EP2175970A2

EP2175970A2 - Assembly of ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane modules, and corresponding membrane module, structure and maintenance method

Info

Publication number: EP2175970A2
Application number: EP08708800A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Pierre Jover; Christian Goudal; Pascal Thomas
Original assignee: OTV SA
Current assignee: Veolia Water Solutions and Technologies Support SAS
Priority date: 2007-02-13
Filing date: 2008-02-07
Publication date: 2010-04-21
Also published as: FR2912321A1; WO2008101816A3; WO2008101816A2; FR2912321B1

Abstract

The technique of the present invention relates to membrane modules for the ultrafiltration or microfiltration of liquids such as water, that include at least one assembly of membrane modules extending essentially in a vertical plane and at least one duct, said modules each including an elongated module body provided at both opposite ends with lower and upper removable end pieces each having at least one tapping for connection to a tapping of said duct. According to this technique, the ducts of this assembly essentially extend in said vertical plane.

Description

Set of membrane modules for ultrafiltration or microfiltration, membrane module, construction and corresponding maintenance process

1. Field The field of technology presented here is that of the design and implementation of liquid treatment facilities such as water using ultrafiltration or microfiltration modules.

2. Prior Art

Such installations conventionally include constructions intended to accommodate ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane module batteries in a vertical position and including a frame supporting liquid collectors to be treated, treated liquid and concentrate, to which the cells are connected. membrane modules.

These installations implement membrane modules which have an elongate module body inside which is housed a filtration membrane. Each of the opposite ends of the module bodies are provided with lower and upper ends having tappings for connecting the modules to the collectors. These membrane filtration modules are connected to the manifolds either by directly cooperating the branching of the end caps of the membrane modules with the taps of the manifolds, or by connecting the taps of the manifolds to the taps of the end caps of the modules by means of connection elements.

In this type of installation, the liquid to be treated is brought under pressure by a collector common to the membrane modules and filtered by the membranes present therein.

The membranes of such membrane filtration modules consist of hollow fibers of a diameter allowing the treated liquid to pass through with the impurities to be retained which it contains having a diameter greater than the pore diameter of the hollow fibers in question. The breaking capacity of the membranes is determined in particular by the diameter of these pores. The so-called microfiltration membranes have a cutoff threshold of 0.1 microns. Ultrafiltration membranes include a cutoff threshold of less than 0.04 microns.

The liquid filtered by the membranes present in the filtration modules is recovered in a manifold common to all the modules. The concentrates containing the materials retained by the membranes are in turn evacuated by a collector common to all the membrane modules.

In a conventional manner, ultrafiltration or microfiltration liquids processing installations therefore have a construction consisting of a chassis supporting three collectors and a battery of membrane modules of identical filaments connected to these collectors.

A disadvantage of this technique of the prior art is that it has a relatively low productivity because the volume of liquid treated per square meter on the floor occupied by the treatment plant remains relatively low. Indeed, the number of modules implemented in such facilities is low relative to their size which is quite high. This can be explained in particular by the fact that, in such installations, the space separating the modules is important. This is clearly shown in FIG. 10. Indeed, the way in which the modules 101 are arranged and the way in which they are connected to the collectors 102, 103, 104 requires the modules 101 to be distributed on both sides of the collectors 102. , 103, 104 to form two lateral assemblies between which are arranged the collectors 102, 103, 104.

In addition, such membrane filtration installations must be regularly maintained, in particular by replacing all or part of the membrane filtration modules of the battery modules they implement, when they no longer perform their proper function. function.

Depending on the conditions of use of these installations, the maintenance in question may consist in periodically renewing all the modules of Membrane filtration of the batteries of the installation or to change only some modules thereof.

In either case, the constructions housing these modules are designed to receive only identical membrane filtration modules of one and the same type.

Therefore, since these constructions are dedicated to only one type of membrane filtration module, the replacement of all or part of these can only be done by modules of identical shape.

However, replacing the original membrane filtration modules of the module installation with identical membrane filtration modules can pose a number of problems.

In the first place, this type of membrane filtration module may no longer be available on the market. Secondly, even if it is available on the market, the supplier of this type of module may be out of stock for a certain period. Finally, the price of these original modules can be high.

The various membrane filtration modules available on the market, if they all have common characteristics, namely a substantially cylindrical module body, end caps provided with taps at each end of the module body, do not present no less than extremely variable external parameters. Among these parameters, mention may be made of the overall length of the modules, the length of the module bodies, the diameter of the module bodies, the shape of the upper ends, the shape of the lower ends, the position of the connections on the end pieces. the diameter of the nozzles on the upper ends, the position of the stitching on the lower ends, the diameter of the stitching on the lower ends ...

These membrane modules also have variable characteristics concerning the breaking capacity of the membranes they contain as well as the effective filtration surface thereof.

In practice, the maintenance of membrane filtration installations as described above thus includes an operation of replacing all or part of the original membrane filtration modules by identical membrane filtration modules.

In extreme cases where these original membrane filtration modules are no longer available on the market, it is therefore necessary to make modifications that can sometimes be heavy to the fixed constructions accommodating these membrane modules so as to allow these ci to accommodate modules of different shapes.

Such modifications may include in particular a step of modifying the position of one or more of the collectors so as to adapt their positioning to the new parameters of the new membrane filtration modules.

It should be noted that in certain cases, such transformations are not possible because of constraints on the boundaries of such facilities. Such transformation operations, when they are possible, are complex and expensive.

Another disadvantage of this technique of the prior art is that, during the maintenance operations that are sometimes necessary, for example to replace a filtration module, the entire construction must be isolated, that is, that is, the liquid inlets and outlets must be cut for the entire building. This is notably due to the fact that all the modules implemented in such a construction are connected to common collectors. Also, even in the case where only one module must be replaced, the entire construction must be isolated from the rest of the installation, with the consequence of reducing temporarily but significantly the productivity of such a facility.

3. Objectives

The technique proposed here is intended to overcome these disadvantages of the prior art. Specifically, an objective of this technique is to provide such a technique that allows, for a given floor area, to increase the productivity of ultrafiltration or microfiltration facilities.

Another objective of this technique is to implement such a technique which makes it possible to optimize the productivity of an ultrafiltration or microfiltration installation, in particular during maintenance operations.

This technique is also intended to provide such a technique that allows the implementation of different ultrafiltration or microfiltration modules whose bodies have varying dimensional characteristics, especially as regards their diameter and or their length.

This technique also aims to provide such a technique that is simple and can be expensive to implement.

4. Description of the proposed technique These objectives, as well as others that will appear later, are achieved by means of a set of ultrafiltration membrane modules or microfiltration of liquids such as water comprising at least one set of membrane modules extending essentially in a vertical plane and at least one duct, said modules each having an elongate module body provided at its two opposite ends with lower and upper removable endpieces each having at least one connection tapping at a stitching of said conduit.

According to the proposed technique, said conduits of such a set extend essentially in said vertical plane. Thus, the proposed technique is based on a completely new and inventive approach which makes it possible to reduce the spacing between the modules and to increase the productivity of the filtration installations implementing such sets of modules, because the membrane density can be significantly increased for a given area of floor occupation of the facility. According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, said upper and lower ends have a first stitching extending substantially along the main axis of said body, and a second stitching extending along a second axis, said main axis and said second axis forming a non-zero angle. This makes it possible to connect the taps to the ducts which extend substantially in the vertical plane of the membrane modules so as to limit the size of the installations using sets of modules according to the invention and thus to increase the productivity of such installations. .

Preferably, said first stitching of said lower end pieces is blind, and said first stitching of said upper end pieces and said second stitches are open.

Blind tapping of the lower end-pieces thus makes it possible to secure the assembly of modules according to the invention, for example to a frame, whereas the opening end-pieces can be connected to the ducts so as to allow water to circulate in the ducts. modules.

Advantageously, a set of membrane modules according to the invention comprises a first duct to which said first connections of said upper ends are connected, a second duct to which are connected the second quills of said upper nozzles, a third duct to which are connected the second quills of the lower ends. .

The third conduit may thus allow raw water to be conveyed to the modules, whereas ultrafiltered or microfiltered water may circulate in the first conduit and the concentrate may circulate in the second conduit.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the set of modules according to the invention comprises connecting elements intended to connect at least some of said first and second taps to the taps of said ducts.

Advantageously, said connecting elements comprise rectilinear cuffs for the connection of said first tappings of said upper endpieces, and bent lower and upper cuffs. respectively for connecting said second tappings of said lower ends and said upper ends.

The implementation of such connection elements makes it easy to connect the membrane modules to the ducts. The angled sleeves connect the second connections to the corresponding ducts, while the straight sleeves connect the first connections of the upper ends to the corresponding ducts.

Advantageously, said sleeves are made of stainless steel and / or composite materials and / or plastic materials. The use of such materials allows in particular to avoid corrosion.

Preferably, at least some of said rectilinear cuffs are transparent.

The implementation of such transparent sleeves allows in particular to perform the integrity test. According to a preferred feature of the invention, said conduits have at one of their ends a portion forming a bend whose axis extends substantially in said vertical plane.

This allows in particular to superimpose and connect two sets of membrane modules according to the invention between them. Advantageously, a set of membrane modules according to the invention comprises means for temporarily closing said ducts.

The implementation of such sealing means may allow to isolate a set of membrane modules according to the invention the rest of an installation implementing such sets, for example during maintenance operations, without the operation of the rest of the installation is disturbed. This makes it possible to maintain a high level of productivity, even during maintenance operations.

Preferably, said temporary sealing means are isolation valves disposed at one end of each of said ducts. The invention also relates to a membrane ultrafiltration or micro filtration module intended to be implemented in a set of membrane modules according to the invention, and which comprises means of adaptation of each upper nozzle and less than at least a dimensional characteristic of said body of said module.

It is thus possible to implement bodies of modules of different sizes in a set of membrane modules according to the invention.

Thus, during maintenance operation, an operator or a technician can replace a defective module body with a commercial module body regardless of the dimensional characteristics it presents.

The lower and upper end pieces are universal end pieces to the extent that they can be implemented on membrane module bodies of different dimensions.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, said dimensional characteristic is the diameter of said body of said module.

In this case, said adaptation means advantageously comprise at least one ring interposed between each lower and upper nozzle and the body of said membrane module, said ring or rings having a first complementary contour of the inner contour of the upper and lower ends, and a second complementary contour of the outer contour of the body of said module.

It is thus possible to easily adapt the outer diameter of a membrane module body to the inner diameter of a nozzle according to the invention. This allows in particular to expand the range of module bodies that can be implemented in a set of membrane modules according to the invention. According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, said dimensional characteristic is the length of said bodies of said modules.

In this case, said adaptation means advantageously comprise threaded rods and turnbuckles connecting said upper nozzle to said lower nozzle and for securing said tips on said body and to adjust the distance separating the lower and upper ends to the length of said body . The implementation of such threaded rods and turnbuckles thus makes it possible to easily adapt variable length module bodies in sets of membrane modules according to the invention.

The invention also relates to a construction intended to accommodate a battery of ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane module assemblies according to the invention and which comprises at least one frame supporting:

said sets of membrane modules;

- a lower collector;

- two intermediate collectors; two upper collectors, said collectors being positioned essentially horizontally, and having taps; and

connecting elements making it possible to connect at least some of said taken-out conduits of said sets.

Advantageously, said frame comprises substantially vertical ladders, connected by substantially horizontal bed bases comprising longitudinal beams and crosspieces.

These sleepers make it easy to secure said sets of membrane modules according to the invention.

Preferably, said frame comprises two said bed frames defining an upper stage and a lower stage.

Each lower and upper stage can thus be composed of several sets of membrane filtration modules or microfiltration according to the invention superimposed on each other. This superposition makes it possible to increase the membrane density and therefore the productivity of such constructions. Advantageously, a wedge connects each first tapping of each of said lower ends to one of said bed bases.

Such a shim can advantageously fill length variations of the module bodies, and thus allow the body frame to be secured to different modules in particular in terms of length. According to a preferred characteristic, a construction according to the invention comprises at least two of said frames mounted in parallel.

Several frames each supporting several sets of membrane modules according to the invention can be mounted in series so as to increase the capacity and productivity of such constructions.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, a platform extends between said lower and upper stages.

The presence of such a platform can facilitate access to the components of the upper floor especially during maintenance operations. The invention also relates to a method of maintenance of a construction according to the invention and which comprises at least the steps of:

isolating at least one of said sets according to the invention requiring a maintenance operation;

depositing at least one of said membrane modules according to the invention of said isolated assembly;

depositing the body of said deposited membrane module;

selecting a replacement membrane module body to said body of said membrane module deposited among a range of membrane module bodies; adapting each of said tips of said body of said deposited membrane module to said selected substitution module body as a function of at least one dimensional characteristic of said selected substitution membrane module body;

- Securing said tips on said selected membrane module body to form a substitution module;

- Set up said substitution module in said construction;

- Connect said substitution module to said conduits.

A membrane module body of an assembly according to the invention can therefore be easily deposited and replaced by a body of a commercial membrane module, whatever the dimensional characteristics it may be. present, especially in terms of diameter and length. A set of membrane modules according to the invention therefore has a great modularity in terms of receiving membrane module body.

According to the invention, only assembly to which belongs the module to be replaced must be isolated from rest of the construction. This makes it possible to maintain a high productivity rate even during maintenance operations.

Preferentially, said step consisting in adapting each of said tips of said body of said deposited membrane module comprises the adaptation of said tips according to the diameter of said selected substitution membrane module body.

The adaptation of the membrane module bodies according to their diameter can advantageously be done by means of the rings interposed between the end pieces and the body.

Advantageously, said step consisting in adapting each of said tips of said body of said deposited membrane module comprises the adaptation as a function of the length of said selected substitution membrane module body.

The adaptation of the membrane module bodies according to their length can advantageously be done by screwing or unscrewing the turnbuckles. This adaptation can also be done by putting to length the shims connecting the first tapping of the lower ends to the frame, and by setting the length of the lower bends cranked.

According to another preferred aspect of the invention, said step of connecting said duct substitution module comprises adjusting the length of said lower cuff.

Preferentially, said step of setting up said substitution module in said construction comprises the selection and / or adaptation in length of said wedges as a function of the length of said selected substitution membrane module body. Such shims can for example pre-exist in lengths different, the final adjustment can be obtained by a length, for example by cutting ...

5. List of figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the proposed technique will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment, given as a simple illustrative and nonlimiting example, and the appended drawings, among which: FIG. 1 has a membrane module ultrafiltration or microfiltration according to the technique presented here. FIG. 2 illustrates a racket or assembly comprising a plurality of membrane modules as represented in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 illustrates a superposition of two rackets illustrated in FIG.

2; FIG. 4 represents a train of 128 membrane modules according to the technique presented here; FIG. 5 illustrates a chassis of a construction intended to accommodate a battery of sets of membrane modules according to the technique presented here; Figure 6 illustrates a frame shown in Figure 5 on which are arranged collectors; FIG. 7 represents a construction accommodating an array of modules of membrane modules according to the technique presented here; Figure 8 details a method of securing a membrane module to a frame according to the technique presented here; - Figure 9 is a representation of a workshop in which is set up an installation comprising several constructions as shown in Figure 7 in parallel; FIG. 10 illustrates an ultrafiltration or microfiltration construction according to the prior art. 6. Description of an embodiment of the technique presented here

6.1 Reminder of the principle of the technique presented here

The general principle of the technique presented here is based on the implementation of ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane module assemblies, whose opposite ends of the module bodies are provided with removable tips which have connection connections to ducts. .

According to this technique, the membrane modules extend parallel and vertically in a vertical plane, and the ducts also extend in this vertical plane.

This approach therefore makes it possible to reduce the spacing between the modules and to increase the productivity of the filtration installations using such sets of modules, since the membrane density can be considerably increased for a given area of ground occupation. of the installation.

6.2 Ultrafiltration or microfiltration module

FIG. 1 illustrates an ultrafiltration or microfiltration module according to the technique presented here.

Such an ultrafiltration or microfiltration module comprises an elongate body of cylindrical section. This body 10 is hollow so as to accommodate one or more filtration membranes (not shown). The membrane or membranes consist of hollow fibers of a diameter allowing the treated liquid to pass through with the impurities to be retained which it contains having a diameter greater than the diameter of the pores of the hollow fibers. The breaking capacity of the membranes can vary and is determined in particular by the diameter of these pores.

The opposite ends of the body 10 are provided with an upper end

11 and a lower nozzle 12. The upper end 11 and lower 12 have a first tapping 111, 121 which extends along the main axis R of the body 10 and a second tapping 112, 122 which extends the along an axis forming a non-zero angle with the main axis R of the body 10. The connections 111, 112 and 122 are opening, while the stitch 121 is blind. Indeed, as will be explained later, this tapping 121 is a fastening element of the module to a frame.

An open interconnector (not shown), housed inside the upper nozzle 11, makes it possible to connect the first tapping 111 to a conduit, and a closed interconnector (not shown), housed inside the lower nozzle 12 makes it possible to close the first quilting 121.

Each of the upper 11 and lower 12 endpieces has at least three attachment tabs 113, 123, preferably four, each traversed by a bore.

Adapter rings are interposed between the upper end 11 and lower 12 and the body 10 of the module. These rings have an inner profile of complementary shape to the outer profile of the body 10, and an outer profile complementary to the inner profile of the upper end 11 and lower end 12. It is noted that there are several rings having different dimensions so that the upper end 11 and lower 12 may be adapted to bodies 10 of commercial modules which have particular diameters of different value.

The upper end 11 and lower end 12 are held on the body 10 of the module by means of upper threaded rods 14 and lower 15. Each threaded rod 14, 15 has an end through a fastening lug 113, 123 of a tip on which is screwed a bolt 16 whose size is chosen so that it can not pass through the bore passing through the fastening tabs 113, 123. Each upper threaded rod 14 is connected to a lower threaded rod 15 by means of a turnbuckle 17.

The implementation of threaded rods and turnbuckles makes it possible to secure the upper ends 11 and lower 12 to module bodies that have different lengths.

Due to the implementation of the adapter rings and threaded rods 14, 15 connected by turnbuckles 17, the upper end pieces 11 and lower 12 constitute universal tips that can be adapted and easily secured to different bodies of commercial modules that may have different dimensional characteristics, especially with regard to their diameter and / or length. 6.3 Elementary package of ultrafiltration or microfiltration modules

FIG. 2 illustrates an elementary assembly 20 of ultrafiltration or microfiltration modules according to this technique. Such an elementary set of modules 20 is still called "racket". As shown, such an elementary assembly 20 consists of four ultrafiltration or microfiltration modules which extend vertically and parallel to each other in a substantially vertical plane P.

The first taps 111 of the upper ends 11 are connected to the connections 211 of a duct 21 inside which circulates ultrafiltered water. The hydraulic connection of the connections 111 with the connections 211 is made by means of cuffs 24 having a fixed height. These sleeves 24 are made of plastic and are transparent so as to allow the performance of an integrity test. Maintaining the cuffs 24 on the tappings 111 can for example be done by means of collars 25 which are preferably made of a plastic material or a stainless steel type material.

The second taps 112 of the upper end pieces 11 are connected to the connections 221 of a duct 22 inside which a concentrate flows. The hydraulic connection of the connections 112 with the connections 221 is made by means of bent sleeves 26 having a fixed height and preferably made of a plastic or composite material. In another embodiment, these angled sleeves could also be made of stainless steel. These cuffs 26 can also be secured to the connections 221 and the connections 112 by means of collars 25.

The second connections 122 of the lower ends 12 are connected to the connections 231 of a duct 23 inside which raw water circulates, that is to say say water to be purified. The hydraulic connection of the tappings 122 and the tappings 231 is made by means of bent sleeves 27 whose height can be adjusted according to the length of the body of the module to which it is connected. Indeed, as will be explained later, the ducts 21, 22 and 23 are fixed. The distance separating them is therefore constant. Also, the used module bodies may have different lengths, the implementation of such cuffs 27 whose length is variable allows to easily adapt and connect these modules of different length to the conduit 23.

Each of the ducts 21, 22, 23 has a through end intended to be connected to a collector and which is provided with temporary sealing means. This end has a portion forming a bend whose axis extends essentially in the plane P. In the embodiment described, the temporary closure means are isolation valves whose function will be explained in more detail by the after. As it appears, the ducts 21, 22 and 23 extend substantially in the vertical plane P of the modules, which makes it possible to reduce the space between the modules and therefore to increase the number of modules used in an installation for a given floor area.

6.4 Construction accommodating elementary assemblies of ultrafiltration or microfiltration modules

FIGS. 3 to 9 show an exemplary embodiment of a construction intended to accommodate elementary assemblies of ultrafiltration or microfiltration modules according to this technique.

In such a construction, two rackets (or elementary assemblies of filtration modules) 30 and upper 31, are superimposed, that is to say arranged one above the other essentially in the same vertical plane, and connected to each other. For this purpose, the ducts 22 and 23 of the upper rack 31 and lower 30 are interconnected. Such a superposition of two rackets is facilitated by the presence of the parts forming a bend at the end of the ducts, and may for example have a height of about 7 meters. She allows to increase the membrane density of the construction, and thus to increase productivity, that is to say, to increase the volume of treated liquid per unit of floor area of the building.

As shown in Figure 4, eight superpositions of two rackets are combined to form a block 41 of 64 filtration modules. Two blocks 41 of 64 filtration modules are combined to form a train 42 of 128 filtration modules.

In such a configuration, the filtration modules are thus divided into an upper stage 43 and a lower stage 44 each comprising 64 modules. The train 42 of filtration modules can be installed in a chassis 50

(see Figure 7). Such a frame 50 is illustrated in FIG.

The frame 50 is composed of three vertical ladders 51. Structural elements forming braces 54 can be implemented so as to reinforce the rigidity of the vertical ladders 51, and therefore that of the frame 50. The vertical ladders 51 are connected together. to the others by means of longitudinal beams 52 which extend substantially horizontally. Cross members 53 extend parallel to each other and join the longitudinal beams 52 in pairs. These crosspieces 53 form sommières for supporting the filtration modules, as will be explained in more detail later.

As shown in Figure 6, the frame 50 can support multiple collectors. In particular, it makes it possible to support two collectors 61 inside which ultrafiltered water can circulate, two collectors 62 inside which the raw water can circulate, and a collector 63 inside which the concentrate can circulate.

The collectors 61, 62, 63 may advantageously have a nominal diameter of 250 millimeters. They are placed above, between and below the sets of modules. This makes it possible to make them easily accessible in every point of the construction. Each of the collectors 61, 62, 63 has a succession of taps to which the ducts 21, 22, 23 of each racket are respectively connected.

As can be seen in FIG. 7, this frame 50 also makes it possible to support the modules that make up a train of 128 modules. More specifically, each module is connected to a cross member 53 of the frame via the first branch 121 blind of its lower end 12. Figure 8 illustrates in more detail the method of securing the modules to the frame. A shim 80 is interposed between the stitching 121 and the cross member 53 of the frame. This shim 80 comprises a bore (not shown) inside which the blind stitching 121 is inserted. The shim 80 is also provided with two lateral plates 81 which make it possible to slide the module along the crossbar 53 and centering the module on the frame 50. The height of the shim 80 may vary in order to compensate for variations in the length of the body 10 of the module used which may vary from one body to another. Each train 128 of 128 modules is connected to the networks of raw water 71, ultrafiltered water 72, backwash water 73, concentrate discharges 74, and cleaning in place 75 by means of pipes.

Such an architecture is advantageous in that it allows the upper stages 43 and lower 44 to operate hydraulically in parallel. Thus, a backwashing operation of the membranes can be, if necessary, performed independently and successively on each floor.

Furthermore, the establishment of isolation valves 28 at the end of each of the racquet ducts makes it possible to isolate the rackets independently of one another during certain maintenance operations. Thus, if it is necessary to replace a filtration module, only the racket containing it should be isolated, and the rest of the train can continue to operate normally. In such a situation, the loss of capacity of the installation will represent only about 3% of the total capacity of the installation.

In connection with FIG. 9, a workshop is presented in which five filter constructions 92 according to this technique are put in series. A platform 91 is inserted between the lower and upper floors of each installation, below the intermediate collectors. Such a platform 91 makes it possible in particular to facilitate access to the equipment of the upper floor, especially during maintenance operations. It also makes it possible to reinforce the bracing of the chassis. 6.5 Maintenance process

The technique presented here also relates to a method of maintaining an ultrafiltration or microfiltration installation by replacing at least one filtration module. Such a method includes a step of isolating from the rest of the installation at least one set of filtration modules or racket requiring the replacement of at least one module body. To do this, the isolation valves 28 located between the ducts of the racket concerned and the corresponding collectors can be closed. The use of snowshoes according to the technique presented here is particularly advantageous. Indeed, their particular architecture, and the way they are connected to different collectors, when a maintenance operation is necessary on one or more modules comprising a racket, not isolate, that is to say, to cut from the rest of the construction, only this racquet while letting the rest of the construction work. Such an architecture therefore makes it possible to maintain a high level of productivity, even during maintenance operations.

The module of the racket whose body must be replaced is then deposited. For this purpose, the sleeves connecting the ends of the module to the ducts must be disconnected, then the module must be slid outside the installation.

If the module to be deposited is between two other modules, the previous module or modules must also be deposited in the same way. The body of the module removed from the installation is then deposited. For this purpose, the turnbuckles connecting the threaded rods to secure the lower and upper ends to the body must be unscrewed, then the ends removed.

The next step is to choose a module module substitution body deposited from among a range of commercially available modules available.

There exists on the market a large variety of modules bodies whose dimensional characteristics are variable. This is particularly the case as regards the value of their diameter and their length. However, depending on the circumstances, it is common that the dimensional characteristics of the module bodies available on the market are not identical to those of the module body to be replaced. However, as has been explained, the tips used in snowshoes according to the technique presented here are universal and can therefore be adapted to different module bodies of different diameter. For this purpose, the maintenance method according to the technique presented here comprises in particular a step of adapting the selected substitution module body according to some of its dimensional characteristics.

Thus, an adapter ring is chosen from a range of available adapter rings, depending on the diameter of the selected substitution module body. The adapter ring, whose outer diameter is complementary to the inner diameter of the end pieces, will be chosen so that its inside diameter is complementary to that of the substitution module body chosen.

The selected ring is then inserted between each endpiece and the body of the module. This particular approach according to the technique presented here thus makes it possible to adapt a very large variety of module bodies.

The end pieces are then secured to the body by means of the threaded rods which are tightened by means of the turnbuckles. The implementation of such threaded rods and turnbuckles to secure the ends to the body is particularly advantageous because it allows to compensate simply and effectively. length variations between the deposited module body and the selected substitution module body. This aspect further enhances the universal nature of the end caps.

A shim for connecting the lower end to the frame is then selected or adjusted in length to compensate for the difference in length that may exist between the replaced module body and the substitution body. The shim can be chosen from a range of gauge blocks. According to one variant, the length of the shim may be adjusted, for example by an operator, in order to compensate for variations in the length of the bodies. A connecting sleeve of the lower nozzle to the conduit is also selected from a range of cuff depending on the length of the substitution body. According to one variant, the length of the connecting cuffs of the lower end piece may be adjusted by an operator.

The fact of adapting the length of the shims and the length of the sleeves for connecting the lower nozzle, makes it easy to adapt variable length substitution module bodies, and in particular to be able to connect a module between ducts whose spacing is constant regardless of the length of the body that it implements and without requiring transformation of the construction in which it takes place. The module is then inserted into the installation and its cuffs are connected to the ducts.

The isolation valves can then be reopened. The construction can then again operate at maximum capacity.

Claims

An assembly (20) of membrane modules for ultrafiltration or microfiltration of liquids such as water comprising at least one set of membrane modules extending substantially in a vertical plane (P) and at least one conduit (21, 22, 23), said modules each having an elongated module body (10) provided at its two opposite ends with lower (12) and upper (11) removable endpieces each having at least one connection connection (111, 112, 121 , 122) at a stitching (211, 221, 231) of said duct (21, 22, 23), characterized in that the said duct (s) (21, 22, 23) extend essentially in the said vertical plane (P).

2. Set (20) of membrane modules according to claim 1, characterized in that said upper (11) and lower (12) endpieces have a first tapping (111, 121) extending substantially along the main axis of said body ( 10), and a second stitching (112, 122) extending along a second axis, said major axis (R) and said second axis forming a non-zero angle.

3. Set (20) of membrane modules according to claim 2, characterized in that said first stitching (121) of said lower ends (12) is blind, and in that said first stitching (111) of said upper ends (11) and said second connections (112, 122) open.

4. Set (20) of membrane modules according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that it comprises a first conduit (21) which are connected to said first connections (111) of said upper ends (11), a second conduit (22) to which are connected the second connections (112) of said upper ends (11), a third conduit (23) to which are connected the second connections (122) of the lower ends (12).

5. Set (20) of membrane modules according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises connecting elements for connecting at least some of said first (111, 121) and second (112, 122 ) branch connections to said conduits (21, 22, 23).

Membrane module assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that said connecting elements comprise rectilinear cuffs (24) for connection of said first taps (111) of said upper ends (11), and lower cuffs (27) and upper (26) bends respectively for the connection of said second tappings (122, 112) of said lower ends (12) and said upper ends (11).

7. Set (20) of membrane modules according to claim 6, characterized in that said sleeves (24, 26, 27) are made of stainless steel and / or composite materials and / or plastic materials.

8. Set (20) of membrane modules according to any one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that at least some of said rectilinear cuffs (24, 26, 27) are transparent.

9. assembly (20) of membrane modules according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said conduits (21, 22, 23) have at one of their ends a portion forming a bend whose axis extends essentially in said vertical plane (P).

10. Set (20) of membrane modules according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that it comprises means for temporarily closing said ducts (21, 22, 23).

11. Set (20) of membrane modules according to claim 10, characterized in that said temporary closure means are isolation valves (28) disposed at one end of each of said conduits (21, 22, 23).

Membrane ultrafiltration or microfiltration module intended to be implemented in an assembly (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises means of adaptation of each upper nozzle and less than at least one dimensional characteristic of said body (10) of said module.

An ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane module according to claim 12, characterized in that said dimensional characteristic is the diameter of said body (10) of said module.

Membrane module according to Claim 13, characterized in that the said adaptation means comprise at least one ring (13) interposed between each lower (12) and upper (11) end piece and the body (10) of the said membrane module. or said rings (13) having a first complementary contour of the inner contour of the upper (11) and lower (12) ends, and a second complementary contour of the outer contour of the body (10) of said module.

Membrane module according to claim 12, characterized in that said dimensional characteristic is the length of said bodies (10) of said modules.

16. Membrane module according to claim 15, characterized in that said adaptation means comprise threaded rods (14, 15) and turnbuckles

(17) connecting said upper nozzle (11) to said lower nozzle (12) and for securing said ferrules (11, 12) to said bodies (10) and to adjust the distance between the lower (12) and upper (11) ferrules (11). ) to the length of said body (10).

17. Construction intended to accommodate a battery of ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane module assemblies according to claims 1 to 16, characterized in that it comprises at least one frame (50) supporting:

said sets (20) of membrane modules;

a lower collector (62); two intermediate collectors (61, 62);

- two upper collectors (61, 63), said collectors (61, 62, 63) being positioned substantially horizontally, and having catches; and connecting elements making it possible to connect at least some of said conduits (21, 22, 23) of said sets (20).

18. Construction intended to accommodate a battery of sets (20) ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane modules according to claim 17, characterized in that said frame (50) comprises scales (51) substantially vertical, connected by sommiers. substantially horizontal beams comprising longitudinal beams (52) and crosspieces (53).

19. Construction intended to accommodate a battery of sets (20) ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane modules according to claim 18, characterized in that said frame (50) comprises two said bed frames defining an upper stage and a lower stage.

20. A construction intended to accommodate a battery of sets (20) of ultrafiltration or micro filtration membrane modules according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that a shim (80) connects each first quilting ( 121) of each of said lower ends (12) to one of said bed bases.

21. Construction intended to accommodate a battery of sets (20) of membrane ultrafiltration or micro filtration modules according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that it comprises at least two frames (50) mounted in parallel.

22. Construction intended to accommodate a battery of sets (20) of ultrafiltration or micro filtration membrane modules according to any one of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that a platform 91) extends between said stages. lower and upper.

A method of maintaining a construction for accommodating a battery of sets (20) of ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane modules according to claims 17 to 22, said method comprising at least the steps of: isolating at least one of said assemblies (20) according to one of claims 1 to 11 requiring a maintenance operation;

depositing at least one of said membrane modules according to one of claims 12 to 16 of said isolated assembly; depositing the body (10) of said deposited membrane module;

selecting a replacement membrane module body to said body (10) of said membrane module deposited among a range of membrane module bodies;

- fitting each of said tips (11, 12) of said body (10) of said deposited membrane module to said selected substitution module body in accordance with at least one dimensional characteristic of said selected substitution membrane module body;

- Securing said tips (11, 12) on said selected membrane module body to form a substitution module;

- Set up said substitution module in said construction;

- connect said substitution module to said conduits (21, 22, 23).

24. A method of maintaining an ultrafiltration or microfiltration installation according to claim 23, characterized in that said step consisting in adapting each of said tips (11, 12) of said body (10) of said deposited membrane module comprises: adapting said tips (11, 12) according to the diameter of said selected substitution membrane module body.

25. A method of maintaining an ultrafiltration or microfiltration installation according to claim 23, wherein said step of adapting each of said end pieces deposited membrane comprises the adaptation according to the length of said body of selected substitution membrane module.

26. A method of maintaining an ultrafiltration or microfiltration plant according to any one of claims 23 to 25, characterized in that said step of connecting said substitution module to said conduits (21, 22, 23) includes adjusting the length of said lower sleeve (27).

27. A method of maintaining an ultrafiltration or microfiltration installation according to any one of claims 23 to 26, characterized in that said step of setting up said substitution module in said construction comprises the selection and / or adapting said shims (80) in length as a function of the length of said selected substitution membrane module body.