JP2006334507A - Spiral type separation membrane element - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a spiral type separation membrane element in which pressure drop in a permeation side flow passage is reduced, and the number of components is reduced. <P>SOLUTION: This spiral type separation membrane element 20 is formed by winding at least one separation membrane unit 2 formed by alternately superposing a membrane leaf composed by disposing a supply side flow passage material between a double-folded separation membrane, and a permeation side flow passage material, around a porous hollow core pipe 3. The element 20 is provided with a telescoping preventing member 4 provided on the condensing side of the separation membrane unit 20, and a fit member 5 which is provided to the supply side of the separation membrane unit 2 and which can be fitted to the telescoping preventing member 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a separation membrane element that separates components suspended and dissolved in a liquid, and more particularly, a telescope prevention member that suppresses a telescope phenomenon, and a pressure vessel and the separation membrane element. The present invention relates to a spiral separation membrane element including a fitting member that holds a sealing member that seals a gap.

  As a basic structure, the separation membrane element provided in the spiral separation membrane module has a bi-fold membrane in which a supply-side flow path material is sandwiched between the membrane and the central tube, which is a perforated tube. One or a plurality of laminates of separation membrane units each composed of a leaf and a permeate-side channel material adjacent thereto are wound.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a conventional separation membrane module. As shown in the figure, telescope prevention members 36 and 37 are provided at both ends of the separation membrane unit 32. An FRP (exterior material) 31 is wound around the separation membrane unit 32. The FRP 31 is integrated with the separation membrane unit 32 and the telescope prevention members 36 and 37 by curing the FRP 31.

  The telescope prevention members 36 and 37 are provided with ribs 36a and 37a, respectively. When actually performing fluid separation, a force due to the pressure difference between the supply side and the concentration side acts in the direction from the supply side to the concentration side of the separation membrane element. This force is supported by a telescope prevention member 36 provided on the concentration side. This prevents the separation membrane unit 32 from causing the telescope phenomenon. Further, the telescope prevention member 37 has a function of gripping the supply liquid sealing member 38. The supply liquid sealing member 38 seals the gap between the pressure vessel 39 and the FRP 31.

  When the separation membrane units 32 are connected in series, a coupler 34 as a connecting tube that can be inserted into the central tube 33 is inserted into the central tube 33 and the two are connected. O-rings 35 are respectively provided on the inner peripheral surfaces in the vicinity of both ends of the center tube 33. Near the both ends of the coupler 34, an annular groove 40 into which the O-ring 35 can be inserted is provided.

  With the separation membrane module having the above-described configuration, the telescope phenomenon can be reduced. However, since the inner diameter r of the coupler 34 is smaller than the inner diameter R of the central tube 33, the coupler 34 is resistant to the flow of permeate. As a result, there is a problem that the pressure loss of the permeate side flow path is large.

JP-A-11-267470

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a spiral separation membrane element that reduces pressure loss in the permeation side flow path and has a small number of parts.

  The inventors of the present application have studied a spiral separation membrane element in order to solve the conventional problems. As a result, the inventors have found that the object can be achieved by adopting the following configuration, and have completed the present invention.

  That is, the spiral separation membrane element according to the present invention includes a membrane leaf having a configuration in which a supply-side channel material is disposed between two-folded separation membranes and a permeation-side channel material in order to solve the above-described problem. Is a spiral type separation membrane element in which at least one separation membrane unit is alternately wound around a perforated hollow central tube, and the telescope is provided on the concentration side of the separation membrane unit It has a member and the fitting member which is provided in the supply side of the said separation membrane unit, and can be fitted to the said telescope prevention member, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to the above configuration, the telescope prevention member and the center tube have a structure that can be fitted to each other. Therefore, when connecting the separation membrane elements in series, for example, as a connection tube inserted inside the center tube. There is no need to provide connection means such as a coupler. Therefore, unnecessary resistance is not added to the permeate flowing inside the central tube as the permeate side channel. As a result, the pressure loss inside the center tube can be reduced. Further, since there is no need to provide connection means, the number of parts constituting the spiral separation membrane element can be reduced.

  In the above configuration, an annular seal member that seals a gap between the pressure vessel accommodating the separation membrane element and the separation membrane element is provided on the outer peripheral side of the fitting member. It is preferable to be held by the fitting member.

  According to the above configuration, the sealing member can block the gap between the spiral separation membrane element and the pressure vessel, and prevent the supply liquid from bypassing between the spiral separation membrane element and the pressure vessel. .

  The telescope prevention member is provided with a through-hole that can penetrate the central tube, and the through-hole has an O-ring for preventing mixing of a supply liquid and a permeate, and the O-ring. It is preferable that a radial annular groove is provided.

  According to the above configuration, the through hole can be passed through the telescope prevention member so that the central tube and the through hole are in close contact with each other. As a result, mixing of the permeate and the supply liquid can be prevented, and the separation performance of the spiral separation membrane element can be improved.

  The fitting member is preferably provided with an annular groove for gripping the seal member. Thereby, a sealing member can be reliably fixed to a fitting member.

  Each of the telescope prevention member and the fitting member is provided with a rib, and the thickness of the telescope prevention member rib in the axial direction of the central tube is equal to 1 of the rib thickness of the fitting member. It is preferably 2 to 7 times.

  Due to the pressure loss due to the flow of the supply liquid, a pressure difference is generated between the telescope prevention member and the fitting member. The force generated due to this pressure difference acts on the telescope prevention member side rather than the fitting member. However, with the above-described configuration, it is possible to improve the mechanical strength of the telescope prevention member, and it is possible to reduce the thickness of the rib of the fitting member to which the force does not act so much. Thereby, while optimizing the mechanical strength balance of both a telescope prevention member and a fitting member, space saving can be achieved and a larger separation membrane element can be accommodated. As a result, the performance of the spiral separation membrane element can be improved.

  It is preferable to provide another O-ring for sealing between the telescope prevention member and the central tube in the through hole. Thereby, it can prevent that a permeation | transmission liquid and a supply liquid mix, and can improve the isolation | separation performance of a spiral type separation membrane element.

The present invention has the following effects by the means described above.
That is, according to the present invention, since the telescope prevention member and the central tube have a structure that can be fitted to each other, when connecting the separation membrane elements in series, for example, as a connection tube inside the central tube This can be done without providing connecting means such as a coupler to be inserted. This prevents pressure loss from occurring in the permeate side flow path and reduces the pressure on the permeate side. As a result, the effective pressure before and after the membrane can be increased and the performance of the separation membrane can be exhibited sufficiently. In addition, by increasing the effective pressure, the discharge pressure of the supply pump that supplies the supply liquid can be reduced, and the power consumption of the supply pump can be suppressed to reduce the energy cost. Further, since the connecting means is not necessary, the number of parts of the spiral separation membrane element can be reduced.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part schematically showing a separation membrane element according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a spiral separation membrane module according to the present embodiment. It should be noted that portions not necessary for the description are omitted, and there are portions illustrated in an enlarged or reduced manner for easy explanation.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the separation membrane element 20 has a structure in which the separation membrane unit 2 is wound around a perforated hollow central tube 3. The separation membrane unit 2 has a structure in which a membrane leaf having a configuration in which a supply-side channel material is arranged between two folded separation membranes and a permeation-side channel material are alternately stacked. The separation membrane element 20 can employ any of conventionally known separation membranes, permeation-side flow channel materials, supply-side flow channel materials, the hollow center tube 3 and the like. For example, when a plurality of supply side flow path materials and permeation side flow path materials are used, a plurality of membrane leaves are wound around the hollow central tube 3. On the outside of the separation membrane element 20, FRP1 as an exterior material is formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of separation membrane elements 20 are connected and accommodated in a pressure vessel 21.

  A telescope prevention member 4 is provided on the concentration side of the separation membrane unit 2. The telescope prevention member 4 prevents the separation membrane module from being deformed into a telescope shape. The telescope prevention member 4 is provided with a through hole 4e through which the central tube 3 can penetrate, and the end portion on the concentration side of the central tube 3 is fitted and inserted without passing through the through hole 4e. The telescope prevention member 4 is provided with ribs 4a with the through hole 4e as the center.

  An O-ring (other O-ring) 7 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 4 e of the telescope prevention member 4 in order to maintain water tightness with the central tube 3. By providing the O-ring 7, it is possible to prevent the supply liquid and the permeate from being mixed and the separation performance is improved. A radial annular groove 4c of the O-ring 7 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 4e. In addition, adhesion, ultrasonic welding, friction welding, or the like can be applied to the watertight holding of the telescope prevention member 4 and the center tube 3.

  Further, on the supply side of the separation membrane unit 2, a fitting member 5 that can be fitted to the telescope prevention member 4 is provided. The fitting member 5 can be connected in series with the separation membrane element by fitting with the telescope preventing member 4. The fitting member 5 is provided with a through hole 5e through which the central tube 3 can pass, and an end portion on the supply side of the central tube 3 passes through the through hole 5e and is inserted in a partially protruding state. Yes. Further, the fitting member 5 is provided with ribs 5a around the through hole 5e.

  An annular groove 5 c is provided on the outer peripheral side of the fitting member 5. An annular seal member 6 that seals the gap between the pressure vessel 21 and the separation membrane element 20 is held in the annular groove 5c. The seal member 6 has an annular shape that protrudes in the radial direction and extends in the circumferential direction, and is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the pressure vessel 21. As a material of the seal member 6, a highly rigid member or an elastic body can be used. In order to ensure that the seal member 6 is in close contact with the pressure vessel 21, it is preferably an elastic body.

  The telescope prevention member 4 and the fitting member 5 are provided with a wrap portion 4b and / or a wrap portion 5b, respectively, and are fixed to the separation membrane element 20 by winding the portions with FRP1. Thereby, the separation membrane unit 2, the telescope prevention member 4, and the fitting member 5 are integrated.

  The telescoping prevention member 4 has a convex fitting insertion portion 4d lacking its peripheral edge portion so that the telescoping prevention member 4 can be fitted to the fitting member 5. On the other hand, the fitting member 5 is provided with a recessed fitting insertion portion 5d for accommodating the fitting insertion portion 4d. The height d1 of the fitting insertion part 4d and the depth d2 of the fitting insertion part 5d are substantially equal, and the dimensions are designed so that they are in close contact with each other when the telescope prevention member 4 and the fitting member 5 are fitted. (See FIG. 2). Thereby, the telescope prevention member 4, the fitting member 5, and the center tube 3 are brought into close contact with each other, and the axial load is transmitted by each member. However, the fitting described above is a loose fitting so as not to affect the watertightness of the central tube 3 part. At the time of fitting, the center tube 3 is inserted into the through-hole 4 e of the telescope prevention member 4 by the amount protruding from the fitting member 5 to the supply side. The through hole 4e is provided with an O-ring 8 and a radial annular groove 4c into which the O-ring 8 can be inserted. Providing the O-ring 8 makes it possible to maintain watertightness with the central tube 3. The fitting of the telescope prevention member 4 and the fitting member 5 eliminates the need for connecting means such as a coupler, thereby reducing the number of parts and material costs. Moreover, optimization of member strength required for both and effective utilization of space can be achieved. In addition, adhesion, ultrasonic welding, friction welding, or the like can be applied to the watertight holding of the telescope prevention member 4 and the center tube 3 as described above.

  A pressure difference occurs between the inlet 2a and the outlet 2b of the separation membrane unit 2 due to the pressure loss caused by the flow of the supply liquid. The force generated due to this pressure difference acts in the direction from the inlet 2 a to the outlet 2 b in the separation membrane unit 2. The force is supported by the telescope prevention member 4 provided on the concentration side. Therefore, in the present invention, the concentration-side telescope prevention member 4 that requires strength is made thicker, and the supply-side fitting member 5 is made relatively thin compared to the telescope prevention member 4. It is preferable. More specifically, the thickness t1 in the axial direction of the rib 4a in the telescope prevention member 4 is 1.2 to the thickness t2 in the axial direction of the rib 5a in the fitting member 5. It is preferably 7 times, and more preferably 2 to 5 times. By making it within the numerical range, the mechanical strength of the telescope prevention member 4 can be improved. Further, the fitting member 5 that does not support the load can be thinned, and a space for accommodating the separation membrane can be further secured inside the membrane element. That is, with the above-described configuration, it is possible to optimize the mechanical strength balance of both the telescope prevention member 4 and the fitting member 5 while securing the storage space for the separation membrane.

  The telescope prevention member 4 and the fitting member 5 may be made of any material as long as a sufficiently large supply liquid channel can be secured and sufficient strength can be obtained. Specifically, modified PPE resin, ABS resin, hard vinyl chloride resin, etc. are mentioned, for example.

It is principal part sectional drawing which shows schematically the separation membrane element which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows schematically the spiral type separation membrane module provided with the said separation membrane element. It is sectional drawing which shows the conventional separation membrane module roughly.

Explanation of symbols

1 FRP
2 Separation membrane unit 2a Inlet 2b Outlet 3 Center tube 4 Telescope prevention member 4a Rib 4b Wrap part 4c Radial direction annular groove 4d Insertion part 4e Through hole 5 Fitting member 5a Rib 5b Lapping part 5c Annular groove 5d Insertion part 5e Through-hole 6 Seal member 7 O-ring 8 O-ring 20 Separation membrane element 21 Pressure vessel

Claims (6)

At least one separation membrane unit in which a supply-side flow path material is disposed between two fold-folded separation membranes and a permeation-side flow path material alternately stacked. A spiral type separation membrane element wound around,
A telescope prevention member provided on the concentration side of the separation membrane unit;
A spiral separation membrane element, comprising: a fitting member provided on a supply side of the separation membrane unit and capable of fitting to the telescope prevention member. On the outer peripheral side of the fitting member, an annular seal member is provided for sealing a gap between the pressure vessel accommodating the separation membrane element and the separation membrane element,
The spiral separation membrane element according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is held by the fitting member. The telescope prevention member is provided with a through hole that can penetrate the central tube,
The spiral according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the through hole is provided with an O-ring for preventing mixing of the supply liquid and the permeate and a radial annular groove of the O-ring. Mold separation membrane element.   The spiral separation membrane element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fitting member is provided with an annular groove for gripping the seal member. Each of the telescope prevention member and the fitting member is provided with a rib,
The thickness of the rib of the telescope prevention member in the axial direction of the central tube is 1.2 to 7 times the thickness of the rib of the fitting member. 2. A spiral separation membrane element according to claim 1.   The spiral separation membrane according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the through hole is provided with another O-ring for sealing between the telescope prevention member and the central tube. element.

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