JP2003062435A - Method and apparatus for manufacturing hollow fiber membrane module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and apparatus for manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane module capable of shortening working time by automation and eliminating quality fluctuation while still more enhancing productivity. SOLUTION: In the method and apparatus for manufacturing the hollow fiber membrane module, a hollow fiber membrane bundle 2 is arranged on a pair of guides 4 and 4 so as to straddle the pair of the guides 4 and 4, which are arranged so as to leave an interval, and a cylindrical case 5 is arranged under a pair of the guides 4 and 4. The hollow fiber membrane bundle 2 is pushed toward the cylindrical case 5 from above by a push-in member 7 and bent into a U-shape while guided by a pair of the guides 4 and 4 to be inserted into the cylindrical case 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane module, and more particularly, to an automatic hollow fiber membrane module in which a hollow fiber membrane bundle is folded in two in a U shape and inserted into a tubular case. The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane module that enables manufacturing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A water purifier attached to a faucet or the like uses a hollow fiber membrane module in which a bundle of hollow fiber membranes is folded in two in a U shape and inserted into a cylindrical case. In this way, the hollow fiber membrane bundle is bent in a U-shape and inserted into the tubular case at a high filling rate, so that it is possible to realize high filtration performance despite its small size.

Conventionally, the work of bending the bundle of hollow fiber membranes into a U-shape and inserting it into the tubular case as described above has been performed exclusively by hand. In the manual work, it is necessary to make the hollow fiber membrane bundle as compact as possible, so the resin film is tightly wound around the outer circumference of the hollow fiber membrane bundle, the outer diameter is narrowed down, and then inserted into the tubular case. . However, since a hollow fiber membrane with weak strength is handled, skill is required for the narrowing down work, and an operator with a low degree of proficiency is likely to break the hollow fiber membrane when narrowing down, and further, when inserting it into the tubular case. It could damage the stack.

Therefore, there is a problem that the manufacturing time of the hollow fiber membrane module varies depending on the proficiency level, the quality also varies, and the productivity cannot be improved easily.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane module, which shortens working time by automation, eliminates quality variations, and further improves productivity.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a method for manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane module of the present invention is designed so as to straddle a pair of guides above a pair of spaced guides. The hollow fiber membrane bundle is disposed in the tubular case, the tubular case is disposed below the pair of guides, and the hollow fiber membrane bundle is pushed from above toward the tubular case and is guided by the pair of guides. However, it is characterized in that it is bent into a U shape and inserted into the tubular case.

The hollow fiber membrane module manufacturing apparatus of the present invention comprises a pair of guides arranged at intervals, and a pushing member that reciprocates between above and below the pair of guides. The pushing member pushes the hollow fiber membrane bundle arranged so as to straddle the pair of guides toward a tubular case arranged below the pair of guides, and is bent and inserted in a U shape. It is characterized by.

The hollow fiber membrane bundle is arranged above the pair of guides arranged at intervals so as to straddle both guides, while the tubular case is directed downward on the lower side. The hollow fiber membrane bundle is bent into a U-shape and both side portions are regulated between both guides by only one operation in which the central portion of the hollow fiber membrane bundle is pushed from above toward the tubular case in this state. The hollow fiber membrane module is formed by inserting it into the tubular case while guiding it.

Therefore, the production of the hollow fiber membrane module can be automated, and the production can be efficiently performed in a short time without causing the quality variation.

In order to carry out the above-mentioned automatic production more smoothly,
As a pair of guides, a pair of drum-shaped rolls that rotate freely or are positively driven may be used. Since the hourglass-shaped roll has a concave curved surface on the outer periphery, the concave curved surface compactly bundles the hollow fiber membrane bundle and facilitates insertion into the tubular case. In addition, a pushing member with a forked portion is used for pushing, and by pushing while holding the hollow fiber membrane bundle between the forked portions, it is possible to prevent the hollow fiber membrane bundle from becoming uneven and facilitate a compact insertion into the tubular case. Turn into.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the hollow fiber membrane bundle has a slippery sheet laid on the lower side and the central portion thereof is pushed by a pushing member. The slippery sheet at this time facilitates movement when guiding the hollow fiber membrane bundle to the pair of guides or the opening of the tubular case, and is inserted into the tubular case without causing damage to the single yarn. To work.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the present invention, a hollow fiber membrane module is a so-called U-shaped hollow fiber membrane module, which is an assembly in which a hollow fiber membrane bundle is folded in two in a U-shape and filled in a cylindrical case. Say. Both ends of the U-shaped hollow fiber membrane bundle are potted with resin or the like into the openings of the tubular case. The hollow fiber membrane is made of a microporous membrane having a filtering performance, and is formed of, for example, polysulfone resin. The material of the cylindrical case is not particularly limited, but is made of resin or metal.

The hollow fiber membrane bundle improves the filtration performance as the filling rate of the hollow fiber membrane bundle is increased, and the filling rate is preferably 40% or more and 60% or less. If it is less than 40%, sufficient water purification performance cannot be obtained. However, when it exceeds 60%, when the hollow fiber membrane bundle is pushed into the tubular case, mutual displacement occurs between the single yarns, which causes damage to the hollow fiber membranes.

The pair of guides arranged with a space between the two guides are located on both left and right sides of the position where the pushing member is brought into contact when the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the hollow fiber membrane bundle spanned between the two guides is pushed down. Is a means for assisting the bending of the U-shape by limiting the width within the width between both guides. The form of the guide is not particularly limited as long as it has an action of restricting both side portions of the hollow fiber membrane bundle within a certain width. For example, a rod-shaped fixed guide, a roll that is freely rotated or positively rotated, or the like can be used.

However, as the guide, it is more preferable to use a roll that reduces frictional resistance. The roll does not give excessive frictional resistance to the hollow fiber membrane bundle by free rotation or positive drive rotation in synchronization with the movement of the hollow fiber membrane bundle, so that the hollow fiber membrane bundle is not damaged. The form of the roll is particularly preferably a drum-shaped roll having a concavely curved outer periphery. The drum-shaped roll not only does not give frictional resistance by rotating freely or positively, but also gives the hollow fiber membrane bundle a focusing property by the concave curved surface, so the hollow fiber membrane bundle is compactly pushed into the cylindrical case. Smooth the action.

The pushing member is arranged so as to reciprocate between the upper side and the lower side of the pair of guides. The pushing member pushes the intermediate portion of the hollow fiber membrane bundle arranged so as to straddle both guides toward the tubular case, and the hollow fiber membrane bundle is bent into a U shape by the pushing and pushed into the tubular case. Acts like to.

It is preferable that the pushing member is formed in a flat plate shape, and the tip portion is formed into a bifurcated portion having two corners. When the middle portion of the hollow fiber membrane bundle is pushed by this pushing member, the bifurcated portion sandwiches the hollow fiber membrane bundle from the outside so that the single yarn does not come apart and the insertion operation into the tubular case is facilitated. As a material for the pushing member, a metal such as stainless steel having excellent toughness or a resin such as nylon or ABS is used.

When the hollow fiber membrane bundle is pushed by the pushing member, it is preferable to lay the slippery sheet under the hollow fiber membrane bundle. By laying a slippery sheet, when the hollow fiber membrane bundle is bent into a U shape by the pushing member, when both sides thereof pass through the pair of guides or when passing through the opening of the tubular case, The slippery sheet promotes slip and smooth movement. Therefore, the hollow fiber membrane bundle is moved without damaging it.

The material of the slippery sheet is not particularly limited as long as it has good slipperiness. A resin film, a cloth (nonwoven fabric, woven or knitted material), etc. are preferable. In particular, a resin film of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester or the like is preferable, and a thickness of 5 to 30 μm is preferable.
Porous sheets are particularly preferred.

The position at which the hollow fiber membrane bundle is set before the pushing operation may be direct or indirect as long as it extends over a pair of guides. But,
Preferably, a cassette (tray) having a through hole on the bottom surface
It is preferable that the guides are set inside, and are laterally provided above the pair of guides while being held in the cassette. When setting the hollow fiber membrane bundle in such a cassette, it is more preferable to lay the above-mentioned slippery sheet on the lower side.

1 (A) and 1 (B) exemplify an apparatus for carrying out the method for manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane module of the present invention for a hollow fiber membrane module for a water purifier.

As a pair of guides, a pair of drum-shaped rolls 1,
1 is provided, and carriers 10 and 2 horizontally moving above and below the pair of hourglass-shaped rolls 1 and 1, respectively.
0 is set.

A plurality of cassettes 3 are set on the carrier 10 on the upper side at a constant pitch, and a resin film 4 (slippery sheet) is laid on the lower side of each cassette 3 to hold the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2. ing. Each cassette 3 has a hole 3 on the bottom
The resin film 4 and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2 are housed so as to straddle the hole 3a. Further, at the storage position, the resin film 4 and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2 are arranged so as to straddle both the pair of hourglass-shaped rolls 1 and 1.

Carrier 1 carrying a plurality of cassettes 3
By moving the cassette 3 by a constant pitch in the direction of the white arrow, the cassettes 3 are transferred one by one to the positions corresponding to the hourglass rolls 1 and 1 so that continuous processing can be performed ( See FIG. 1B).

The lower case 20 is provided with a cylindrical case 4
The casting cap 5 and the casting cap 5 are vertically set with their openings facing upward. The casting cap 5 is a component that prevents the potting agent from adhering to the outside of the cylindrical case 4 during potting, so it does not have to be set at this point, but if it is installed after inserting the hollow fiber membrane bundle, it will not be hollow. Since the thread film bundle 2 becomes an obstacle and becomes difficult to mount, it is preferable to mount it at this point.

As in the case of the carrier 10, a plurality of sets of the cylindrical case 4 and the casting cap 5 forming a set are set on the carrier 20 at the same pitch, and they are moved by a constant pitch in the white arrow direction, One pair of drum-shaped rolls 1 each
Corresponding to 1 enables continuous processing (see FIG. 1B).

Further, a plate-shaped pressing member 7 is provided above the pair of hourglass-shaped rolls 1, 1 above the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2. The push-in member 7 has a forked portion 8 at its tip and is adapted to reciprocate in the vertical direction. The bifurcated portion 8 is provided so as to extend two corners 8a, 8a in parallel to the left and right. The two corners 8a, 8a are formed such that the distance between them is slightly smaller than the inner width of the cassette 3 (width between inner walls).

By using the above apparatus, a hollow fiber membrane module in which the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2 is bent in a U shape and inserted into the tubular case 4 is manufactured as follows.

First, as shown in FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B),
By the movement of the carriers 10 and 20, the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2 placed on the cassette 3 and the tubular case 4 to which the casting cap 5 is assembled are set above and below the hourglass rolls 1 and 1, respectively. To be done.

Next, when the pushing member 7 is lowered, as shown in FIG. 2, the forked portions 8 at the tip end abut on each other so as to sandwich the central portion of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2. When it is further pushed down, both sides of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2 are brought into contact with the surfaces of the pair of hourglass-shaped rolls 1, 1 via the resin film 4. That is, when the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2 is pushed by the pushing member 7, the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2 and the resin film 4 are bent into a U shape while being restricted by the pair of hourglass-shaped rolls 1, 1. Pushing member 7
When the tip of the hollow fiber membrane reaches the lower end of the tubular case 5, the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2 and the resin film 4 are completely U-shaped as shown in FIG.
It becomes a character shape and is inserted into the cylindrical case 5.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4, when the pushing member 7 is pulled up, the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2 and the resin film 4 are separated by U.
It is folded into a letter shape and stored in the cylindrical case 5, leaving only both ends outside. When suction is performed by applying a suction port (not shown) of a suction tool to the lower end side of the tubular case 5 in this state, only the resin film 4 is removed, and finally the hollow fiber membrane module as shown in FIG. 30 is obtained.

In the hollow fiber membrane module 30 of FIG. 5, the end portion 2e of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2 protruding from the tubular case 5 is heat-treated with a nip heater or the like to seal the hollow portion of each hollow fiber membrane, After a part of the portion 2e is cut and removed, it is turned upside down and the end portion 2e side is immersed in a liquid potting agent. This immersion is performed so that a part of the open end of the cylindrical case 5 is immersed in the potting agent. After the potting agent has solidified, the casting cap 5 is removed, and the end portion 2e is cut so as to be flush with the opening end surface of the tubular case 5, thereby completing the hollow fiber membrane module 30.

According to the manufacturing method of the present invention as described above, the hollow fiber membrane bundle is arranged so as to straddle a pair of guides,
The hollow fiber membrane module can be easily and automatically manufactured simply by pushing the intermediate portion of the hollow fiber membrane bundle toward the cylindrical case. Moreover, since the same operation is repeated for manufacturing, quality variation does not occur among products.

Further, in the above embodiment, in the step of pushing the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2 shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 3, the forked portion 8 of the pushing member 7 has the hollow fiber membrane between the two corners 8a, 8a. Be careful not to loosen the yarn bundle because the bundle 2 is pushed in and pushed. Therefore, the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2 can be pushed into the cylindrical case 5 in a compact state. Also, drum-shaped roll 1
Since the concave curved surface guides the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2 so as to provide a converging property, the insertion operation into the tubular case 5 is facilitated. Further, the resin film 4 laid on the lower surface of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2 protects the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2 when the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2 is handled on the surface of the hourglass-shaped roll 1 or the opening of the tubular case 5. Prevents single yarn breakage by giving slippage to facilitate movement.

When the filling rate of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2 into the cylindrical case 5 is increased, it becomes difficult to smoothly insert the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2 bent in a U shape. As a measure against this,
It is advisable to insert the tubular case 5 or the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2 while applying vibration to at least one of them. If the inner surface of the tubular case 5 is roughened by a satin finish or the like, the insertion operation will be further facilitated.

Further, when the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2 is charged with static electricity, the single yarns are separated from each other to cause variations, which may hinder the pushing operation of the pushing member 7. As a countermeasure against this, a covering yarn may be wound around the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2 in a spiral shape in advance so as to suppress the variation.

In the present invention, the speed (pushing speed) at which the hollow fiber membrane bundle is pushed toward the cylindrical case by the pushing member is not particularly limited, but preferably 2 to 100 mm / sec. . If it is less than 2 mm / sec, it is difficult to increase productivity. But 100m
When the speed is higher than m / sec, the tension applied to the hollow fiber membrane bundle becomes excessive and the single yarn is easily damaged.

The maximum distance Lm (see FIG. 1) between the pair of hourglass-shaped rolls 1, 1 is preferably close to the inner diameter of the cylindrical case. Preferably, it is within the range of 95 to 110% of the inner diameter of the tubular case k. By setting the maximum distance Lm between the hourglass-shaped rolls in such a range, bending resistance when the hollow fiber membrane bundle is inserted into the tubular case is reduced, and smooth insertion is possible. For the same reason, it is preferable that the minimum diameter of the hourglass-shaped roll is in the range of 50 to 100% of the outer diameter of the hollow fiber membrane bundle.

As shown in FIG. 6, it is preferable that the pushing member has a forked portion 8 at its tip portion. Further, the forked portion 8 has a corner 8 directly contacting the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2.
It is advisable to chamfer the portions a and the upper edge 8b so that the cross-sectional shape is curved such as an arc. This chamfering can reduce the local load on the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2. Further, it is preferable that the corner 8c where the corner 8a and the upper edge 8b meet is curved such as an arc.

As described above, the slippery sheet (resin film or the like) can be laid under the hollow fiber membrane bundle to reduce the frictional resistance to the pair of guides and the opening of the tubular case. . The length along the longitudinal direction of the slippery sheet that performs such an action is preferably at least twice the length of the tubular case. Further, the width of the slippery sheet is preferably ½ or more of the inner peripheral length of the cylindrical case.

Since the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the slippery sheet is a portion that is bent along the hollow fiber membrane bundle when it is inserted into the tubular case, it is inevitable that some wrinkles will occur. However, such wrinkles can be eliminated by providing notches 4a at both edges in the longitudinal direction of the slippery sheet (resin film 4) as shown in FIG. The notch 4a may be a V-shaped cut as shown, or may be an arc-shaped cut.

The resin film is preferably removed after it has been inserted into the tubular case together with the hollow fiber membrane bundle. This operation of removing the resin film can be easily performed by a vacuum adsorption method by utilizing the fact that the resin film is impermeable. In particular, if a soft silicone pad is used for vacuum extraction, damage to the hollow fiber membrane bundle can be reduced. Further, as a method other than the vacuum adsorption method, a notch may be formed in a part of the resin film, and the resin film may be picked up and pulled out.

As mentioned above, a resin film or cloth can be used for the slippery sheet. As such a slippery sheet, when a fabric having a rough basis weight or a porous film is used, since these have water permeability, they can be left as they are without being bothered to remove them. That is, even if left in the tubular case, since the porous slippery sheet itself has water permeability,
It does not significantly affect the filtration function.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention, the hollow fiber membrane bundle is arranged above the pair of guides arranged at intervals so as to straddle both guides, while the hollow fiber membrane bundle is arranged on the lower side. The cylindrical case is arranged so that the opening faces upward, and in this state, the hollow fiber membrane bundle is bent into a U shape by only one operation of pushing the central portion of the hollow fiber membrane bundle from above toward the tubular case,
In addition, the hollow fiber membrane module can be formed by inserting both sides into the tubular case while regulating and guiding both sides. Therefore, the production of the hollow fiber membrane module can be automated, and it is possible to efficiently produce the hollow fiber membrane module in a short time without causing quality variations.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an example of an apparatus for carrying out the method for manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane module of the present invention, where (A) is B- in FIG.
FIG. 6B is a view on arrow B, and FIG. 6B is a view on arrow AA in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a next step of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a next step of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a next step of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory view illustrating a hollow fiber membrane module that has completed the steps of FIG.

6A and 6B show a front end portion of a pushing member used in the apparatus of FIG. 1, in which FIG. 6A is a front view and FIG. 6B is C- in FIG.
It is a C arrow line view.

7 is a plan view illustrating a slippery sheet used in the device of FIG. 1. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 guide (drum roll) 2 Hollow fiber membrane bundle 3 cassettes 3a hole 4 Slippery sheet (resin film) 4a Notch 5 tubular case 6 Cast Cap 7 Push-in member 8 Bifurcation 8a corner

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 4D006 GA05 GA06 HA03 JA12A                       JA13A JA25A JA30A JB03                       JB09 JB20 MA01 MB02 MC62                       PA01 PB06 PC52

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A hollow fiber membrane bundle is arranged above a pair of guides arranged at intervals so as to straddle the pair of guides, and a tubular case is arranged below the pair of guides. A method for manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane module, in which the hollow fiber membrane bundle is pushed from above toward the tubular case and is bent into a U shape while being guided by the pair of guides and is inserted into the tubular case. 2. The method for producing a hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 1, wherein the hollow fiber membrane bundle is pushed while being sandwiched. 3. The slippery sheet is interposed between the pair of guides and the hollow fiber membrane bundle, and the hollow fiber membrane bundle is bent in a U shape together with the slippery sheet. A method for producing the hollow fiber membrane module described. 4. The method for producing a hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 3, wherein a sheet having notches at both edges in the longitudinal direction is used as the slippery sheet. 5. The method for manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 3, wherein the slippery sheet is a porous sheet. 6. A pair of guides arranged at intervals,
A hollow fiber membrane bundle, which comprises a pushing member that reciprocates between above and below the pair of guides, and is arranged so that the pushing member straddles the pair of guides is arranged below the pair of guides. The apparatus for manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane module, which is configured to be pushed toward the tubular case, bent in a U shape, and inserted. 7. The hollow fiber membrane module manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the pushing member has a bifurcated portion at the tip. 8. The hollow fiber membrane module manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the pair of guides comprises a pair of drum-shaped rolls. 9. The hollow fiber membrane module manufacturing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the minimum diameter of the hourglass-shaped roll is in the range of 50 to 100% of the outer diameter of the hollow fiber membrane bundle. 10. The apparatus for manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 8, wherein the maximum distance between the pair of hourglass-shaped rolls is in the range of 95 to 110% of the inner diameter of the tubular case. 11. The apparatus for manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 6, wherein a cassette having a hole in the bottom surface for accommodating the hollow fiber membrane bundle is provided above the pair of guides. .