JP2992087B2 - Manufacturing method of filtration module - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is used in, for example, purification of tap water and various industrial filtration applications. More specifically, an assembly of a large number of hollow fiber membranes is used at an external pressure for a liquid filtration treatment. a manufacturing method of the made is to have filtration module to.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of filtration module, a large number of hollow fiber membranes are bent into a substantially U shape, and both ends thereof are fixed to each other with a thermosetting resin. Both ends of the hollow fiber membrane are respectively opened, and the central part of each hollow fiber membrane is formed in a loop, so-called loop type. One end of a large number of hollow fiber membranes is fixed with a thermosetting resin and opened. Along with
A so-called end-free type in which the other end of each hollow fiber membrane is sealed one by one with a thermosetting resin, one end of a large number of hollow fiber membranes is fixed with a thermosetting resin and opened. At the same time, the other end of each hollow fiber membrane is collectively sealed and fixed with a thermosetting resin. In addition, there are a total of four types in which both ends are opened and both ends are normally used for internal pressure circulating filtration and are used at an external pressure.

[0003]

Among the above four types of filtration modules, the loop type one cannot make the radius of curvature of the bent portion too small in view of the thickness and strength of the hollow fiber membrane. In addition, since the effective film area per unit volume cannot be made sufficiently large, and the pressure resistance of the bent portion is lower than the pressure resistance of the straight portion, the working pressure is limited.

Further, in the end-free type, since the other ends of a large number of hollow fiber membranes move freely one by one, the hollow fiber membranes are separated by the flow of the liquid to be treated during filtration. The hollow fiber membrane is entangled, whereby the hollow fiber membrane is cut, or a twisting force acts on one end side of the hollow fiber membrane fixed with the thermosetting resin, whereby the hollow fiber membrane is easily broken, and the productivity is low.

[0005] In the batch sealing type, a phenomenon in which the thermosetting resin liquid is sucked into the inside of the hollow fiber membrane during the process of simultaneously sealing the other end of each hollow fiber membrane with a thermosetting resin is used. Inevitable. That is, in this batch sealing type, the other ends of a number of hollow fiber membranes are immersed in a molten thermosetting resin liquid, and the immersion solidifies the resin portion impregnated at the other ends of the hollow fiber membranes. At this time, the resin liquid is sucked up by capillary action inside the thin hollow fiber membrane,
The end portion of the hollow fiber membrane having a length of up to 10 mm is covered with the thermosetting resin and becomes a non-filterable portion. As a result, the effective membrane area is reduced, which is a significant problem, especially when manufacturing short filtration modules. Even if a large number of hollow fiber membranes are used and bundled to produce a filtration module having a large total surface area, the inside of the bundle, particularly the surface of the hollow fiber membrane located at the center, can be fully utilized. However, the filtration efficiency was low for the number of hollow fiber membranes used.

Further, in the case of using a double-end open type for internal pressure circulating filtration at an external pressure, the one end of the hollow fiber membrane, that is, the opening on the side from which the liquid to be treated is not taken out, can withstand the external pressure. The filter must be sealed, and for that purpose, a large cover is required, and the size of the entire filtering device is easily increased, which is not preferable in practical use.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can be used without increasing the size of a filtration device or cutting or breaking a hollow fiber membrane even under a high pressure, and has an effective membrane area. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing a filtration module that can be manufactured with high productivity by simplifying a filtration module that can be sufficiently large to improve filtration efficiency.

[0008]

[0009]

[MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS] To achieve the above object
The method for producing a filtration module according to the present invention is characterized in that one end of a large number of hollow fiber membranes is immersed in a thermosetting resin liquid, and the liquid is taken out and cured while the fluidity of the liquid is sufficient. While dividing one end into a plurality of blocks fixed with a thermosetting resin, providing a gap between each block, plugging the other end of each hollow fiber membrane, fixing the other end with an adhesive, The other end of the hollow fiber membrane is opened by cutting a portion near the other end of the bonding portion and removing it along with the plugging portion.

[0010]

[0011]

According to the present invention, one end of a large number of hollow fiber membranes is immersed in a thermosetting resin liquid and taken out and cured while the fluidity of the resin liquid is sufficient. The resin liquid that has entered and the resin liquid between the hollow fiber membranes are hardened while penetrating into the thick part of the hollow fiber membrane. At this time, the space between the hollow fiber membranes is volumetrically smaller than the inside of the hollow fiber membrane, the amount of resin liquid retained therein is small, and the outer peripheral surface area of the hollow fiber membrane is larger than the inner peripheral surface area. Since the amount of resin liquid permeating the thick part is large, the resin liquid between some of the hollow fiber membranes decreases or disappears, and one end is divided into a plurality of blocks fixed with a thermosetting resin, A gap can be formed between the blocks. Also,
After taking out from the thermosetting resin liquid, by applying an external pressure to the impregnated portion of the resin liquid as needed, it is possible to promote block formation and easily form a gap between the divided blocks.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of a filtration module according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a polysulfone hollow fiber membrane, which is bundled in a columnar shape and loaded in a cylindrical container 9. One end of the large number of hollow fiber membranes 1 is connected to a plurality of blocks 2A, 2B, 2B as shown in FIG.
, 2N, and each block 2A, 2B, 2C,
2N are fixed by the thermosetting resin 3, and gaps 4A, 4B, 4C,... 4N are formed between the blocks 2A, 2B, 2C,.

On the other hand, the other ends of the multiple hollow fiber membranes 1
As shown in FIG. 3, an opening 1a is provided, and the other ends thereof are fixed to each other by a thermosetting resin 6 serving as an adhesive. The hollow fiber membrane 1 used here may be a commercially available one, and the thermosetting resins 3 and 6
May also be a commercially available material, and the material may be selected according to the purpose of use of the filtration module. For example,
When the use temperature of the filtration module is 70 ° C, use a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin that can withstand 70 ° C. When the filtration module is used for purifying drinking water, use a thermosetting resin such as a polyurethane resin. Should be selected as the material.

Next, a method of manufacturing the filtration module having the above-described configuration will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 4, the hollow fiber membrane 1 is made into a bundle shape, and both ends are stopped by rubber bands 7, 7 and both end faces are trimmed.
Prepare A. On the other hand, a container 8 containing a thermosetting resin liquid 3A at least partially hardened at room temperature to lose fluidity.
Is prepared, and one end of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 1A is immersed in the thermosetting resin liquid 3A in the container 8, so that one end side of each hollow fiber membrane 1 is impregnated with the resin liquid 3A.

Next, the resin liquid 3A filled at one end of the hollow fiber membrane 1 is taken out while the fluidity of the resin liquid 3A is sufficient.
Place the camera in the horizontal position as shown in Fig. In this case, FIG.
As shown in (1), the resin liquid 3A inside and outside the hollow fiber membrane 1 gradually penetrates into the thick portion 1b of the hollow fiber membrane 1. At this time, the space between the hollow fiber membranes 1 and 1 is smaller in volume than the inside of the hollow fiber membrane 1, the amount of the resin liquid 3A retained therein is small, and the outer peripheral surface area of the hollow fiber membrane 1 is small. Since the resin liquid 3A is larger than the inner peripheral surface area and has a large amount of permeation into the thick portion 1b, the resin liquid 3A between some of the hollow fiber membranes 1 and 1 decreases or disappears. Then, after waiting until the fluidity of the resin liquid 3A almost disappears at room temperature, an external force is applied to the resin liquid-impregnated portion on one end side of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 1A as necessary, for example, by rubbing with a finger. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the portion which is collectively hardened by the thermosetting resin 3 is divided into a plurality of blocks 2A, 2B, 2C,... 2N, and the divided blocks 2A, 2B, The gaps 4A, 4B, 4C,... 4N are generated between 2C,. One end of each hollow fiber membrane 1 remains sealed with the thermosetting resin 3.

Next, the other end of each hollow fiber membrane 1 on the other end side of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 1A in which one end of each hollow fiber membrane 1 is sealed is filled with filler 11 with a filler, and FIG. As shown in the drawing, the container 9 and the pot 10 are loaded into the cylindrical container 9 and the bonding pot 10, and the container 9 and the pot 10 are rotated at high speed around the axis a in FIG. A certain thermosetting resin liquid 6A is injected into the cylindrical container 9 and the pot 10, and the other ends of the hollow fiber membranes 1 are fixed with the thermosetting resin 6.

Then, after releasing the mold and performing post cure, as shown in FIG. 8, the unnecessary portion due to the centrifugal bonding is cut and removed together with the clogging portion 11, as shown in FIG. The other end of each hollow fiber membrane 1 has an opening 1a.
To obtain a filtered module.

Comparing the filtration performance of the filtration module shown in the above embodiment with that of the conventional batch sealing type filtration module, the results shown in FIG. 10 were obtained. In the same figure, A shows the filtration speed / cumulative filtration amount of the filtration module shown in the above embodiment, and B shows the filtration speed / cumulative filtration amount of the conventional batch sealing type filtration module. It can be seen that the filtration performance of the filtration module of the embodiment is superior to that of the batch sealing type.

The thermosetting resin 3 used in the above embodiment has a viscosity of 100 cps to 50,0.
Those in the range of 00 cps are preferred. 50,000
When the viscosity is not less than cps, the clogging (sealing) at one end of the hollow fiber membrane 1 is likely to be incomplete, and the resin liquid 3A between the hollow fiber membranes 1 and 1 in FIG. It is difficult to divide the block because it is difficult. In the case of a viscosity of 100 cps or less, most of the resin liquid 3A that seals the inside of the hollow fiber membrane 1 penetrates into the thick portion 1b by capillary action, so that the sealing at one end of the hollow fiber membrane 1 is incomplete. Easy to be.

After taking out the hollow fiber membrane 1 in a state where one end of the hollow fiber membrane 1 is filled with the resin liquid 3A, the hollow fiber membrane bundle 1A is placed in a horizontal position as shown in FIG. 5 until the fluidity of the resin liquid 3A is lost. By placing, compared to the case where the resin liquid 3A is left standing in the standing posture, the dripping of the resin liquid 3A due to gravity can be suppressed, and the seal at one end of each hollow fiber membrane 1 can be secured. Further, when the thermosetting resin liquid 3A loses the fluidity to a certain degree or more, a gap is formed in the part that is collectively sealed by applying an external force such as a rubbing force with a finger to one end of the hollow fiber membrane 1. Then, a plurality of blocks 2A, 2
The separation of B, 2C,... 2N can be ensured, but the viscosity is 1,
When the thermosetting resin 3 in the range of 000 cps to 20,000 cps is used, the hollow fiber membrane 1 can be appropriately penetrated into the thick portion without any external force, as shown in FIG. Then, the resin liquid 3A between some of the hollow fiber membranes 1 and 1 disappears, and the block is naturally divided.

Hereinafter, the results of an experiment performed by the present inventors on a filtration module actually manufactured on a trial basis will be described. 2000 hollow polysulfone hollow fiber membranes having an inner diameter of 450 μm and an outer diameter of 570 μm were bundled, lightly bound with a rubber band, cut with a knife, and a hollow fiber bundle having one end aligned and opened was prepared.
At the same time, a thermosetting polyurethane resin (a mixture of Coronate 4402 manufactured by Nippon Polyurethane Co., Ltd. and Nipporan 4221) was mixed with a mixer and received in a petri dish. Five minutes after mixing, the opening 3 mm of the hollow fiber bundle is immersed in the resin for 3 seconds, filled with the resin in the hollow fiber, taken out, and placed horizontally. Resin mixture 30
After a minute, the portion where the resin adheres is removed with a fingertip, a gap is provided between the hollow fiber bundles, and after 2 hours, post-curing is performed at 50 ° C., and one end is divided into small blocks, and there is a gap between them. To obtain a bundle of hollow fibers sealed in a lump. The length of the part sealed with the thermosetting polyurethane was 3 mm on average. The other end of the hollow fiber bundle is plugged with a filler, charged into a container having an inner diameter of 35 mm and an adhesive pot, centrifugally bonded using a thermosetting polyurethane, and centrifuged after release and post cure. By cutting off the unnecessary part of the bonding part, the film area is 0.35 m ² and the length is 12 c.
m of filtration modules were obtained. This filter module is 7k
As a result of a pressurization test at g / cm ² for 24 hours, it was found that no leak occurred and the product was sufficiently practical.

[0022]

[0023]

As described above , according to the present invention, a very simple method of taking out and curing a thermosetting resin liquid which has entered one end of a hollow fiber membrane by immersion while the fluidity is sufficient is provided. Utilizing the difference in the amount of resin liquid between hollow fiber membranes and the amount of resin liquid permeating into the thick part inside the hollow fiber membrane,
While securing the seal inside one end of the hollow fiber membrane, the collective seal portion can be divided into a plurality of blocks, and a gap can be formed between the blocks. Thereby, a filtration module having a large effective membrane area and high filtration efficiency can be manufactured with high productivity.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional side view of a filtration module of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of one end of a filtration module.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged rear view of the other end of the filtration module.

FIG. 4 shows a process of manufacturing the filtration module of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the immersion process of the one end of a hollow fiber membrane bundle in a thermosetting resin liquid.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a curing step after immersion in a resin liquid.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing one end of a filtration module.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a centrifugal bonding step.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a cutting step of an unnecessary portion after centrifugal bonding.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view of one end of the manufactured filtration module.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing a comparison of filtration performance between the filtration module of the present invention and a conventional batch sealing type filtration module.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... hollow fiber membrane, 2A, 2B, 2C, ... 2N ... block,
3: thermosetting resin, 4A, 4B, 4C,... 4N: gap,
6: thermosetting resin (adhesive), 11: clogging portion.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B01D 63/02 B01D 63/00 500

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. One end of a large number of hollow fiber membranes is immersed in a thermosetting resin liquid, and is taken out and cured while the fluidity of the liquid is sufficient, so that one end of the hollow fiber membrane is made of a thermosetting resin. After dividing into a plurality of fixed blocks and providing a gap between the blocks, clogging the other end of each hollow fiber membrane, fixing the other ends with an adhesive, and a portion near the other end of the bonding portion A method for producing a filtration module in which the other end of the hollow fiber membrane is opened by cutting and removing together with the clogging portion.