JP2012066184A - Spiral membrane module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a spiral membrane module for which a connection method and configuration are not complicated and which has a connecting structure in which membrane elements can be securely connected to each other using a central tube.SOLUTION: The spiral membrane module accommodates a plurality of spiral membrane elements E connected in series in a pressure container and is characterized in that the membrane elements E are provided with a central tube 3 that extends from anti-telescoping parts 4 and has engaging parts 3a on an outer circumference, and is characterized by provision of a connecting part 10 which straddles the engaging parts 3a of adjacent membrane elements E and engages with both engaging parts 3a.

Description

  The present invention relates to a spiral membrane module in which a plurality of spiral membrane elements are connected and accommodated in a pressure vessel, and is particularly useful as a technique for dealing with an increase in the size of a membrane element.

  A spiral membrane module generally has a structure in which a plurality of spiral membrane elements are connected and accommodated in a pressure vessel (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This membrane element has, as its basic structure, a bifurcated membrane leaf in which a supply-side channel material is sandwiched between membrane separation layers, and a permeation-side channel material adjacent to the perforated central tube. It has a structure in which one or a plurality of laminated bodies of separation membrane units made of

  Telescope prevention members are provided at both ends of the separation membrane unit, and FRP (exterior material) is wound around the outer periphery of the separation membrane unit. During operation, the force due to the pressure difference between the supply side and the concentration side acts from the supply side of the membrane element to the concentration side, and this force is applied to the telescope prevention member provided on the concentration side. Supporting and preventing the separation membrane unit from causing the telescope phenomenon.

  When membrane elements are connected in series, a coupler is inserted into the central tube and the two are connected. An annular groove is provided on the outer periphery in the vicinity of both ends of the coupler, and O-rings held in the groove are in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the central tube. However, since the membrane elements are not fixed to each other, when the operation is started and stopped, relative displacement tends to occur in the axial direction, and the O-ring wears out and causes leakage.

  In order to prevent this, in Patent Document 1, an O-ring is held on the abutting surface of the end portion of the central tube, and an engaging portion is provided on a hub of a telescope prevention member (cap) to tighten membrane elements together. Thus, a connection structure of membrane elements capable of compressing an O-ring is disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a structure in which adjacent telescope preventing members are connected to each other by using a clasp, and Patent Document 3 connects both by forming an engaging portion on the adjacent telescope preventing member. Structure, Patent Document 4 describes a structure in which the outer peripheral grooves of adjacent telescope prevention members are used to connect the two by a seal member straddling both outer peripheral grooves. As described above, any of the conventional techniques employs a structure in which adjacent membrane elements are connected using adjacent telescope prevention members.

JP-T-2004-536703 Special table 2007-517661 JP 2007-190547 A JP 2009-226395 A

  However, since the telescope prevention member is usually made of resin, the fixing method using the telescope prevention member has a limit in strength. For example, when 6 to 7 membrane elements are connected and lifted for loading into a pressure vessel, the strength may be insufficient. Further, when the membrane element is enlarged to 16 inches or the like, the concern about insufficient strength increases.

  As described above, with an increase in the size of the membrane element (caliber 8 inches → 16 inches), a change in the method of loading the pressure vessel is also being considered due to a significant increase in weight. Conventionally, it has become difficult to push what was loaded one by one in a horizontally placed pressure vessel due to a significant increase in weight. A method of loading from above or a method of connecting a plurality of membrane elements and then lifting them with a crane and loading them in the vertical direction at a stretch have been studied. Therefore, there is a demand for a method for connecting membrane elements that can withstand the weight of connecting and lifting membrane elements. Moreover, when it lifts with a crane, the intensity | strength of a bending direction is also requested | required.

  On the other hand, the connection structures described in Patent Documents 1 to 4 do not withstand a load of several hundred kg level, and may be designed to withstand the load within the range disclosed in the publication. The method and form at the time of connection are complicated (need to be screwed or use a plurality of fasteners), and there is a problem that it takes time and effort.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a spiral membrane module having a connection structure in which membrane elements are not complicated and the membrane element can be firmly connected using a central tube. .

The above object can be achieved by the present invention as described below.
That is, the spiral membrane module of the present invention is a spiral membrane module in which a plurality of spiral membrane elements are connected in series and accommodated in a pressure vessel. The membrane element extends from a telescope prevention member. In addition, a center tube having an engaging portion on the outer periphery is provided, and a connecting member that engages with both engaging portions is provided across the engaging portions of adjacent membrane elements. In the present invention, the “telescope prevention member” is not limited to a member provided on the downstream side during operation, but also includes a member provided on the upstream side and refers to a member that supports the membrane portion from both ends.

  According to the spiral membrane module of the present invention, the central tube extends from the telescope prevention member and has an engaging portion on the outer periphery, and both engaging portions straddle the engaging portion of the adjacent membrane element. Since the connecting member that engages is provided, the membrane element can be firmly connected to each other by using the central tube without complicating the method and form during connection by mounting the connecting member.

  In the above, the connecting member includes an outer peripheral portion having substantially the same outer diameter as the membrane element, an intermediate portion disposed on the inner side thereof to allow liquid flow, and an inner peripheral portion having substantially the same inner diameter as the central tube. It is preferable that an engaging portion that engages with the engaging portion is provided on the inner surface side of the inner peripheral portion.

  According to this configuration, the membrane elements can be connected and fixed while securing the flow of the liquid from the upstream side to the downstream side by the intermediate portion of the connecting member. Further, the outer peripheral portion of the connecting member is interposed between the telescopic prevention members of the membrane element, whereby a stronger connecting structure can be obtained. In particular, when the axial length of the outer peripheral portion of the connecting member is almost the same as the distance between the telescopic preventing members of the membrane element, the strength in the bending direction in the connected state can be improved.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the engaging part of the center tube is a groove provided continuously or intermittently in the circumferential direction of the center tube. With this configuration, there is no hindrance to the installation of the telescope prevention member, and the membrane element can be connected by the connecting member by modifying only the central tube. Moreover, by providing continuously or intermittently in the circumferential direction of the central tube, relative rotation between the membrane elements can be made possible, or relative rotation can be prevented.

  The center tube and the connecting member are preferably made of metal. By making both of them metal, it becomes possible to connect the membrane elements more firmly.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said connection member has a main-body part which can be divided | segmented into plurality, and the main-body part has a structure which can be fastened by screwing. With this configuration, the membrane elements can be more firmly connected by a simple method.

  Further, the telescope prevention member has an annular portion on the outer periphery, and the connection member is connected to the end surface of the annular portion of the telescope prevention member and the outer periphery of the connection member in a state where the membrane element is connected. It is preferable that the end surfaces of these are in contact. Thereby, the strength in the bending direction in a state where the membrane elements are connected to each other can be further improved without modifying the telescope prevention member.

It is a figure which shows the principal part of an example of the spiral-type membrane module of this invention, (a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows a connection structure, (b) is a side view which shows the partially broken surface of the connection member. The front view which showed the partial cross section which shows the other example of the center pipe | tube of the spiral membrane module of this invention The side view which shows the other example of the connection member of the spiral membrane module of this invention The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the other example of the engaging part of the spiral membrane module of this invention

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the spiral membrane module of the present invention, a plurality of spiral membrane elements E are connected in series and accommodated in a pressure vessel (not shown).

  In the spiral membrane module of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1A, the membrane element E includes a central tube 3 that extends from the telescope prevention member 4 and has an engagement portion 3a on the outer periphery, and is adjacent to the membrane tube E. A connecting member 10 is provided to engage with both engaging portions 3a across the engaging portion 3a of the membrane element E to be performed.

  The spiral type membrane element E is a conventionally known one except that a membrane and a flow path material are wound around a perforated center tube 3 in a multilayer manner, and the center tube 3 has an engaging portion 3a on the outer periphery. This is the same as the membrane element E. The same pressure vessel (vessel) as that conventionally known can be used.

  An example of the membrane element E has a structure in which a separation membrane unit 2 composed of a membrane and a channel material is wound around a perforated central tube 3. The separation membrane unit 2 has a structure in which, for example, a membrane leaf and a permeation-side flow channel material having a configuration in which a supply-side flow channel material is disposed between two folded separation membranes are alternately stacked. As the membrane element E, any of conventionally known separation membranes, permeation side flow path materials, supply side flow path materials, the central tube 3 and the like can be adopted.

  For example, when a plurality of supply side flow path materials and permeation side flow path materials are used, a structure in which a plurality of membrane leaves are wound around the central tube 3 is obtained. On the outer peripheral side of the membrane element E, FRP1, which is a fiber reinforced resin as an exterior material, is formed. A plurality of membrane elements E are connected and accommodated in the pressure vessel.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, telescope prevention members 4 are provided at both end portions of the separation membrane unit 2. The telescope prevention member 4 prevents the membrane element E from being deformed into a telescope shape. The telescope prevention member 4 is provided with a through hole through which the central tube 3 can penetrate, and the central tube 3 is fitted into the through hole. Further, the telescope preventing member 4 is provided with hub plates 4a radially around the through hole.

  An annular groove is provided on the outer periphery of the telescope prevention member 4 provided on the upstream side of the separation membrane unit 2, and an annular seal member 6 that seals the gap between the pressure vessel and the membrane element E is gripped. ing. The seal member 6 has an annular shape extending in the circumferential direction, and protrudes toward the outer peripheral side to be in close contact with the inner wall of the pressure vessel. In order to ensure close contact with the pressure vessel, the material of the seal member 6 is preferably an elastic body.

  A coupler 9 may be inserted in the adjacent central tube 3. The coupler 9 is usually made of resin or metal.

  An annular groove is provided on the outer periphery in the vicinity of both ends of the coupler 9, and an O-ring 9 a is held in the groove and is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the center tube 3. The O-ring 9a can prevent the permeated liquid and the concentrated liquid from being mixed.

  The telescope prevention member 4 is provided with a step 4b, and the telescope prevention member 4 is fixed to the membrane element E by winding the step 4b and the separation membrane unit 2 with the FRP1. Thereby, the central tube 3, the separation membrane unit 2, and the telescope prevention member 4 are integrated.

  The center tube 3 is extended from the telescope prevention member 4, and the telescope prevention members 4 facing each other are in a separated state in a state where the center tubes 3 are in contact with each other. An engaging portion 3 a is provided on the outer periphery of the extended portion of the central tube 3. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an example is shown in which the engaging portion 3 a is a groove provided continuously in the circumferential direction of the central tube 3.

  A plurality of grooves can be provided in the groove constituting the engaging portion 3a. The cross section of the groove is preferably a tapered shape that expands to the outer peripheral side from the viewpoint of easy attachment of the connecting member 10. The inclination angle from the normal direction to the taper-shaped axis is preferably 5 to 45 °.

  The size of the engaging portion 3a may be designed according to the required load resistance. For example, the depth of the groove constituting the engaging portion 3a is preferably 20 to 50% of the thickness of the central tube 3. The width of the bottom surface of the groove is preferably 3 to 10 mm. When forming the engaging part 3a with a cylindrical recessed part, the method of providing about 4-8 cylindrical recessed parts with a diameter of about 5-10 mm and a depth of about 2-5 mm, and providing a circumferential direction line in an outer peripheral surface is mentioned, for example. .

  As the material of the center tube 3, it is possible to use FRP equivalent to the conventional material, resin such as fiber reinforced plastic, or metal such as stainless steel (SUS304, SUS316, etc.) or titanium alloy. Is not to be done. However, a fiber reinforced plastic or metal can be preferably used in terms of high load resistance. Moreover, it is preferable to use a thing with low corrosivity with respect to the fluid to be used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the connecting member 10 has an engaging portion 13 a that engages with both engaging portions 3 a across the engaging portions 3 a of adjacent membrane elements E. In the present embodiment, an outer peripheral portion 11 having substantially the same outer diameter as that of the membrane element E, an intermediate portion 12 that is arranged on the inner side thereof and allows a liquid to flow, and an inner peripheral portion 13 that has substantially the same inner diameter as the central tube 3 An example in which the connecting member 10 having the above has an engaging portion 13 a on the inner surface side of the inner peripheral portion 13 is shown.

  The engaging portion 13a of the connecting member 10 may have any structure as long as it can engage with the engaging portion 3a of the central tube 3, and is provided with a ridge provided continuously or intermittently in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface. Or other convex parts are mentioned. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the engaging portion 13a of the connecting member 10 is a ridge provided continuously.

  In the illustrated example, the inner peripheral portion 13 of the connecting member 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and has protrusions (ribs) at both ends of the inner peripheral surface. The ridges constituting the engaging portion 13a preferably have a taper-shaped cross section extending to the outer peripheral side, like the grooves constituting the engaging portion 3a of the central tube 3.

  The intermediate portion 12 may have any shape as long as it allows liquid to flow, but a radial hub plate, spoke, perforated plate, etc., which are generally employed for the telescope prevention member 4, Etc. can be adopted.

  The outer peripheral part 11 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and may have a fastening part for fastening the split structure at a diagonal position. The outer peripheral portion 11 preferably has a shape in which its own end surface 11c abuts against the telescope prevention member 4 having an annular portion on the outer periphery in a state where the membrane element E is connected. That is, it is preferable that the total length of the central tube 3 in the portion extending from the telescope prevention member 4 and the width of the connecting member 10 in the axial direction are substantially the same.

  In this invention, it is preferable that the connection member 10 has a main-body part which can be divided | segmented into plurality. In the illustrated example, a two-divided type is shown, but a structure that can be divided into a larger number may be used. Further, in order to facilitate the restoration of the shape from the divided state, a hinge portion or the like may be provided on the main body portion so that it can be pivotally supported (see FIG. 3A).

  It is preferable that the connection member 10 has a structure in which the main body portion can be fastened by screwing. The illustrated example is an example of a structure that can be fastened by two bolts 14. One outer peripheral portion 11 has a through hole 11a through which the bolt 14 can be inserted, and the other outer peripheral portion 11 has a screw cut portion 11b into which the bolt 14 can be screwed.

  The material of the connecting member 10 is not particularly limited as long as the material can withstand the load in a state where the membrane element E is connected. However, like the central tube 3, a resin or metal material may be used. it can. In particular, in view of load resistance and wear resistance with a fastening part (fixed screw portion or the like), it is preferable to use a metal one. Among metals, stainless steel, titanium alloy, and the like that are difficult to be corroded by a fluid are more preferable.

  The divided connecting member 10 is attached to the outer periphery so that its engaging portion 13a is positioned in its engaging portion 3a in a state where the central tube 3 of the adjacent membrane element E is abutted, and two bolts 14, the main body of the connecting member 10 is fastened.

  In the state where the membrane element E is connected, the central pipes 3 are connected to each other by the connecting member 10, so that the tensile strength in the axial direction is increased. For this reason, for example, when a method of connecting a plurality of membrane elements and then lifting them with a crane and loading them in the pressure vessel at once in the vertical direction can sufficiently withstand the lifting weight (a level of several hundred kg is also possible). In addition, when the end surface of the connecting member 10 is in contact with the telescope prevention member 4, the strength in the bending direction is improved when the crane 10 is lifted by a crane.

[Other Embodiments]
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the engaging portion 3a of the central tube 3 is a groove continuously provided in the circumferential direction of the central tube 3 has been described, but the engaging portion 3a of the central tube 3 is Further, it may be formed as a convex portion. For example, the protruding item | line or other convex part provided continuously or intermittently in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the center pipe 3 is mentioned. In that case, as the engaging part 13a of the connection member 10, the groove | channel etc. which were provided continuously or intermittently in the circumferential direction of the internal peripheral surface are mentioned.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2A, the engaging portion 3a of the central tube 3 may be a concave portion in which the shape of the opening is circular or elliptical. In that case, as the engaging portion 13a of the connecting member 10, a convex portion that is circular or elliptical can be mentioned. In order to increase the strength at the time of connection, it is preferable to provide a plurality of such recesses in the circumferential direction.

  Further, when the engaging portion 3a of the central tube 3 is formed as a groove, as shown in FIG. 2B, the cross section may be a triangle, a quadrangle, a semicircle, or the like. However, in order to increase the strength at the time of connection, it is preferable to have an engaging surface perpendicular to the axial direction on the end side of the engaging portion 3a. In that case, it is preferable that the center side of the engaging portion 13a of the connecting member 10 also has an engaging surface perpendicular to the axial direction.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG.2 (c), you may provide the groove | channel which comprises the engaging part 3a of the center pipe | tube 3 intermittently in the circumferential direction of an outer peripheral surface. In that case, the relative rotation between the membrane elements E can be suppressed by forming the protrusions having the same pattern on the engaging portion 13a of the connecting member 10. By suppressing the relative rotation between the membrane elements E, lifting by a crane can be performed more safely.

  (2) In the above-described embodiment, the example of the connecting member 10 having the outer peripheral portion 11, the intermediate portion 12, and the inner peripheral portion 13 has been shown. However, the structure of the connecting member 10 straddles the engaging portion 3a. Any structure may be used as long as it engages both engaging portions 3a.

  For example, as shown to Fig.3 (a), the structure which has the engaging part 10a engaged with the engaging part 3a of the center pipe 3 in the cyclic | annular part with which the outer periphery of the center pipe 3 is mounted | worn may be sufficient. In this example, the main body connected to the hinge portion 15 provided at one end can be divided at the time of mounting, and has a structure having a fastening portion having a through hole through which the bolt 14 is inserted at the other end of the main body. . The main body is fastened by the bolts 14 and the nuts 16 inserted through the through holes.

  Moreover, it replaces with the cyclic | annular connection member 10, and it is set as the U-shaped or C-shaped connection member 10, By inserting the connection member 10 from the normal line direction of an axial center, the engaging part 3a and the engaging part It is also possible to engage with 10a. In that case, the connecting member 10 is preferably made of an elastically deformable metal (spring steel or the like).

  (3) In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the fastening part for fastening the separable main body part with the bolt 14 is provided on the outer peripheral part 11 of the connecting member 10 is shown. Any position may be provided.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, a screw cutting portion 13 b that can screw the bolt 14 may be provided on the inner peripheral portion 13 of the connecting member 10. Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, screw cutting portions 11 b and 13 b may be provided on the outer peripheral portion 11 and the inner peripheral portion 13 of the connecting member 10 so as to be fastened with more bolts 14.

  As a fastening method, a screw, a clamp, a patch lock, fitting between divided connecting members, fitting with a lock mechanism, and the like can be used.

  (4) In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the engaging portion 3a of the central tube 3 is a groove that is provided continuously or intermittently in the circumferential direction has been shown. It is preferable that the wall surface formed before and behind the circumferential direction of the pipe 3 has a tapered shape that extends to the outer circumferential side inclined from the radial direction. Thereby, the attachment of the connecting member 10 is facilitated, and the relative rotation between the membrane elements E can be more reliably suppressed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, an engaging portion 3a made of one or a plurality of concave portions is provided in the central tube 3, and an engaging portion 13a made of a convex portion engaged with the engaging portion 3a is provided on the inner periphery of the connecting member 10. It is preferable to provide on the surface.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (b), the center tube 3 is provided with one or more engaging portions 3a each having a concave portion having a linear bottom surface, and the engaging portion 13a having a convex portion that engages with the engaging portion 3a is a connecting member. The same effect can be obtained by providing it on the inner peripheral surface of 10.

  Such a connection structure can also be applied to the connection member 10 having the outer peripheral portion 11, the intermediate portion 12, and the inner peripheral portion 13.

1 FRP
2 Separation membrane unit 3 Center tube 3a Center tube engaging portion 4 Telescope prevention member 10 Connecting member 10a Connecting member engaging portion 11 Outer peripheral portion 11c End surface of outer peripheral portion 12 Intermediate portion 13 Inner peripheral portion 13a Engaging of connecting member Part 14 Bolt E Membrane element

Claims (6)

In a spiral membrane module in which a plurality of spiral membrane elements are connected in series and accommodated in a pressure vessel,
The membrane element includes a central tube extending from the telescope prevention member and having an engaging portion on the outer periphery, and engages with both engaging portions across the engaging portion of the adjacent membrane element. A spiral membrane module comprising a connecting member.   The connecting member has an outer peripheral portion having substantially the same outer diameter as that of the membrane element, an intermediate portion that is arranged on the inner side thereof and allows a liquid to flow, and an inner peripheral portion having substantially the same inner diameter as that of the central tube. The spiral membrane module according to claim 1, further comprising an engaging portion that engages with the engaging portion on an inner surface side of the inner peripheral portion.   The spiral membrane module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the engaging portion of the central tube is a groove provided continuously or intermittently in a circumferential direction of the central tube.   The spiral membrane module according to claim 1, wherein the central tube and the connecting member are made of metal.   The spiral membrane module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connecting member has a main body part that can be divided into a plurality of parts, and the main body part has a structure that can be fastened by screwing. The telescope prevention member has an annular portion on the outer periphery,
The spiral membrane according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the connecting member is in contact with the end surface of the annular portion of the telescope prevention member and the end surface of the outer peripheral portion in a state where the membrane element is connected. module.

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