JP2015093230A - Method and device for filtering and separating fluid medium by membrane - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for separating various product materials by one process from a complicated chemical mixture to be separated regarding the method and a device for filtering and separating a fluid medium by a membrane.SOLUTION: A method is equipped with: a compaction housing 14 provided with many membranes 13; at least one inlet 15 of a fluid medium 11 to be transmitted to a device 10; an outlet 16 for permeable materials 18; and an outlet 17 for residual portions 19, in which the membranes 13 are formed as membrane cushions having opening areas for the permeable materials 18 to be collected in internal spaces of the membranes. Since the respective subsets of sets of the membranes 13 forming a membrane stack are formed for different separation ranges regarding the fluid medium to be separated, the respective subsets of the sets of the membranes of various separation ranges are driven with preset, different pressure, respectively, and driven in different vacuums on permeable object sides of the membranes 13.

Description

The present invention is a method for filtering and separating a fluid medium by means of a membrane, comprising a substantially compact housing provided with a number of membranes, and at least for the separated fluid medium sent to the device. One inlet, at least one outlet for the permeate delivered from the device and an outlet for the remainder delivered are provided, the membrane for allowing the permeate to collect in the inner space of the membrane to flow out And a device for filtering and separating a fluid medium by means of a membrane, comprising a substantially compacted housing provided with a number of membranes, and a device At least one inlet for the separated fluid medium sent to the apparatus, at least one outlet for the permeate delivered from the device, and the remainder delivered And an outlet for the device, wherein the membrane is in the form of a membrane cushion having an open area for allowing the permeate that collects in the interior space of the membrane to flow out.

  A method and an apparatus used for performing such a method are described in Patent Document 1, for example. There, the device is formed in the context of an actual separation unit which is formed in the form of a so-called wound membrane and can be accommodated in a compact housing.

  The membrane elements used there are usually formed in the form of so-called membrane cushions, also called cushion membranes or membrane bags in the person skilled in the art, and the medium to be separated and the size of the medium (surface of the membrane). ) For each separation purpose. The actual material-selective membrane that forms the membrane cushion can likewise be selected for the purpose of separating the media to be separated, in particular for that purpose.

  Pressure-driven separation techniques distinguish between filtration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis. These pressure-driven separation techniques overlap in part. Therefore, rigorous separation is only considered theoretical by those skilled in the art with respect to the physical mechanism of action of material separation occurring within the membrane. However, the above-mentioned rough division is usually used (see Non-Patent Document 1).

Membrane material separation has begun in almost all areas of commerce and industry, and for example, industrial and fresh water from ships and offshore facilities such as drilling platforms used or anchored at sea. It extends to the field of seawater demineralization for production and separation of leaks occurring, for example, in garbage dumps, but also in the fields of commerce and industry and municipal wastewater treatment.

  Many of these liquid fluid media are composed, in part, from various mixtures of various liquid components mixed with gaseous components. With regard to the components, conventionally, for any desired separation product after separation of the separation method (Durchlaufen), the equipment used to carry out the separation method or a separation means specific to the product must be provided. Don't be. This, as can be easily seen, requires high costs associated with the device, as well as costly control of the method. Such control must be required or implemented to separate complex chemical mixtures. Many of the materials that are separated from the chemical mixture must be separated from the separated chemical mixture using various separation mechanisms for the above classification. This is because a given separation method is not appropriate for a given substance of the chemical mixture to be separated, and only other methods will be successful. Even various substances in a chemical mixture belonging to the same chemical / physical substance group are sometimes separated only by one method of substance separation, from the total mixture that must be separated. It is not separated by the other method of material separation.

  As already outlined above, in complexly structured fluid media, conventionally, the separation of intermediate products is likewise effected by the device, i.e. by the device that is matched to the desired product to be separated each time. New executions add what can be achieved in turn. This takes a very long time and high energy costs in addition to the costs associated with the previously described device.

EP-A-1 445 013

Membrantrennverfahren, Ultrafiltration und Umkehrrosmose, Robert Rautenbach, Verlag Salle + Sauerlaender, 1981

  Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method capable of decomposing various products in one step from a complex chemical mixture to be separated, each of these products having various separations. This method can be used for a mechanism, and this method requires a lower cost for the device compared to a conventional separation device, e.g. of the device, i.e. of a device intended to be able to carry out such a method. No modification is required, so the method can be performed quickly and inexpensively.

  According to the solution according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the membrane stack, each subset of a collection of membranes of various separation ranges is separated from each predetermined, different fluid medium to be separated. By being able to be driven by pressure, and by the solution according to the second invention, in the membrane stack, each subset of a collection of membranes of different separation ranges is separated from the fluid medium to be separated. This is solved by driving with each predetermined, different vacuum.

  Of the two very advantageous solutions according to the invention, the latter solution makes it possible to separate substances consisting of complex chemical mixtures. The substance can only be carried out by means of a membrane, for example moving by means of pervaporation.

  The advantage of the solution according to the present invention for each separation method is that, as tried for the problem, the selection of individual subsets of the set for all the membranes under pressure, so to speak, in one method step. According to different material ranges, selective material separation is possible, i.e. selective for each desired product from the chemical mixture to be separated. As a result, the separation method that has been used repeatedly as many times as necessary in principle can be reduced to a single separation method in principle. This is not only a significant advantage for the device, as attempted, but also an advantage realized in time and cost savings.

  In principle, the same advantages are achieved with the proposed solution according to the invention. In this solution, the material separation process is performed by low pressure (vacuum), ie by the following method, ie the separation of a given chemical mixture is only possible by low pressure on the permeate side of the membrane element Made by.

  According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, a pre-settable subset of the membrane population of the membrane stack is driven with different vacuums of the fluidized media to be separated. That is, each set of membrane elements of the membrane stack is responsible for only one separation task or one separation range, while the other subset of the membrane stack membrane set is the other of the separated media. It is specified with respect to the separation range. The size of the individual subsets of the membrane is likewise predictable by the resulting separated fluid medium collection (volume) and of a given variety of substances in the total chemical mixture to be separated. It is determined by the set (volume) of proportions.

  It is advantageous that the same applies to material separation at low pressure as well. It is advantageous to supply a pre-settable subset of the membrane stack's membrane assembly with vacuums of different heights with respect to the media to be separated.

  Supplying at least one first pre-settable subset of the membrane set of membrane stacks with different heights with respect to the medium to be separated and at least one second pre-set of the membrane set; It is advantageous to be able to apply different pressures to the configurable subset.

  An apparatus for filtering and separating a fluid medium through a membrane, the apparatus used to perform the method described in the first part of the specification for filtering and separating a fluid medium through a membrane is a membrane stack. It is preferred that each sub-set of the membrane assembly forming the is formed for a different separation range with respect to the separated fluid medium.

  For example, one subset of the membrane assembly that forms the membrane stack consists of membranes that are suitable for nanofiltration, for example, and the other subset of membranes can be driven for separation based on the principle of reverse osmosis Preferably, the other set of membranes of the membrane stack is made up of membranes that are formed for separation based on the principle of ultrafiltration. Such an enumeration of different membrane assemblies for different separation ranges has to be understood here as an example. All other films can also form a subset of each of the films in the film stack. However, these other membranes are not explicitly listed here. The advantages in a similar problem, described in the context of the method described in the first part of the specification, apply to the device formed according to the invention.

  In principle, the device according to the invention can be chosen arbitrarily and appropriately with regard to the installation of the membrane in the device or in a housing which is part of the device, i.e. the membrane element is hollow fiber Although a device composed of a membrane or a capillary membrane is also suitable in principle, it is very advantageous to form the membrane stack as a multilayer spiral. Such a membrane stack is also referred to as a spiral module, and all of the membrane when the flow medium flows through the spirally provided membrane for the separated media that flows through the spiral on the end face side. This has the great advantage that the same pressure ratio dominates at the position. Such a spiral module, also called a winding module, can accommodate a membrane surface that is larger than the membrane element stack, for example, on the same spatial volume. In the membrane element stack, the media to be separated is sent in a lightning pattern through the membrane element stack from the inlet for the media to be separated to the remaining outlet from the device.

  The embodiment of the spiral module or winding module is the same pressure of the medium (feed) to be separated at any location on the membrane surface, with respect to the device according to the invention of individual collections of membranes with different separation ranges. It has the advantage that the ratio is dominant.

  In membrane separation technology, it is important that the permeate that occurs between the membrane-selective membrane elements, ie the actual membrane of the membrane cushion, in the interior space of the membrane cushion can flow out quickly and without interruption. Since the permeate has various fluidity in various separation ranges (membranes are designed for this range), the fluidity can be increased by at least one intermediate element in the internal space. It is advantageous to optimize by being provided between the membrane elements. The intermediate element has a spacing function, i.e. not only keeps the two inner surfaces of the membrane of the membrane cushion apart. The purpose is also to allow the permeate to flow out unimpeded, ie smoothly, in the interior space of the membrane cushion.

  Advantageously, the substantially planar intermediate element has different thicknesses that are pre-selectable according to the separation range of the membrane cushion. The thickness is adjusted to a selected separation range (for which the membrane element is selected or formed), and the membrane element is given an optimized shape. The purpose is to avoid hindering the permeate outflow that collects in the interior space of the membrane.

In order to make the separated media flow as smoothly as possible in the membrane stack, according to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a plurality of gaps are provided between the membrane cushions forming the membrane stack. Elements are provided. These spacing elements are intended to cause the separated fluid medium to flow substantially smoothly. Also with respect to the flow path for the separated media passing through the membrane stack, the spacing elements formed in a substantially planar or grid-like manner are at least membrane membrane elements of each membrane cushion adjacent on both sides It is very advantageous to have different thicknesses that can be selected according to the separation range. This thickness of the spacing element also defines the smoothest possible flow of the separated fluid medium through the membrane stack. The thickness of the spacing element can be selected to accommodate the selected separation range of each membrane cushion. Thus, an easy adaptation with the aim of achieving an optimal flow of the separated media through the membrane stack is likewise possible.

  According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the plurality of membrane cushions forming the membrane stack are wound around the permeate discharge / collection means penetrating the device as a spiral, The opening area is connected to the corresponding permeate discharge opening of the permeate discharge / collection means. For this purpose, the permeate discharge and collection means has a number of holes through the tubular envelope of the membrane cushion. These holes are connected to the permeate discharge opening or the permeate discharge opening or the permeate discharge area of the membrane cushion, and the permeate can flow out through these holes. Aligned so that you can.

  According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the membrane stack formed as a spiral is wound around the surface of a separate tube element, and the perforation discharge / collection is provided in the inner bore of the tube element. Means are accommodated. This means that the spiral module or the winding module can be pre-manufactured in a usable state, and must be pushed onto the separate permeate discharging / collecting means, which in this embodiment is formed in a tubular shape. Has the advantage of not. In this embodiment of the device, the tubular permeate discharge and collection means can be used as a central clamping screw that penetrates the housing of the device. The purpose is that the spiral module or the winding module can be compactly accommodated in the housing of the apparatus.

  Similarly, as outlined in the first part of the specification, the principle of the device according to the invention can be applied to a membrane stack formed by a number of interstitial and disc-shaped spacing elements and membrane cushions. It is also possible to apply. Such a device is known, for example, from EP-A-0 289 740. The publication is known in the prior art in many embodiments in principle in the same structure. The principles according to the invention relating to the apparatus and method are readily applied to such membrane stacks.

  In the membrane stack formed in this way, the medium separated above and below the membrane surface in an action similar to that of the above-mentioned planarly formed spacing element usually formed in a lattice shape. In order to reach a corresponding space for, it is preferred that a number of protrusions projecting from the surface are provided on at least one surface of the spacing element. The height of these protrusions is such that the liquid-selective surface of each of the membrane cushions does not rest on the height of the protrusions, but rather supports the protrusions at a slight distance from the membrane cushion, if necessary. It has a size to do. In another type of protrusion, the protrusion protruding from the disc-shaped spacing element is formed with a slight surface and parallel to the surface of the spacing element. Hence, the membrane element can support itself on these parallel surfaces of the protrusion. The purpose is to avoid material selective membrane surface damage.

  It is generally true that the thickness of the spacing element is determined by the height of the protrusion.

  Finally, in this embodiment of the membrane stack, the spacing element may also comprise an outer edge that surrounds the periphery. Each of these edges protrudes from the surface of the spacing element. The thickness of the spacing element is determined by the height of the edge of the spacing element.

  Thus, in this embodiment of the membrane element stack, always one passage for the media to be separated is adapted to the height of the protrusions and / or the height of the edges to correspond to the desired area portion of the media. And it is easily guaranteed.

  The first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following schematic drawings. The second embodiment will be outlined only with respect to a variation of the first embodiment.

1 shows a cross-sectional view of an apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG. The spiral is wound around the tube element and can be pushed over the permeate discharge and collection means in the form of a bolt that penetrates substantially through the device. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the spiral along the line CD shown in FIG. 2. The permeate discharging / collecting means inserted into the inner space of the tube element, the membrane cushion that has not yet been wound, and the spacing element provided between the plurality of membrane cushions, on an enlarged scale compared to FIG. Is displayed. FIG. 3 is intended to explain FIG. 2 in more detail. A partial side view of the spacing element is shown on an enlarged scale. A plan view of the spacing element is shown on an enlarged scale. Fig. 4 shows a membrane cushion used according to the invention having a region on one side forming a permeate discharge opening. FIG. 6 shows a partial cross-sectional view along line AB in FIG. 5 and shows the structure of a membrane cushion with an intermediate element. FIG. 6 shows a partial cross-sectional view along line EF in FIG. 5 and shows the structure of the membrane cushion without an intermediate element. Figure 3 shows a plan view of the spacing element and the membrane cushion. Spacing elements are used in separation devices. The separation device is formed as a substantially cylindrical membrane stack, in which the set of all spacing elements alternates with the set of all membrane cushions (the second of the device according to the invention). Variation of). FIG. 9 shows a side cross-sectional view of the spacing element of FIG. 8. Details not necessary for understanding the device are omitted.

  With regard to the structure of the device 10, reference is first made to FIGS. The device 10 has a compact housing 14 which is here formed in FIGS. 1 and 2 as a cylindrical element. Permeate discharge / collection means 21 is provided substantially axially relative to the housing 14 and substantially penetrating the device 14. The permeate discharging / collecting means further has a function of a tightening bolt that supports or collects the separation unit 110. This point will be described in detail below.

  A portion of the separation unit 110 is shown in FIG. This separation unit has closure elements 25 and 26 in addition to the permeate discharge / collection means 21 penetrating the device 10 in a bolt shape. In FIG. 2, the closure element is not shown for the sake of clarity.

  The permeate discharge / collection means 21 has a separate tube element 27. This tube element can be pushed over the permeate discharge / collection means, but can also be pulled out of the permeate discharge / collection means 21.

  A number of membranes formed as membrane cushions 13 are formed in a separate tube element 27 that also passes substantially through the device 10 and has an axial length that is slightly shorter than the axial length of the housing 14. Are wound as a multi-element or multi-layer spiral 20 (see FIG. 3). 1 and 2, the multi-element spiral 20 is shown in the final, rolled-up state.

  The collection of all membrane elements shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 forms the membrane stack 12 shown in FIG. 3 and described in detail below. The membrane cushion 13 forming the membrane stack 12 is formed for various separation ranges with respect to the fluid medium 11 to be separated. This means that a part of the membrane stack 12 is formed from membrane elements or membrane cushions 13, which are for example for reverse osmosis, for example for nanofiltration, for example for ultrafiltration. Or for normal filtration or for material separation by pervaporation methods.

  A predetermined subset of the set of membrane cushions 13 that form the membrane stack 12 is used to form the membrane stack 12 as described above.

  For example, the appropriately formed membrane cushion 13 can also perform material separation by pervaporation and vacuum-assisted methods. Any combination of different separation ranges of the fluid medium 11 is possible, and a membrane stack 12 configured in a spiral shape can be formed.

  The depiction (Darstellung) of FIG. 3, which shows the cross section of FIG. 2 along line CD in FIG. 2 on a larger scale, is different from FIG. 2 in that the permeate inserted into the bore 270 of the tube element 27. A discharge / collection means 21 and a multi-element spiral 20 comprising individual membrane cushions 13 are shown. The membrane cushion shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 is not shown to scale. In a realized embodiment, the membrane cushion has, for example, a width of 950 mm and a length of 755 mm. The length is the effective length of the membrane cushion 13 as viewed in the direction of the tube element 27. The above values of width and length for the membrane cushion relate to only one possible embodiment. However, for different embodiments of the device 10, completely different widths and lengths of the membrane cushion 13 are also conceivable.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the multi-element spiral 20 comprises 18 membrane cushions 13. Even in this case, it should be pointed out that different numbers of membrane cushions 13 form the spiral 20.

  According to the desired application method, each subset of the set of membrane cushions 13 forming the membrane stack 12 is selected, and therefore in view of the attempted material separation of the complexly configured fluid medium, ie the quality. The membrane cushion can be pre-assembled according to the desired degree of separation and the overall desired separation result achieved both quantitatively and quantitatively.

Similarly, it should be pointed out that the depiction of FIG. 3 should only be understood as schematic in order to better understand the device 10. Therefore, the individual membrane cushions 13 forming the multi-element spiral 20 are shown here in a so-called separated state.
The membrane cushion 13 has the structure shown in FIGS. This will be described in detail below. In the final wound state of the multi-element spiral 20, the spiral 20 takes the shape shown in the side sectional view in FIGS.

  The membrane cushion 13 of the multi-element spiral 20 has a permeate discharge area, that is, a permeate discharge opening 131, in the radial direction as follows, with respect to the tube element 27 having the permeate discharge opening 131. Directed to or leading to the hole 271, the radial hole being provided in the tube element 27 (also see FIG. 3). For example, the following is possible. The permeate 18 exiting from the permeate discharge opening of the membrane or membrane cushion 13 can enter the radial hole 271 and is provided in the inner hole 270 of the tube element 27 through the radial hole. The permeate discharge / collecting means 21 can enter the permeate inflow opening. From there, the permeate was formed at one end of the permeate discharge / collection means 21 through the permeate inflow opening 210 in the form of an axial groove and formed in the permeate discharge / collection means 21. It can be sent to the annular passage and from there through the permeate outlet 16 to the outside.

  However, instead of a separate groove-like permeate inflow opening 210, an annular shape is provided between the bore 270 of the tube element 27 and the bolt-like permeate discharge / collection means 21 substantially penetrating the device 10. It is also possible to provide a passageway through which the permeate 18 is then sent to the permeate outlet 16.

  In the described embodiment of the device 10, 18 radial holes 271 are provided in the tube element 27 corresponding to the 18 membrane cushions 13. Along the separate tube element 27 there are a number of radial holes 271 arranged in series in the axial direction according to the length of the membrane cushion 13. The purpose is to ensure an even outflow of permeate 18 leaving the membrane cushion 13.

  The multi-element second spiral 22 is formed by a plurality of spacing elements 22. These spacing elements are provided such that the membrane cushions 13 forming the multi-element spiral 20 are separated from each other by a large number of spacing elements 23 forming the multi-element spiral 22. In FIG. 3, the spacing element 23 is indicated by a broken line, unlike the membrane cushion 13.

  Spacing elements 23 having approximately the same length and width as the membrane cushion 13 have a lattice-like structure (see FIGS. 4a and 4b). The depiction of the spacing element 23 in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b is shown enlarged to reveal the structure of the spacing element 23. The lattice-like structure of the spacing element 23 is formed by a plurality of first and second elements 230 and 231 that are substantially orthogonal. These elements 230 and 231 are formed in a rod shape. Here, the cross section of the first element 230 is larger than the cross section of the second element 231. The spacing element 23 is formed as follows in order to form a multi-element first spiral 20 consisting of a plurality of membrane cushions in the device 10, ie the first element 231 of the spacing element 23 is a tube element. 27, and therefore also the separated flow medium that is substantially axially aligned with the bolt-like permeate discharge and collection means 21 and therefore penetrates the spirals 20 and 22, is in the second element 231. It is provided so as to form a negligibly small flow resistance for the fluidized medium 11 to be separated.

  The first and second elements 230, 231 of the spacing element 23 have a substantially circular structure in the embodiment shown here in FIGS. 4a and 4b. Basically, however, other cross-sectional shapes are also possible, for example when the flowing medium overflows from the membrane cushion 13 of the multi-element spiral 20, for example of the turbulent flow of the separated medium 11. This is the case when the occurrence is intended to be achieved accurately. This may be necessary for specially desired applications. The spacing element 23 is made of an elastic material, for example a plastic which may be an elastic plastic.

  In accordance with that aspect of the membrane cushion subset formed by each desired set of membrane cushions 13, it is contemplated that the spacing elements 23 have selectable different thicknesses. Depending on the selectable thickness of the spacing element 23, each flow path for the flow medium 11 between two adjacent membrane cushions 13 is likewise influenced by the desired separation result of the flow medium 11 and each desired separation. Can be determined according to the range. In the membrane stock 12, therefore, different spacing elements 23 with different thicknesses 232 can be used as well, according to each subset of membrane cushion 13 formed for a given separation range.

  When the first multi-element spiral 20 comprising the membrane cushion 13 is brought into its final form (see FIGS. 1 and 2), the spacing elements 23 provided between the plurality of membrane cushions 13 are respectively Fits the surface of each adjacent membrane element 133, 134 of each adjacent membrane cushion 13 but prevents each membrane element 133, 134 of each adjacent membrane cushion 13 from directly overlapping Thus forming a flow path for the separated fluid medium. Therefore, the fluid medium can enter the multi-element spiral 20 comprising the membrane cushion 13 on the end face side (see the right side of FIG. 1), and the total length of the membrane cushion 13 comprising the multi-element spiral 20. After stroking, it can flow out again (see left side of FIG. 1). By providing a spacing element 23 provided between a plurality of membrane elements of the first multi-element spiral 20 and likewise forming a multi-element second spiral 22, it is always possible for the fluid medium 11. A sufficiently large flow path is guaranteed.

  In the example described here, the first and second spirals 20, 22 consisting of 36 elements, ie 180 membrane cushions 13 and 18 spacing elements 23, are also in the final, wound state. 1 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), i.e. when the membrane cushion 13 overlaps under the intermediate positioning of each of the spacing elements 23, the spirals 20, 22 are in the outer circumferential surface 24 (see FIG. 2). ) Is fixed. This can occur, for example, by winding the outer peripheral surface 24 of the spirals 20, 22 with one thread-like element or a plurality of thread-like elements. In order to give the spirals 20 and 22 more rigidity while still being wound, the thread-like elements can be impregnated with a curable resin or plastic. By winding the spirals 20 and 22 by appropriately supplying heat or by properly adjusting the curing process of the resin or plastic, the curing process of the thread-like element can be triggered. However, it is also possible to wind the outer peripheral surface 24 of the spirals 20 and 22 like a coil by a band made of an elastic material, for example.

  The thus-formed object composed of the spirals 20 and 22, for example as shown in FIG. 2, is then pushed onto the permeate discharging / collecting means 21 that penetrates the device 10 in a bolt shape. This object consisting of a multi-element spiral 20 and a tube element 27 can then be provided with respective closure elements 25, 26 that are partitioned on both sides. The closure element is provided with at least one inlet 15 for the fluid medium 11 to be separated and an outlet 17 for the remainder 19. By means of suitable sealing means and a cover sleeve, the closing elements 25, 26 are kept sealed against the tube element 17. The closing elements 25 and 26 are inserted into the housing 14 after the separation unit 110 composed of the spirals 20 and 22, the permeate discharging and collecting means 21, and the closing elements 25 and 26 is inserted into the housing 14 (FIG. 1). Sealing means which can be positioned compactly with respect to

  The membrane cushion 13 used in the device 10 has a substantially rectangular structure (see FIG. 5).

  This type of membrane cushion 13 is described, for example, in EP-B-0 129 663 and may be manufactured in a known manner.

  Such a membrane cushion 13 usually consists of two membrane elements 133, 134 and is usually manufactured from a suitable polymer material. The polymer is selected such that the polymer is selected according to the fluidized medium 11 to be separated, particularly with respect to the separation task performed by the apparatus 10. The peripheral edges 136 of the two membrane elements 133, 134 (see also FIGS. 6 and 7) are welded or suitably applied in a known manner, for example by sonication.

  A feature of the membrane cushion 13 used in connection with the apparatus according to the present invention is that a permeate discharge opening 131 is formed on the end surface 132 of the membrane cushion 13, that is, in a predetermined region. The opening is aligned with the radial hole 271 of the tube element 27, and the permeate 18 flowing out of the membrane cushion 13 through the permeate discharge opening 131 enters the radial hole 271 of the tube element 27. It is to be able to do. At least one intermediate element 135 may be provided inside the membrane cushion 13, that is, between the membrane elements 133 and 134 forming the membrane cushion 13 (implementation of the membrane cushion 13 shown in FIG. 6). (See the form).

  The intermediate element 135 likewise has a different thickness 139. The purpose is to optimally adapt the intermediate space formed between the two material-selective membrane layers forming the membrane cushion 13 to the flow medium 11 separated with respect to the permeate 18 generated in the membrane cushion. It is. In addition to the actual membrane embodiment aspect and the appropriately selectable thickness 233 of the spacing element 23, by appropriate selection of the thickness 139 of the intermediate element 135 according to the fluid medium separated by the apparatus 10, There are other parameters. This parameter is selectable and allows an optimal adaptation to the fluid medium 11 to be separated. The intermediate element 135 can also act on the membrane cushion 13 with mechanical stability. The collection of all intermediate elements 135 can further mechanically stabilize the entire membrane stack 12 as well.

  The intermediate element 135 can have a very similar structure. This allows the permeate to flow or outflow more easily into the permeate discharge opening 131. However, basically, it is also possible not to have an intermediate element 135 between the membrane elements 133 and 134 (see the embodiment of the membrane cushion 13 shown in FIG. 7).

  The apparatus 10 is generally described above in connection with the structure that is common in spiral and wound membrane modules. The device 10 according to the invention and the method according to the invention can in principle also be applied to the membrane stack 12. Such a membrane stack is formed as the following separation means. In such a separating means, the spacing elements assembled in a stack as a cylindrical stack are provided below the intermediate layer of each membrane cushion 13, respectively. Such a device was described, for example, in EP-A-0 289 740.

  Such a disc-shaped spacing element is shown, for example, in FIGS. The fluid medium 11 flows in a lightning pattern in a stack consisting of a membrane cushion 13 and a planarly spaced spacing element 23 from an inlet for the fluid medium 11 to an outlet for the remainder. The permeate is collected in a known manner in the central permeate discharge and collection means 21 and is sent out from a device not shown in detail here through an outlet for dialysate. The spacing element 23 has two surfaces 28, 29, which are formed substantially parallel to each other and have a number of protrusions 30. The protrusion height 31 defines a flow path for the fluid medium 11. One spacing element 23 is confined between the two spacing elements 23. The edges 32, 33 surrounding the spacing element 23 on both sides likewise define a flow cross section for the fluid medium on both sides of the spacing element 23 instead of or in addition to the height of the protrusion 30. In several embodiments of the spacing element 23 known in the prior art, the membrane cushion 13 is supported only between the tips of the projections 30 but does not rest on the dienes. On the other hand, in the other spacing element 23, the membrane cushion 13 is formed parallel and flat to the surface of the spacing element and on the projection surface provided at the tip of the projection 30, the tip of the projection 30. On it.

  As will be generally appreciated, the apparatus described in connection with FIGS. 8 and 9 is provided in the membrane cushion 13 and can be driven. The device has been described in connection with the spiral wound membrane module.

The method according to the invention is carried out, for example, as follows, using the device 10 described according to the invention. That is,
The fluid medium 11 is separated by a membrane 13, the device 10 having a substantially compacted housing 14 provided with a number of membranes 13, and the separated fluid medium 11 sent to the device. And at least one outlet 13 for the permeate 11 delivered from the device 10 and an outlet 17 for the remainder delivered. The membrane 13 is formed as a membrane cushion having an opening region for allowing the permeate 18 collected in the inner space 137 of the membrane to flow out, that is, a permeate discharge opening 131. The method is implemented such that each subset of the set of membranes 13 forming the membrane stack 12 is formed for a different separation range with respect to the separated fluid medium 11, and the apparatus is It is configured.

  The method and apparatus is driven as follows, i.e. for different separation ranges of the membrane 13 of the membrane stack 12, the membrane being driven at each presettable and different pressure on the fluid medium 11 to be separated. It is configured as such. However, it is also possible to supply each different preset vacuum to the membrane for different separation ranges.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Apparatus 110 Separation unit 11 Flow medium 12 Membrane stack 13 Membrane / membrane cushion 130 Membrane cushion end 131 Permeate discharge opening 132 End face 133 Membrane element 134 Membrane element 135 Intermediate element 136 Region 137 Membrane inner space 138 Edge 139 Thickness / intermediate element 14 Housing 15 Inlet 16 Permeate outlet 17 Permeate outlet 18 Permeate 19 Remaining 20 Spiral (first)
21 Permeate discharge / collection means 210 Permeate inflow opening (permeate discharge / collection means)
22 Spiral (second)
23 Spacing element 230 Bar-shaped first grid element 231 Bar-shaped second grid element 232 Thickness / space element 24 Peripheral surface (spiral)
25 closing element 26 closing element 27 tube element 270 inner hole 271 radial hole 28 surface 29 surface 30 protrusion 31 height / projection 32 edge 33 edge 34 height / edge

Claims (17)

A method for filtering and separating a fluid medium by means of a membrane, comprising a substantially compact housing provided with a number of membranes, and at least one inlet for said fluid medium to be separated sent to a device And at least one outlet for the permeate delivered from the device and an outlet for the remainder delivered, the membrane allowing the permeate to collect in the interior space of the membrane to flow out In a method that is formed as a membrane cushion having an opening region for
In a membrane stack, the method is characterized in that each subset of the collection of membranes of different separation ranges is driven with a different preset pressure of the separated fluid medium.   The method of claim 1, wherein a pre-settable subset of the membrane set of the membrane stack is driven at various pressures of the separated media. A method for filtering and separating a fluid medium by means of a membrane, comprising a substantially compact housing provided with a number of membranes, and at least one inlet for said fluid medium to be separated sent to a device And at least one outlet for the permeate delivered from the device and an outlet for the remainder delivered, the membrane for allowing the permeate to collect in the inner space of the membrane to flow out. In a method that is formed as a membrane cushion having an opening region of
The membrane stack is characterized in that each subset of the membrane set of different separation ranges is driven on a permeate side of the separated fluid medium, each with a preset different vacuum. how to.   4. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that a pre-settable subset of the set of the membranes of the membrane stack is supplied with vacuums of different heights with respect to the separated media.   Supplying at least one first pre-settable subset of the set of membranes of the membrane stack to a vacuum having a different height with respect to the separated medium, and at least of the set of the membranes 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein different pressures are applied to one second presettable subset with respect to the medium to be separated. A device (10) for filtering and separating a fluid medium (11) by means of a membrane (13), a substantially consolidated housing (14) provided with a number of membranes (13), said device At least one inlet (15) for the separated fluid medium (11) sent to (10) and at least one outlet (16) for the permeate (18) delivered from the device (10) And an outlet (17) for the remainder (19) to be sent out, the membrane (13) for letting out the permeate (18) that collects in the inner space (137) of the membrane. In the apparatus formed as a membrane cushion having an opening region of the above, that is, a permeate discharge opening (131),
Apparatus wherein each subset of the set of membranes (13) forming a membrane stack (12) is formed for a different separation range with respect to the separated fluid medium.   The device according to claim 6, wherein the membrane stack (12) is formed as a multi-layered spiral (20).   The inner space (137) of the membrane cushion (13) is provided with at least one intermediate element (135) between a plurality of material selective membrane elements (133, 134). The device described in 1.   Device according to claim 8, wherein the intermediate element (135) formed in a substantially planar shape has different thicknesses (139) selectable according to the separation range of the membrane cushion (13).   A plurality of spacing elements (23) are provided between the plurality of membrane cushions (13) forming the membrane stack (12), and the separated fluid medium (11) passes through the spacing elements. 10. A device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that it can flow substantially smoothly.   The substantially planar spacing element (23) has a different thickness (232) selectable according to the separation range of at least the plurality of membrane cushions (13) adjacent on both sides. The apparatus of claim 10.   The plurality of membrane cushions (13) forming the membrane stack (12) are wound around the permeate discharge / collection means (11) penetrating the device (10) as a spiral (22). The opening region (136) of the membrane cushion (13) is connected to a corresponding permeate discharge opening (210) of the permeate discharge / collection means (21). The apparatus according to claim 1.   The membrane stack (12) formed as a spiral (22) is wound around the surface of a separate tube element (27), and the permeate discharging and collecting means is placed in the inner hole (210) of the tube element. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that (21) is accommodated.   The membrane stack (12) is formed by a number of spacing elements (23) and membrane cushions (13) which are alternately stacked and formed in a disk shape. The apparatus according to claim 1.   15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that at least one surface (28, 29) is provided with a plurality of protrusions (30) projecting from said surface (28, 29).   Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the functional thickness (232) of the spacing element (23) is defined by the height (31) of the protrusion (30).   The spacing element (23) has at least one outer, peripheral edge (32, 33), which protrudes from the surface (28, 29), respectively, The device according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the functional thickness (232) of the element (23) is defined by the height (34) of the edge (32, 33).

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