JP2006116523A - Liquid separation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid separation apparatus having simple structure, high reliability of pressure resistance strength, and structure of high adhesion degree causing no leak at a joint part. <P>SOLUTION: A spiral membrane module comprises membrane elements 102 wherein a laminated body with a supply side passage material disposed at the supply side, and a permeating side passage material disposed at the permeating side is spirally wound around a porous hollow pipe 105, having sealing structure for preventing direct communication of the supply side passage with the permeating side passage. The outermost circumferential surface is directly coated with resin 101, the resin 101 fixes a connecting member 103 to both ends of the membrane elements 102 to impart a function as a pressure vessel. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid separation apparatus, and more particularly, to a liquid separation apparatus using a spiral separation membrane module that performs membrane separation of components of a liquid mixture.

  Conventionally, a reverse osmosis separation device by membrane separation, an ultrafiltration device, a microfiltration device or the like has been used to separate components of a liquid mixture. Specifically, in the fluid separation device, a pressurized supply raw fluid is introduced and separated into a permeated fluid that passes through the membrane and is guided to a perforated hollow tube, and the remaining concentrated fluid. In such a liquid separation device, a spiral separation membrane module (hereinafter referred to as “membrane module”) having a plurality of membrane elements is frequently used.

For example, an example of a conventional fluid separation apparatus using two membrane elements is shown in FIG. As shown in this cross-sectional view, the structure of the conventional membrane element 1 is a hollow tube 2 in which a laminated body in which a supply-side channel material is arranged on the membrane supply side and a permeation-side channel material is arranged on the permeation side is perforated. The supply side channel and the permeate side channel do not directly communicate with each other and have a sealing structure. In such a conventional membrane element 1, the ends of the perforated hollow tubes 2 passing through the center of the membrane element 1 or between the end plate 3b of the perforated hollow tube 2 and the port 4 of the end plate 3b are internally provided. They are connected by a joint 5, joined in series with each other, and stored in a cylindrical container 6. Both ends of the cylindrical container 6 are closed with end plates 3 a and 3 b and fixed with bolts 7. A supply fluid inlet 31a is formed in one end plate, a concentrated fluid outlet 31b is formed in the other end plate, and a permeated fluid outlet 31c is perforated in a port 4 formed inward from the center of the end plate. (See, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, 8 is a product packing, 9 is a U-packing, 10 is a special adapter, 11 shows a plug.
JP 58-163404 A

  However, in the conventional liquid separation apparatus as described above, since the membrane element is always housed in a cylindrical container made of FRP, stainless steel, etc., the load on the apparatus increases, The ratio of the cost load to the cost of the entire apparatus is very large.

  Further, since the liquid separation apparatus handles a relatively high-pressure liquid, a container structure that does not leak a solution even under such a pressure condition is required. Inside the membrane module, a flow in which the supply fluid, concentrated fluid, and permeate fluid are separated is formed. For example, a connection is used inside the membrane module to connect to external piping as in the conventional configuration. In this method, it is difficult to prevent fluid leakage and contamination.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to use a membrane module that does not require such a cylindrical container, and has a simple structure, high pressure-resistant strength reliability, and a liquid separation structure having a high degree of adhesion that does not cause leakage at the joint. Is to provide a device.

  As a result of intensive studies, the present inventor has found that the above object can be achieved by a liquid separation apparatus shown below, and has completed the present invention.

  The present invention is a liquid separation apparatus, in which a laminated body in which a supply-side flow path material is disposed on the supply side and a permeation-side flow path material is disposed on the permeation side is spirally wound around a perforated hollow tube. In the spiral membrane module comprising a membrane element having a sealing structure for preventing the supply-side channel and the permeate-side channel from communicating directly, the outermost peripheral surface is directly covered with a resin, and both end portions of the membrane element are covered with the resin. A connecting member is fixed to the base plate, and a function as a pressure vessel is added.

  As a result of studying the configuration of the membrane module, the present inventor added a function as a pressure vessel by directly covering the outermost peripheral surface with a resin and fixing bonding members to both ends of the membrane element with the resin. It is possible to provide a liquid separation device having a simple structure, high pressure-strength strength reliability, and a structure with a high degree of adhesion that does not cause leakage at the joint. . Moreover, it can be set as the low cost liquid separation apparatus which does not require an expensive cylindrical container by this.

  The present invention is the liquid separation device, wherein the resin covers the spiral membrane module in an annular shape.

  As described above, the liquid separation device needs to form a membrane module having components corresponding to a cylindrical container in order to form a liquid flow path and maintain it as a casing. In the present invention, by covering the outermost peripheral surface of the membrane element in a ring shape with resin over the entire width, a liquid separator having a function equivalent to that of a cylindrical container and having a simple structure and high reliability can be configured. it can.

  The present invention is the liquid separation device, wherein the spiral membrane module has a structural reinforcing material.

  By covering the outermost surface of the membrane element over the entire width with a resin containing a structural reinforcing material, a membrane module having components equivalent to a cylindrical container is formed, and a liquid flow path is formed and maintained as a housing can do. Therefore, it is possible to configure a liquid separation device with a simple structure and high reliability in pressure strength. In particular, by covering the resin in an annular shape, it is possible to ensure a function equivalent to that of the cylindrical container, so that the function can be further improved.

  The present invention provides the liquid separation device, wherein the coupling member has a connection portion for coupling with an external pipe for supplying fluid inlet and an external pipe for concentrated fluid outlet, and has a portion for fixing the resin. It is characterized by.

  In the liquid separator, since it corresponds to various applications, it is required to be arbitrarily connectable with the external pipe for the supply fluid inlet and the external pipe for the concentrated fluid outlet, and to maintain the casing as the membrane module. . In the present invention, these are constituted by coupling members for fixing both ends of the membrane element, and a liquid separator having a simple structure with a small number of parts, high reliability of pressure resistance and high versatility is constructed. can do.

  The present invention is the liquid separation device, characterized in that the coupling member having at least one recess formed on the inner surface thereof is fixed to at least one end surface of the spiral membrane module.

  As described above, the bonding member that fixes both ends of the membrane element has higher pressure resistance and strength because the tightness of the membrane element and the membrane module as the housing is maintained as the adhesion to the end surface increases. On the other hand, since the end face of the membrane element is an inlet for supplying fluid or an outlet for concentrated fluid, it is essential to secure a flow path having a certain gap. In the present invention, a bonding member provided with at least one recess on its inner surface is secured to the end face of the membrane element, thereby ensuring such functions that may conflict with each other. A highly reliable liquid separation apparatus can be configured.

  The present invention is the liquid separation device, wherein a coupling portion between the hollow tube and the permeating fluid outlet external pipe is provided outside the outer surface of the coupling member.

  In order to form a separated flow of the supply fluid, the concentrated fluid and the permeate fluid flowing inside the membrane module, it is preferable to structurally eliminate leakage and contamination. In the present invention, it is possible to prevent mixing of each fluid by ensuring the independence of the flow of the permeating fluid. Specifically, in a coupling member having a mating portion with either the supply fluid or the concentrated fluid, by connecting to an external pipe outside the outer surface of the coupling member without providing a mating portion with the permeating fluid. Thus, it becomes possible to ensure the independence of such a flow path.

  The present invention is the liquid separation device, wherein a sealing member is provided in a gap between the coupling member and the membrane element.

  By providing a sealing member in the gap between the coupling member and the membrane element and sealing the gap, the coupling member and the membrane element are supplied by the supply fluid that flows into the spiral membrane module or the discharged supply fluid that flows from the spiral membrane module. It is possible to prevent leakage from the gap.

  As described above, by devising the resin coating on the outermost peripheral part of the membrane module and the connection with the shape and flow path of the coupling member, the pressure resistance strength is reliable with a simple structure and the coupling part. Thus, it is possible to provide a liquid separation device having a structure with a high degree of adhesion that does not leak.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a membrane module according to the present invention. End caps (joining members) 103 are provided at both ends of the membrane element 102, and the end cap 103 is connected for connection to an external pipe for supply fluid inlet (not shown) and an external pipe for concentrated fluid outlet (not shown). Parts 107 and 111. Hereinafter, the external and internal configurations of the membrane module will be described in detail.

  About the outer peripheral part of the membrane element 102, the outermost peripheral surface is directly covered with the resin 101 over the entire width, and it is formed by covering in an annular shape. The resin 101 seals and protects the outer periphery of the membrane element 102 and also has an effect of fixing the end cap 103 to the membrane element 102.

  As the material of the resin 101, for example, reinforced plastic (FRP) can be used. The membrane element 102 is annularly covered by a so-called filament winding method, in which a glass fiber is impregnated with a resin, wound and cured to form a membrane module. When the resin 101 is impregnated with the glass fiber 101 by the filament winding method and wound around the outer peripheral portion of the membrane element 102, the strength of the outer peripheral portion can be increased by winding the structural reinforcing material 112 together with the resin 101.

  The structural reinforcing material 112 covers a part or all of the outer peripheral portion of the membrane element 102, and the structure is not specified, but a sheet-like structure that can cover the outer peripheral portion is preferable. Moreover, about a material, glass fiber, carbon fiber, etc. are mentioned, for example.

  Regarding the seal between the resin 101 covering the outer peripheral portion and the end cap 103, by providing the step portion 108 on the outer diameter surface of the end cap 103, the number of sites that adhere to the resin 101 covering the outermost peripheral surface is increased, and the end cap 103 is easily fixed. . Further, for example, an adhesive resin such as an epoxy resin may be used at the fixing position of the step portion 108 on the outer diameter surface of the end cap 103.

  At this time, it is possible to increase the strength of the fixing portion by having the uneven portion 201 as exemplified in FIG. 3 at the fixing position of the step portion 108 on the outer diameter surface of the end cap 103.

  As for the contact surface between the end cap 103 and the membrane element 102, as shown in FIG. 4, the end portion of the end cap 103 and the membrane element 102 is joined to the end surface of the membrane element 102 by holding at least one gap (recess) 301. Since a predetermined space can be secured between the cap 103 and the membrane element 102, it is possible to improve the flow of the supply fluid to the membrane module and the flow of the exhaust fluid from the membrane module.

  Further, when there is a gap between the membrane element 102 and the inner peripheral surface of the end cap 103 in the vicinity of both ends of the membrane element 102, a sealing member 401 for filling the gap may be provided ( (See FIG. 5). If there is a gap between the membrane element 102 and the inner peripheral surface of the end cap 103, there is a risk of leakage from the flow of the supply fluid to the outer periphery of the membrane element 102 and the flow of the supply fluid discharged from the membrane module. . Furthermore, when this leak passes through the resin 101, there is a risk of causing a leak from the membrane module to the outside. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to suppress these leaks by filling the gap with the sealing member 401. The sealing member 401 is not particularly limited as long as it fills the gap. From the viewpoint of adhesion and workability, for example, an adhesive resin such as a urethane resin or an epoxy resin is preferable.

  Further, by providing a connection portion (coupling portion) 106 for coupling the hollow tube 105 and an external pipe for permeating fluid outlet (not shown) outside the end cap 103, supply at the coupling portion 106 is performed. It is possible to prevent mixing of fluid and concentrated fluid. That is, when the coupling portion between the hollow tube 105 and the permeating fluid outlet external pipe is coupled via the end cap 103 such as the hollow pipe 105 and the end cap 103, and the end cap 103 and the external pipe, respectively, This is because the supply fluid or the concentrated fluid may be mixed in the coupling portion. A through-hole for the hollow tube 105 is provided in the end cap 103, and sealing between the hollow tube 105 and the end cap 103 is performed by O-rings 104 and 109 provided inside the through-hole, and the coupling portion 106 is connected to the end cap 103 With the structure on the outside, it is possible to obtain a structure with a high degree of adhesion that does not cause leakage at the coupling portion 106 with the permeating fluid outlet external pipe. Therefore, with such a configuration, it is possible to effectively eliminate the possibility of leakage or mixing of each fluid.

  Further, the other end of the hollow tube 105 is sealed with a sealing plug 110 to prevent leakage of permeated fluid and mixing of other fluids.

  As mentioned above, although typical embodiment of the liquid separation apparatus concerning this invention was described, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to the structure of such a membrane element or a member for coupling | bonding, For various uses. It is possible to apply a suitable structure.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be further described with reference to specific examples. In addition, evaluation items in Examples and the like were calculated as follows. In addition, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to this Example and evaluation method.

<Evaluation method>
(1) Sodium chloride rejection rate The sodium chloride rejection rate R of the membrane module is calculated by the following equation: R = (1−Cp / Cf) × 100 [%] where Cp is the concentration of sodium chloride in the permeate, Cf Means (concentration of sodium chloride in the feed solution + concentration of sodium chloride in the concentrate) / 2.

<Example 1>
In the membrane module having the structure of FIG. 2 according to the present invention, an external pipe for the permeate fluid outlet, an external pipe for the concentrated fluid outlet, and an external pipe for the supply fluid inlet are connected, and the water temperature is 25 using 0.15% sodium chloride aqueous solution as raw water. As a result of performance evaluation under constant conditions of ° C., pH 7.0, pressure 1.05 MPa, and concentrated water flow rate 35 L / min, the sodium chloride rejection was 99.2% and the permeation flow rate was 11.4 m ³ / d.

<Comparative Example 1>
The membrane element having the same structure as the membrane element of FIG. 2 of the present invention is placed in a conventional cylindrical container, and a 0.15% sodium chloride aqueous solution is used as raw water, a water temperature of 25 ° C., a pH of 7.0, a pressure of 1.05 MPa, and a concentrated water flow rate of 35 L. As a result of performance evaluation under a constant condition of / min, the sodium chloride rejection was 99.2% and the permeation flow rate was 11.4 m ³ / d.

<Evaluation results>
As a result of evaluating the above samples, almost the same performance could be ensured in both Example 1 and Comparative Example 1. Therefore, it has been found that the liquid separator having a simple configuration according to the present invention can be sufficiently put into practical use.

<Example 2>
In the membrane module having the structure of FIG. 5 according to the present invention, a sealing member 401 is provided to seal the gap between the membrane element 102 and the end cap 103. As the sealing member 401, urethane resin (manufactured by HB Fuller Co., Ltd.) was used. Water was passed through this membrane module under the constant conditions of a water temperature of 25 ° C., a pH of 7.0, a pressure of 2.1 MPa, and a concentrated water flow rate of 20 L / min using 0.15% sodium chloride aqueous solution as raw water. As a result, it was confirmed that no leakage occurred from the outer peripheral portion of the resin of the membrane module.

<Example 3>
In the membrane module having the structure shown in FIG. 5 based on the present invention, the raw water of 0.15% sodium chloride aqueous solution was passed through without providing a sealing member in the gap between the membrane element 102 and the end cap 103. The water flow conditions were a water temperature of 25 ° C., a pH of 7.0, a pressure of 2.1 MPa, and a concentrated water flow rate of 20 L / min. As a result, it was confirmed that leakage occurred from the outer peripheral portion of the resin of the membrane module.

Cross-sectional view of a conventional fluid separator Cross section of liquid separator according to one embodiment of the present invention End cap cross-sectional view of the liquid separator Cross-sectional view including stepped portion of outer diameter surface of end cap of liquid separator Cross section of liquid separator according to another embodiment of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

101 Resin 102 Membrane Element 103 End Cap (Coupling Member)
104, 109 O-ring 105 Hollow pipe 106 Connection portion 107 for connection with external pipe for permeate fluid outlet Connection portion 108 for connection with external pipe for concentrated fluid outlet 108 Step 110 Seal plug 111 Connection with external pipe for supply fluid inlet Connection part for connection (joint part)
112 Structural reinforcing material 201 Concavity and convexity 301 Gaps (concave)
401 Sealing member

Claims (7)

  A laminated body in which a supply-side channel material is arranged on the supply side and a transmission-side channel material is arranged on the permeation side is spirally wound around a perforated hollow tube, In a spiral membrane module comprising a membrane element having a sealing structure for preventing direct communication, the outermost peripheral surface is directly covered with a resin, and a bonding member is fixed to both ends of the membrane element by the resin, thereby forming a pressure vessel. A liquid separator characterized by adding the above function.   The liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein the resin covers the spiral membrane module in an annular shape.   The liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein the spiral membrane module has a structural reinforcing material.   4. The coupling member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coupling member has a connection portion for coupling with an external pipe for supply fluid inlet and an external pipe for concentrated fluid outlet, and has a portion for fixing the resin. The liquid separation apparatus as described.   5. The liquid separation device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member provided with at least one concave portion on an inner surface thereof is fixed to at least one end surface of the spiral membrane module.   The liquid separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a coupling portion between the hollow pipe and the permeating fluid outlet external pipe outside the outer surface of the coupling member.   The liquid separation device according to claim 1, wherein a sealing member is provided in a gap between the coupling member and the membrane element.

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