opening.

The second plate element is a membrane plate element, which is the actual test cell unit and with the low pressure plate described above, High pressure plate, membrane and flow guide plate etc. Is provided. This membrane plate element opens the drain and inlet connection of the high pressure plate on one Front side of the membrane plate element and in such a way that the drain and inlet ports each an opening of the comes to face opposite plate element and so that they can be connected fluid and pressure resistant.

On the other end of the membrane plate element opens the filtrate nozzle.

The third plate element is a filtrate side plate element with an outwardly protruding filtrate drain connector. The latter is over in the plate running channels with one arranged on one end face Connected opening, which the Filtrat Drainstutzen of Mem comes to face and thus is fluid and pressure resistant connectable.

In this preferred embodiment, the one to be filtered Inlet through the inlet connector on the inlet side Plate element and by the adjoining, in  Plate element running channel to the inlet connection of the Membrane plate element guided. The inlet flows from there through the channels of the flow guide plate on the mem bran over and into the concentrate drain nozzle. From there the concentrate passes through an opening in the inlet side Plate element and an adjoining, channel in the plate element for drain connection piece.

The filtrate flows from the filtrate nozzle of the membrane plate core on the one end of the filtrate side Plate element arranged in the opening on it closing, running in the plate element on the filtrate side Channel and from there into the filtrate drain connector.

In a further preferred embodiment, this plate element on the filtrate side, one on each end face Opening, both with the filtrate drain in Active connection. On both sides of the filtrate side Each plate element closes a membrane plate element ment.

On the outer face of both membrane plate elements an inlet-side plate element is arranged in each case.

In this way, one is created from five plate elements standing arrangement with a plate element on the filtrate side and two membrane plate elements as well as two inlet-side Plate elements.

The seal between the openings or holes in the Front side of the inlet-side plate element and the zu Run connector or concentrate drain connector of the membrane plates elements as well as between the filtrate drain socket of the mem branch plate element and the opposite bore or  Opening of the plate element on the filtrate side can be done in the usual way Be achieved, for example by O-rings for example in a ring fold at the end of the correspond the hole can be inserted.

The plate elements can have any shape however, preferably circular or ellipsoidal disks with the same radial dimensions. This means with others Words that the cross-sectional dimensions of the plate elements are the same, with the inlet, outlet and filtrate drain connectors preferably point radially outwards.  

The test cell units or the membrane plates of the inventor pressure filtration module according to the invention are preferably with a multi-part Seal equipped. This preferred embodiment is in Claim 8 explained in more detail.

Such a seal has upper even in the pressure area half negligible leak rates for all components of the fluids to be separated.

This is mainly due to an axially movable guide ring reached, which is concentric to the flat filter cut or to the membrane and to the support sieve between this and the outer jacket of the test cell units. Between this guide ring and the flat filter cut is at least one on the high pressure side High pressure seal as well as between the guide ring and the high pressure plate provided. For this high pressure Seals are in axial and radial protrusions of the guide ring recesses, which over a Annular gap between flat filter cut and flow guide plate and a gap between the outer edge the flow guide plate and the inner edge of the guide rings for the pressurized inlet fluid in ver bond.

In order to the when the test cell unit is pressurized axial displacement of the guide ring to low pressure side out for the seal of the invention of great importance is to achieve that High-pressure plate facing effective area of the guide ring be larger than the one facing the flat filter cut. Just So when adding the vector to the guide ring axially acting forces when pressurized force resulting axially towards the low pressure side. In other words, that means radially inward and recess open axially towards the low pressure side High pressure plate must have a larger diameter  than the flat filter cut or the high pressure side a radially inward protrusion must be a smaller one Have effective area for flat filter cutting than that radially inside, axially facing the high pressure plate Protruding the guide ring towards the high pressure plate.

With the resulting axial displacement of the guide rings along the axially towards the low pressure side pointing peripheral protrusion of the high pressure plate this along its radially outward-facing boundaries surface of an axial, towards the high pressure side leading preliminary projection.

The stroke of this axial displacement is on the one hand be limits by the deformability of the high pressure seals in the grooves of the guide ring on the contact surface between between this and the flat filter blank or between the guide ring and the high pressure plate. On the other hand the maximum stroke is limited by the depth of the peri pheren concentric recess in the low pressure plate. This step-shaped recess also serves with her axially inner boundary surface as a guide surface for the guide ring. When moving axially this guide ring, the two are mentioned above high pressure seals deformed, which is inevitable Increase their contact areas with the respective seals tendency parts and an optimal adaptation to the respective Micro unevenness of the contacted surfaces causes.

In the pressure filtration module according to the invention, the Test cell units in parallel or in the form of a combination of two be nation-switched. It is also possible to invent this pressure filtration module according to the invention with different Equip membranes and carry out a fractionation, as explained in more detail below.  

The combination of two mentioned is preferably one of those described above preferred embodiment with one in the middle arranged plate element and with one membrane plate element and one inlet side plate element on each side of the center plate element on the filtrate side.

In the pressure filtration module according to the invention can each test cell unit must be clamped individually so that the high pressure plate and the low pressure plate with the required pressure against each other.

The test cell unit consists of discrete plates elements, then they can be used for each test cell unit belonging plate elements individually braced together.

A single bracing leads to higher costs and more effort, but has the advantage that each test cell unit or plate element individually replaced and serviced, for example can.

In the latter case, the pressure according to the invention has filtration module compared to usual large monolithic Devices have the advantage that individual defective test cell units even while the Module can be replaced.

In a further preferred embodiment all test cell units in an axially rigid hold ver device between two end plates tense or compressed.  

The printing end plates can be known and any Way to be pressurized and have purpose moderately the same shape and size as the test cell units or as the plate elements, so that a compact unit is created.

The invention is in the following based on the preferred Embodiments showing figure explained in more detail.

From the figures show:

Fig. 1 A test cell according to the invention device in section,

Fig. 2 is a flow guide plate (supervision) with the meandering Substituted staltung of the flow channels,

Fig. 3 shows a preferred multi-piece seal, the Figure 3 represents. The section designated in Fig. 1 A,

Fig. 4 is a plurality of discrete plates of existing pressure filtration module elements, wherein two test unit cells are summarized; the inlet-side plate elements and the filtrate-side plate element are shown in supervision, while the membrane plate elements are shown in section.

Fig. 1 shows a test cell unit for an inventive pressure filtration module. In the inflow-side high-pressure plate 1 , inlet connection 2 , concentrate outlet connection 3 and a flow guide plate 7 are inserted with a precise fit. The inlet pipe 2 and concentrate drain pipe 3 can also stretch over the high pressure plate (not shown) and be equipped with devices for connecting hoses.

The sockets 2 and 3 are inserted into the flow plate 7 so that the bores of the sockets 2 and 3 open into the flow channel 6 . The bore bottom 10 of the inlet nozzle 2 is tapered and is bored in the bottom portion so that the feed fluid flows parallel to the surface of the membrane 11 in the flow channel. 6 Accordingly, the flow channel is formed in the nozzle 3 . The deflection of the fluid in the flow channels prevents the membrane 11 from being prematurely worn out as a result of excessive mechanical stress.

The membrane 11 lies on the flow guide plate 7 and thus forms the upper wall of the flow channel 6 . A filter support 16 lies on the membrane and can be screwed to the low-pressure plate 17 on the filtrate side by means of the screw 19 inserted into the filtrate nozzle 18 . The screw 19 contains cavities through which the filtrate can flow from the filter support 16 into the filtrate nozzle 18 . The low pressure plate 17 on the filtrate side contains a groove system 20 which consists of radial grooves and grooves in the form of concentric circles. The filtrate can also pass 18 on the way through the grooves in the filtrate. This groove system promotes rapid mass transfer from the inside of the test cell into the filtrate nozzle.

The test cell is sealed on the upstream side by the sealing rings 21 and 23 . The sealing ring 24 has the function of sealing the flow guide plate towards the low-pressure plate 17 on the filtrate side. The filtrate nozzle 18 is also sealed by a sealing ring 25 .

The test cell is enclosed by a double-shell welded steel sleeve 26 , the bottom of the inflow-side high-pressure plate 1 resting on a stop ring 27 . The test cell can be closed in a pressure-tight and fluid-tight manner by means of a ring nut 28 .

The characteristic constellation of the flow channel 6 located in the flow guide plate 7 shows FIG. 2. The flow channel is guided in the manner of a serpentine spiral, which ensures that no concentration gradient of the component that is to pass through the membrane can form on the way through the flow channel transversely to the direction of flow.

In the embodiment described here, the high-pressure plate 1 and the low-pressure plate 17 are made of steel and the flow guide plate 7 is made of polyvinylidene fluid. The filter support 16 is a glass sintered plate.

Fig. 3 shows a preferred seal between the high pressure plate 1 and the filtrate-side low-pressure plate 17. The area shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to section A in FIG. 1. However, the seal according to FIG. 3 differs from the seal shown in FIG. 1.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the test cell according to the invention has an axially movable guide ring 4 , which is arranged concentrically with the membrane 11 and with a support screen 16 between the latter and the outer jacket.

The support screen 16 is framed by a peripheral peripheral sieve 8 . On the high pressure side of the strainer socket 8 under the support strainer 7 , the membrane 11 rests. The fluid-permeable support sieve 16 serves as a mechanical reinforcement for the generally relatively thin membrane 11 .

In the low pressure plate 17 on the filtrate side, a saving 5 is attached, which is open radially outwards and serves as a stop for the guide ring 4 . This guide ring 4 can move axially towards the low pressure side when pressure is applied. It comprises the membrane 11 and the support sieve holder 8 concentrically and projects axially in both directions.

The guide ring 4 engages around the diaphragm 11 on the high pressure side with a radially inwardly pointing 12 and axially toward the high pressure side protrusion 13 . The guide ring 4 forms with the radially inwardly facing boundary surface of its axial protrusion 13 a connecting channel 14 with the radially outer boundary surface of the flow guide plate 7 . In a preferred embodiment, this connecting channel 14 is designed as an annular gap and communicates with the high-pressure-side high-pressure fluid.

The radially inwardly facing jut 12 of the guide rings 4 has an open towards the membrane 11, groove 9 for receiving a high-pressure sealing ring 10 which serves to seal the diaphragm 11 relative to the guide ring. 4

The guide ring 4 also has an annular rebate-like recess 28 which is open radially outwards and axially toward the high pressure side, on the protrusion 13 pointing axially towards the high pressure side. Through this recess 28 together with an open in the high-pressure plate 1 radially inward and axially to the low-pressure side from recess 29 , the diameter of which corresponds approximately to the difference between the outer diameter of the guide ring 4 and half the width thereof, a U open to the high-pressure side shaped annular groove, which serves to receive a high pressure sealing ring 30 . This high-pressure sealing ring 30 serves to seal the joint between the guide ring 4 and the high-pressure plate 1 .

To ensure the axial displacement of the guide ring 4 towards the low-pressure side, the cutout 29 of the high-pressure plate 1 must have a larger diameter than the membrane 11 or the protrusion 12 pointing radially inward on the high-pressure side must have a smaller effective area to the membrane 11 than the radially inner one, Projection 13 of the guide ring 4 pointing axially to the high-pressure plate toward the high-pressure plate 1 .

Another high pressure seal 31 lies in a groove which is formed by the radially inner and axially to the low pressure side facing boundary surface of the recess 29 of the high pressure plate 1 and the radially outward facing boundary surface of the flow guide plate 7 . This high pressure ring 31 seals the flow guide plate 7 from the high pressure plate 1 .

The concentrate discharge nozzle 3 is a component inserted separately into the high-pressure plate 1 and is sealed against the flow-guiding plate 7 by a high-pressure sealing ring 32 in a groove 33 on the side flank.

The seal on the low-pressure side of the membrane 11 and the support sieve holder 8 towards the outer jacket is provided by a seal 34 resting on the support sieve holder 8 , which lies in a groove which is designed, for example, as a peripheral bevel of the low-pressure plate 17 .

When the axial displacement of the guide ring 4 takes place under vacuum, the high-pressure sealing ring 10 is axially compressed and at the same time radially steered due to the axial limitation by the membrane 11 , while the high-pressure sealing rings 30 and 31 and the seal 34 are axially steered and at the same time radially compressed.

More details of this preferred seal be relevant embodiments are in European Patent application 87 110 384.2 described on the Disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the test cell used according to the invention consists of discrete plate elements.

The embodiment according to FIG. 4 has two plate elements for the inlet or feed with outwardly projecting inlet and outlet connecting pieces. These are connected via bores or channels in the plate elements with openings or bores opening on the end face.

In the middle of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, a filtrate-side plate member 36 is arranged with an outwardly protruding filtrate drain connector. This filtrate drain is operatively connected via a channel running inside the plate element, each with an opening on the end face of this plate element.

On both sides of the plate element on the filtrate side, a membrane plate element 35 is arranged, which element points with its low-pressure side toward the plate on the filtrate side.

The membrane plate members 35 have the above-described high pressure plate, low pressure plate, membrane and current carrying plate.

The filtrate nozzle of the membrane plate element is available the opposite hole or opening in the filtrate side plate element in operative connection.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 thus stands for two test cell units used according to the invention.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, it is also possible not only to lead the channels present in the inlet-side plate element to one end face (ie to the membrane plate element 35 ), but also to have them open on the opposite end face and then to this end face to have another membrane plate unit follow. The same applies to the other side of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. Then, on the outside, there is again a plate element on the filtrate side, to which a membrane plate unit can be connected, etc.

It goes without saying that this is the end thing Plate element on the exposed face no opening hole or hole.  

In the manner described above, the module shown in FIG. 4 can be expanded by the desired number of plate elements, so that the desired number of test cell units is obtained.

In the pressure filtration module according to FIG. 4, the plate elements are pressed together from the outside by pressure end plates, not shown. These pressure end plates are mounted in a holding device and can be pressurized in the usual way.

Of course, it is also possible to arrange several of the two-unit units shown in FIG. 4 next to one another and to press them together by the end plates mentioned at the end.

Claims (13)

1.Pressure filtration module for specialty production with a test cell unit that has a low-pressure plate on the filtrate side, which can be connected pressure-tight and fluid-tight to an upstream high-pressure plate, the high-pressure plate having an inlet connector and a concentrate outlet connector and the low-pressure plate having a filtrate outlet connector, between the low-pressure plate and the high-pressure plate (e) is supported on a filter support (r) flat filter blank or membrane, on which (a) a flow guide plate is directly on the upstream side, which has channels which have the configuration of a meandering spiral changing in the center of their direction of rotation, and the inlet connector and the concentrate outlet connector being diametrically opposed to one another and connected to the two ends of the meandering spiral, characterized in that the module is arranged at least two side by side on the end face e has test cell unit. 2. Pressure filtration module according to claim 1, characterized in that the inlet connection ( 2 ) contains in its interior a flow channel which is curved at its connection point to the channel of the flow guide plate ( 7 ) so that the fluid, the membrane or the flat filter blank ( 11 ) parallel flows to the surface or the surface thereof and that the concentrate discharge nozzle ( 3 ) contains a similar channel in its interior. 3. Pressure filtration module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the filter support ( 18 ) is a porous sintered plate or a support sieve. 4. Pressure filtration module according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the test cell unit
an inlet-side plate element ( 34 ) with outwardly projecting inlet and outlet connecting pieces, which are connected via channels running in the plate element, each with an opening or bore arranged on an end face,
a membrane plate element, which is the actual test cell unit and contains the high pressure plate ( 1 ), the low pressure plate ( 17 ), the membrane ( 11 ) and the flow guide plate ( 7 ) etc., the inlet and outlet connections ( 2 , 3 ) being in such a manner one end face, that they are opposite the openings or bores of the inlet-side plate element and can therefore be connected in a fluid-tight and pressure-tight manner, and the filtrate nozzle ( 18 ) opens on the other end face, in particular in the middle, and
has a plate element on the filtrate side, which has an opening or bore on one end face, which can be connected to the filtrate nozzle ( 18 ) in a pressure-tight and fluid-tight manner and is connected to an outwardly projecting filtrate drain connection piece via a channel running in the plate element ( 36 ). 5. Pressure filtration module according to claim 4, characterized in that the filtratseitige plate member (36) on both end sides of an opening or bore such that the plate member (36) on both sides connected to the Filtratstutzen a membrane plate member. 6. Pressure filtration module according to claim 4 or 5, characterized, that the plate elements have the same radial outer dimensions. 7. Pressure filtration module according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized, that the plate elements are circular or ellipsoid Discs with the same circle or ellipse diameter and that the inlet connector, the drain connector and the filtrate connector at the edge radially are arranged facing outwards. 8. pressure filter module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
that the filter support ( 16 ) is equipped with a peripheral screen holder ( 8 ),
the test cell unit has an axially movable in the outer jacket, which surrounds the sieve holder ( 8 ) and the membrane ( 11 ), projects axially in both directions, and on the high-pressure side with a radially inward-pointing ( 12 ) when used as directed and axially towards the high-pressure side ( 13 ) has a guide ring ( 4 ) comprising protrusion,
at least one groove ( 9 ) open axially to the membrane ( 11 ) in the radial protrusion ( 12 ) of the guide ring ( 4 ) on the contact surface between the latter and the membrane ( 11 ) for receiving a high-pressure sealing ring ( 10 ) which is under axial tension serves to seal the membrane ( 11 ) on the high-pressure side from the guide ring ( 4 ),
there is at least one annular rabbet-like recess ( 28 ) open radially outwards and axially towards the high pressure side on the protrusion ( 13 ) of the guide ring ( 4 ) pointing axially towards the high pressure side,
a recess ( 29 ) open radially inwards and axially towards the low-pressure side, the diameter of which corresponds approximately to the difference between the outer diameter of the guide ring ( 4 ) and half the width of the same, is provided in the high-pressure plate ( 1 ),
a high-pressure seal ( 30 ) in a U-shaped annular groove open to the high-pressure side, which is defined by the recess ( 28 ) of the guide ring ( 4 ) open to the high-pressure side and by the recess ( 29 ) of the high-pressure plate ( 1 ), for sealing the Parting line between the guide ring ( 4 ) and the high pressure plate ( 1 ) is provided and
that a connecting channel ( 14 ) connects the high-pressure side to the flow space above the membrane with the high-pressure sealing ring ( 30 ). 9. Pressure filtration module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the test cell units have the same membrane or the same flat filter blank ( 11 ) and are connected in parallel. 10. Pressure filtration module according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the test cell units contain different membranes or different flat filter blanks ( 11 ) and are connected in series so that fractionation can be carried out, the outflowing from the first test cell unit the second filtrate Test cell is fed as feed. 11. Pressure filtration module according to one of the preceding Expectations, characterized, that the test cell units are axially rigid Holding device are held. 12. Pressure filtration module according to claim 11, characterized, that the holding device has two pressure end plates, between which the test cell units are under pressure loading can be clamped. 13. Use at least two of those in one of the previous ones described test cell units in combination as a production unit for the Specialty manufacturing.