JP2007330946A - Liquid-separating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid-separating apparatus which has a high compression strength to a pressure of a transmission fluid, enables a prevention of a leakage of the transmission fluid at a blocking portion, and has a high reliability at the blocking portion. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid-separating apparatus has a constitution that a supply side channel material is arranged at a supply side, a laminate in which a permeate side channel material is arranged at a permeate side is wound in spirals to a perforated hollow pipe, a spiral type membrane module comprising a membrane element having a sealing structure to carry out no direct communication of the supply side channel material and the permeate side channel material is provided, the outermost peripheral surface of the spiral type membrane module is directly covered with a resin, and a binding member is firmly fixed to both ends of the membrane element with the resin to attach a function as a pressure vessel. The apparatus is characterized in that a lid shape member covering and blocking the hollow pipe is provided at least on one opening end of the hollow pipe. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid separation device, and more particularly to a liquid separation device using a spiral membrane module that separates components of a liquid mixture, such as a reverse osmosis separation device, an ultrafiltration device, or a microfiltration device.

  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 a liquid separator, a pressurized supply raw fluid is introduced and separated into a permeated fluid that passes through a membrane and led 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.

  FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a conventional liquid separation apparatus. As shown in this cross-sectional view, the conventional membrane module has end caps 103 at both ends of the membrane element 102, and the end cap 103 is a connection part for coupling with an external pipe for supply fluid inlet and an external pipe for concentrated fluid outlet. 107, 111.

  The outermost peripheral surface of the membrane element 102 is formed by directly covering the entire outer peripheral surface with the resin 101 over the entire width and covering the outer periphery with a ring. The resin 101 seals and protects the outer periphery of the membrane element 102, and fixes the end cap 103 to the membrane element 102.

  The membrane element 102 has a structure in which a laminated body in which a supply-side channel material is arranged on the membrane supply side and a transmission-side channel material is arranged on the permeation side is spirally wound around a perforated hollow tube 105, The supply side flow path and the permeation side flow path have a sealing structure for preventing direct communication.

As described above, one end of the hollow tube 105 is coupled to the supply fluid outlet external pipe 106. The other end is connected to an external pipe for the permeate fluid outlet or measures for preventing the permeate fluid from flowing out. Here, as a conventional spill prevention measure, for example, the end of the hollow tube 105 is sealed with a sealing plug 110. Further, the sealing plug 110 and the hollow tube 105 were fixed with resin.
JP 2006-116523 A

  However, in the conventional sealing method as described above, the fixing portion by the resin is limited to a part of the sealing plug 110 and the hollow tube 105. For this reason, it has been difficult to sufficiently increase the pressure strength of the closed portion.

  In the above sealing method, the pressure of the permeating fluid flowing inside the hollow tube 105 may increase due to, for example, the operation method or the shape of the permeating fluid outlet external pipe. In such a case, in the above-described sealing method, in particular, in the pressure vessel integrated liquid separator, if the pressure of the permeating fluid exceeds the pressure resistance strength of the adherend or excessive pressure fluctuations are repeated, Since there is no container, the permeated fluid leaks from the closed portion between the sealing plug 110 and the hollow tube 105.

  Furthermore, in the sealing method, the fixing area of the sealing plug 110 and the hollow tube 105 by the resin varies greatly depending on the amount and position of the resin applied. Further, in a PVC pipe or the like that is a general member as a hollow tube, the reference value of the diameter is the outer diameter, and the dimension of the inner diameter is a reference value. Therefore, the inner diameter of the hollow tube varies greatly, and the fixing area varies greatly depending on such variation. As a result, it is difficult to adjust the fixing state of the closed portion to be constant, and the reliability of the sealing structure is insufficient.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and its purpose is to have a high pressure-resistant strength against the pressure of the permeating fluid, and to prevent the occurrence of leakage of the permeating fluid in the closed portion, and in the closed portion. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid separation apparatus with high reliability.

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

  In the liquid separation device of the present invention, a laminate 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, and the supply side A spiral membrane module comprising a membrane element having a sealing structure for preventing the passage and the permeate-side channel from communicating directly, and covering the outermost peripheral surface of the spiral membrane module directly with a resin; A coupling member is fixed to both ends of the membrane element, and a function as a pressure vessel is added. At least one open end of the hollow tube is covered and closed. A lid-like member is provided.

  The present invention employs the lid-shaped member having the above-described configuration as means for closing the hollow tube. The lid-like member does not embed a hermetic plug at the opening end of the hollow tube and close the hollow tube and the hermetic plug with a resin, but covers and closes the opening. For this reason, it becomes possible to improve the pressure resistance of the closed portion of the hollow tube as compared with the conventional liquid separator. As a result, even when the pressure of the permeating fluid is large, the leakage can be sufficiently prevented. In addition, the lid-like member enables good closure of the hollow tube regardless of variations in the inner diameter of the hollow tube. As a result, the liquid separator can be made highly reliable.

  In the above configuration, a screw that is screwed to the outer peripheral surface of the hollow tube and the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall of the lid-like member is provided, and the hollow tube and the lid-like member are screwed together. It is preferable that the screw is fixed. As in the above-described configuration, the sealing of the opening end of the hollow tube by the lid-like member can be further improved by screwing and fixing the opening end of the hollow tube with the lid-like member. As a result, it is possible to further improve the pressure resistance of the closed portion and reliably prevent leakage of the permeating fluid.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a leak preventing member for preventing leak from the hollow tube is provided inside the lid-like member. Also with this configuration, the sealing performance of the open end of the hollow tube by the lid-like member can be further improved. As a result, the pressure resistance strength of the closed portion can be further improved and the leakage of the permeating fluid can be reliably prevented, as in the above configuration.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the coupling member has an accommodating portion for accommodating the lid-like member, and at least the upper surface of the lid-like member is exposed to the front side and is accommodated in the accommodating portion. In the above-described configuration, at least the upper surface of the lid-like member is exposed on the front side and is accommodated in the accommodating portion of the coupling member, so that, for example, parts replacement or disassembly of the lid-like member can be easily performed.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the lid-like member is provided with a jig engaging portion that engages with an operation jig for closing or opening the hollow tube with the lid-like member. Thereby, operations such as part replacement and disassembly of the lid-like member are further facilitated.

  As described above, the liquid separation device of the present invention employs a lid-like member that covers and closes the open end as a means for closing the hollow tube. The pressure resistance strength of the closed portion of the empty pipe can be improved. As a result, even when the pressure of the permeating fluid is large, the leakage can be prevented. In addition, since the lid-like member enables good closure of the hollow tube regardless of the variation in the inner diameter of the hollow tube, it is possible to make the structure excellent in reliability as the closing means. it can.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the liquid separation device 11 of the present invention. This liquid separator 11 is a pressure separator integrated liquid separator that eliminates the need for a pressure vessel such as a vessel by directly covering the outermost peripheral surface of the membrane element with a resin. Each member has a first end cap 13a and a second end cap 13b. The first end cap 13a has a coupling connection portion 14 for coupling to an external pipe (not shown) for supplying fluid inlet. Further, the second end cap 13b has a connecting portion 15 for connection with an outer piping (not shown) for concentrated fluid outlet.

  The membrane element 12 has a structure in which a separation membrane unit is wound around a perforated and hollow central tube (water collecting tube) 16. The separation membrane unit 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 membrane element 12 can employ any of conventionally known separation membranes, permeation-side channel materials, supply-side channel materials, central tubes, and the like.

  At one open end of the hollow tube 16, there is provided a connecting portion (connecting portion) 19 for connecting with the permeating fluid outlet external pipe. The other opening end is provided with a lid-like member 17 for closing the opening. The lid-like member 17 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 18 in the first end cap 13a so that the upper surface 22 is exposed on the front side. By exposing the upper surface 22 to the front side, for example, parts replacement or disassembly of the lid-like member 17 can be easily performed.

  The external structure of the lid-like member 17 is not particularly limited, but it is necessary to have a cap-like structure that closes the open end of the hollow tube 16 so as to cover the lid. The shape of the opening portion 20 that is the internal structure of the lid-like member 17 is not particularly limited as long as it can be fitted to the hollow tube 16. Further, it is preferable that screws that are screwed to each other are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the hollow tube 16 and the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall of the lid-like member 17. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, a spiral male screw 23 is provided in the axial direction of the hollow tube 16, and a female screw that engages with the male screw 23 on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall of the lid-like member 17. 24 is provided. As a result, it is possible to fix the screw by screwing the hollow tube 16 and the lid-like member 17, increase the pressure resistance against the pressure of the permeating fluid, and easily remove the lid-like member 17. It becomes.

  Further, as the material of the lid-like member 17, for example, plastics such as vinyl chloride can be used.

  Here, in the present invention, a resin may be used for the closed portions of the lid-like member 17 and the hollow tube 16. Thereby, the obstruction | occlusion property by the lid-shaped member 17 can be improved further, and it becomes possible to raise the pressure | voltage resistant strength with respect to the pressure of a permeation fluid. Examples of the resin include an adhesive resin such as an epoxy resin.

  In the present invention, when the hollow tube 16 is closed with the lid-like member 17, an O-ring (leak prevention member) 21 is provided to fill a gap generated between the lid-like member 17 and the hollow tube 16. May be. As a result, leakage of the permeating fluid can be reliably prevented, and the airtightness between the hollow tube 16 and the lid-like member 17 can be improved, so that the pressure resistance strength of the closed portion can be further improved.

  Further, on the outer upper surface 22 of the lid-like member 17, for example, a groove (jig engagement portion) that engages with an operation jig capable of closing or opening the opening end of the hollow tube 16 by a turning operation. ) 25 is preferably provided (see FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b)). Thereby, operation, such as part replacement | exchange and disassembly of the lid-shaped member 17, can be performed more easily using an operation jig.

  About the outer peripheral part of the membrane element 12, it forms by covering the outermost peripheral surface directly with the resin 35 over the whole width, and covering cyclically | annularly. The resin 35 seals and protects the outer periphery of the membrane element 12, and fixes the first end cap 13 a and the second end cap 13 b (hereinafter referred to as “first end cap 13 a etc.”) to the membrane element 12. Has an effect.

  As the material of the resin 35, for example, reinforced plastic (FRP) can be used. The membrane element 12 is annularly covered by a so-called filament winding method, in which a glass fiber is impregnated with a resin and wound and cured to form a membrane module.

  As for the seal between the resin 35 covering the outer peripheral portion and the first end cap 13a and the like, there is a portion fixed to the resin 35 covering the outermost peripheral surface by providing the step portion 31 on the outer diameter surface of the first end cap 13a and the like. Increase and become easy to be fixed. Further, for example, an adhesive resin such as an epoxy resin may be used at the fixing position of the step portion 31 on the outer diameter surface of each end cap.

  At this time, it is possible to increase the strength of the fixing portion by having the uneven portion 32 as exemplified in FIG. 3 at the fixing position of the step portion 31 of the outer diameter surface such as the first end cap 13a. Become.

  As for the contact surface between the first end cap 13a and the like and the membrane element 12, as shown in FIG. 4, the joining portion with the end surface of the membrane element 12 is structured to hold at least one gap (recess) 35. As a result, a predetermined space can be secured between the first end cap 13a and the like and the membrane element 12, so that the flow of the supply fluid to the membrane module and the flow of the exhaust fluid from the membrane module can be improved. It is.

  In addition, by providing a connection portion 19 between the hollow tube 16 and an external pipe (not shown) for permeating fluid outlet on the outside of the first end cap 13a and the like, the supply fluid and concentration at the connection portion 19 are increased. It is possible to prevent mixing of fluid. That is, the coupling portion between the hollow pipe 16 and the permeating fluid outlet external pipe is connected to the first end cap 13a or the like such as the hollow pipe 16 and the first end cap 13a, the first end cap 13a or the like and the external pipe, respectively. This is because the supply fluid and the concentrated fluid may be mixed in the connecting portion when they are connected together. A through portion for the hollow tube 16 is provided in the first end cap 13a and the like, and the sealing between the hollow tube 16 and the first end cap 13a and the like is performed by O-rings 33 and 34 provided in the inside of the through portion. With the structure having 19 on the outer side of the first end cap 13a and the like, it is possible to achieve a structure with a high degree of adhesion so that no leakage occurs at the joint portion 19 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.

  As mentioned above, although typical embodiment of the liquid separation device concerning the present invention was described, it cannot be overemphasized that the present invention is not limited to the composition of such a membrane element or a lid-like member. It is possible to apply a suitable structure.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail by way of example. However, the materials and the like described in the examples are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them unless they are particularly limited, and are merely illustrative examples.

<Example 1>
In the membrane module having the structure shown in FIG. 1 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. Performance evaluation was carried out under constant conditions of ° C., pH 7.0, supply pressure 1.05 MPa, permeation pressure 0.5 MPa, and concentrated water flow rate 35 L / min. As a result, the permeated fluid did not flow out or leak from the closed portion of the hollow tube and the lid-like member.

<Comparative Example 1>
In the membrane module having the structure shown in FIG. 6 based on a conventional liquid separator, 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 a 0.15% sodium chloride aqueous solution is used as raw water. The performance was evaluated under the following conditions: water temperature 25 ° C., pH 7.0, supply pressure 1.05 MPa, permeation pressure 0.5 MPa, and concentrated water flow rate 35 L / min. As a result, outflow / leakage of permeated fluid occurred from the closed portion of the hollow tube and the lid-like member.

Cross section of liquid separator according to one embodiment of the present invention The principal part enlarged view which expanded the lid-shaped member of the said liquid separator The principal part enlarged view which expanded the lid-shaped member of the said liquid separator 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-sectional view of a conventional fluid separator

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Liquid separator 12 Membrane element 13a 1st end cap 13b 2nd end cap 14, 15 Connection part 16 Hollow tube 17 Cover-shaped member 18 Storage part 19 Connection part (connection part)
20 Opening portion 21 O-ring (leak prevention member)
22 Upper surface 23 Male screw 24 Female screw 25 Groove (jig engagement part)
31 Step 32 Uneven part 33, 34 O-ring 35 Resin

Claims (5)

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, Has a spiral membrane module comprising a membrane element having a sealing structure for preventing direct communication,
The outermost peripheral surface of the spiral membrane module is directly covered with resin, and a bonding member is fixed to both ends of the membrane element with the resin, and a function as a pressure vessel is added,
A liquid separation device, wherein at least one open end of the hollow tube is provided with a lid-like member that covers and closes the hollow tube.   Screws that are screwed together are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the hollow tube and the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall of the lid-like member, and the hollow tube and the lid-like member are screwed and fixed by screwing. The liquid separator according to claim 1.   The liquid separation device according to claim 1, wherein a leak prevention member for preventing leak from the hollow tube is provided inside the lid-like member.   The said coupling member has an accommodating part for accommodating the said lid-shaped member, and at least the upper surface is exposed to the front side and the lid-shaped member is accommodated in the accommodating part. The liquid separator according to any one of the above.   The jig engaging part which engages with the operation jig for closing or opening the hollow tube by the lid member is provided on the lid member. Liquid separation equipment.

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