JPH08967A - Hollow fiber membrane module - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve separation properties when a fluid to be treated is introduced to the outside of a hollow fiber membrane. CONSTITUTION:In a hollow fiber membrane module 1 wherein a bundle of a number of hollow fiber membranes 2 is stored in a case 3 and under a condition where the terminal end of each hollow fiber membrane is opened at the opening end part of the case 3, gaps among hollow fiber membranes 2 and gaps among the hollow fiber membranes 2 and the case 3 are sealed and fixed with a sealing material 4, a packing 30 is provided between the bundle 2A of the hollow fiber membranes and the case 3 for increasing density of the bundle 2A of the hollow fiber membranes.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hollow fiber membrane module used in, for example, water purifiers, industrial filtration systems and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a hollow fiber membrane module as shown in FIG. 5, for example. That is,
In this hollow fiber membrane module 100, a large number of hollow fiber membranes 102 are inserted into a cylindrical case 101 with both ends open,
Both ends of each hollow fiber membrane 102 are provided at both open end portions of the case 101, and a gap between the hollow fiber membranes 102 and each hollow fiber membrane 1 are formed.
02 and the case 101 are filled with a potting agent 103, sealed and fixed, and the ends thereof are cut, and both ends of each hollow fiber membrane 102 are opened to open the hollow fiber membrane end face 104.
Is formed.

The case 101 has a sealing fixing portion 10 at both ends.
The inflow / outflow ports 106 are provided in the vicinity of the inner side of the shaft 5 in the axial direction.

The operation of the hollow fiber membrane module 100 is as follows.

One end of the hollow fiber membrane opening end surface 10 is treated with the fluid to be treated.
4 to the inside (hollow part) of the hollow fiber membrane 102 and flow to the other hollow fiber membrane opening end surface 104. At that time, the fluid to be treated is filtered by flowing from the inside of the hollow fiber membrane 102 to the outside through the membrane wall, and the filtered permeated fluid is flown out through the inflow / outflow port 106 of the case 101.

[0006]

By the way, as a method of introducing the fluid to be treated into the hollow fiber membrane module 100, the method of introducing the fluid into the hollow fiber membrane 102 (hollow portion) and the hollow fiber membrane as described above. Method 2 of introducing into the outside of 102
However, in order to improve the separation performance, the method of introducing into the outside of the hollow fiber membrane 102 is preferable because the area of the membrane contributing to the separation can be made larger (the outer surface area is larger than the inner surface area of the hollow fiber membrane 102). It is advantageous.

However, when a separation test was carried out by using both hollow fiber membrane modules that were not actually devised, the result was that the conventional hollow fiber membrane was introduced inside. However, there was a problem that the separation performance was good, and the method of introducing into the outside of the hollow fiber membrane was worse.

This is because in the conventional method of introducing into the hollow fiber membrane 102, the hollow fiber membrane 102 surely flows through a narrow and narrow channel in the hollow portion, whereas the hollow fiber membrane 102 is introduced into the hollow fiber membrane outside. In the method of introduction, the conventional hollow fiber membrane module 100 will be described. The hollow fiber membrane 102 flows through an unrestricted flow path between the hollow fiber membranes 102, and the hollow fiber membranes 102 are not crushed or damaged. Even if the hollow fiber membrane bundle 102A is packed extremely densely in the case 101 at a level that does not cause defective potting, the membrane packing ratio (ratio of the area occupied by the bundle of the hollow fiber membranes 102 and the cross-sectional area of the inner diameter of the case 101). ) Is 60% at maximum, but even in the case of 60%, since there are many remaining spaces, an undesired part inevitably becomes partially sparse in the hollow fiber membrane bundle 102A, and its flow Road The fluid to be treated is concentrated in a sparse area where the value is small, and the fluid to be treated that has flowed in from one inflow / outflow port 106 without making a uniform contact with the entire hollow fiber membrane 102 has the other inflow / outflow port 106. And the separation performance was poor.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. The purpose of the present invention is to improve the separation performance when introducing the fluid to be treated to the outside of the hollow fiber membrane. It is to provide a yarn membrane module.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a bundle of a large number of hollow fiber membranes is housed in a case, and each hollow fiber membrane is placed at the open end of the case. In the hollow fiber membrane module in which the gaps between the hollow fiber membranes and the gaps between the hollow fiber membranes and the case are sealed and fixed with a sealing material in a state where the ends of the hollow fiber membranes are opened, And a padding for increasing the density of the hollow fiber membrane bundle.

The filling material may be only a filling member filled between the hollow fiber membrane bundle and the case.

The padding may be composed of a flexible surrounding member surrounding the hollow fiber membrane bundle and an enclosing member enclosed between the surrounding member and the case. It may be composed of a flexible surrounding member for surrounding, an enclosing member enclosed between the surrounding member and the case, and a filling member filled between the surrounding member and the hollow fiber membrane bundle.

[0013]

In the hollow fiber membrane module having the above structure, since the space between the hollow fiber membrane bundle and the case is filled, the overall density of the hollow fiber membrane bundle can be increased. There is no sparse part in the interval. That is, the gap between the hollow fiber membranes is reduced. As a result, when the fluid to be treated is introduced to the outside of the hollow fiber membranes, the resistance of the fluid to be treated flowing between the hollow fiber membranes increases, so that the fluid easily flows from the outside of the hollow fiber membranes to the inside through the membrane wall. . As a result, the separation performance is improved.

Further, the packing is composed of the filling member, the flexible surrounding member and the enclosing member, the flexible surrounding member, the enclosing member and the filling member, so that the density of the hollow fiber membrane bundle becomes too dense. Without this, it becomes possible to appropriately maintain the gap between the hollow fiber membranes. That is, since the hollow fiber membranes do not come into contact with each other to form a membrane surface that does not contribute to the separation,
The separation performance can be further improved.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. In FIG. 1 showing a hollow fiber membrane module according to an embodiment of the present invention, reference numeral 1 denotes the entire hollow fiber membrane module. In this embodiment, both ends of a hollow fiber membrane 2 are sealed and fixed (potting). Then, the fluid to be treated is fed into the hollow fiber membrane 2
It has a cross-flow type configuration in which it is introduced to the outside of and separated (filtered) into a permeated fluid. The reason why the fluid to be treated is introduced to the outside of the hollow fiber membrane 2 is to make the membrane area contributing to the separation of the fluid to be treated large (the outer surface area is larger than the inner surface area of the hollow fiber membrane 2).

The hollow fiber membrane module 1 has a schematic structure in which a bundle of a large number of hollow fiber membranes 2 is housed in a case 3, and both ends of each hollow fiber membrane 2 are provided at both open ends of the case 3. It is potted with a potting agent 4 as a sealing material in the opened state, and a filling 30 is provided between the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2A and the case 3 in order to increase the density of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2A.
This padding 30 roughly includes a flexible surrounding member 5 that surrounds the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2A, an encapsulating member 6 that is enclosed between the surrounding member 5 and the case 3, and between the enclosing member 5 and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2A. And a filling member 7 to be filled in.

The manufacturing method will be described in detail below.

The case 3 is a tubular member whose both ends are open.
The hollow fiber membrane bundle 2A is potted at both open ends. An inlet hole 9 for allowing the fluid to be processed to flow into the case 3 is provided in the peripheral wall of the case 3 in the vicinity of the inner side of the one potting portion 8 in the axial direction, and in the inner side of the other potting portion 8 ′ in the axial direction. In the vicinity, an outlet hole 10 is provided for letting out the permeated fluid that has not been separated by the hollow fiber membrane 2.

Further, the peripheral wall of the case 3 has through holes 11, 11 penetrating in radial directions at three positions (the number can be changed appropriately depending on the specifications, etc.) at predetermined intervals in the axial direction. ',
12 are formed, and each through hole 11, 11 ′, 1
At least one 2 is provided in the circumferential direction.

The through holes 11 and 11 ′ are located in the vicinity of the inner side of the potting portions 8 and 8 ′ in the axial direction, and serve as filling member holes for filling the filling member 7 into the case 3. Further, the through hole 12 is located substantially at the center in the axial direction, and the case 3
It is an enclosing member hole for enclosing the enclosing member 6 therein. Then, each of the through holes 11, 11 ′, 12 is filled with the filling member 7 and the sealing member 6, and then closed by the plug body 13 in a sealed state.

The through hole 1 is formed on the inner circumference of the case 3.
A flexible surrounding member 5 having a desired length is provided at a position between 1 and 11 '. The surrounding member 5 has an adhesive (urethane-based or epoxy-based resin adhesive) 14 inside the axial through-holes 11 and 11 'with respect to the inner circumferential surface of the case 3 over the entire circumference at both ends in the axial direction. It is glued.

A mesh member 15 is provided at the inner peripheral side opening of the case 3 of the inlet hole 9 and the outlet hole 10. The mesh member 15 is adhered to the periphery of the inner peripheral side opening of the case 3 of the inlet hole 9 and the outlet hole 10 with an adhesive 14.

The hollow fiber membrane bundle 2A is inserted into the inner periphery of the enclosing member 5 of the case 3 thus constructed, and the potting agent (urethane-based or epoxy-based resin adhesive) 4 is opened in both cases of the case 3. The end portions are filled with the gaps between the hollow fiber membranes 2 and the gaps between the hollow fiber membranes 2 and the case 3 for potting. Both sides of the potting portions 8 and 8'are cut to form hollow fiber membrane opening end faces 16 and 16 '.

Thereafter, a predetermined amount of the enclosing member 6 and the filling member 7
Is filled from each through hole 12, 11, 11 ′, and after filling, each through hole 11, 11 ′ 12 is sealed with a plug body 13. At this time, the enclosing member 6 is enclosed between the enclosing member 5 and the case 3,
The filling member 7 is filled between the surrounding member 5 and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2A and up to the axially inner end surfaces of the potting portions 8 and 8 '. The encapsulating member 6, the filling member 7, and the enclosing member 5 form a padding 30, and the padding is formed between the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2A and the case 3.

The materials of the above-mentioned constituent members will be described below. Of course, the material is not limited to the following, but may be appropriately changed depending on the usage environment, specifications, and the like.

The surrounding member 5 is preferably a flexible resin film material, and a polyester film is used in this embodiment. The sealing member 6 is preferably a fluid such as air or water or a resin foaming agent, and water is used in this embodiment. The filling member 7 is preferably a bead-shaped (spherical) particle, and glass beads are used in this embodiment. The mesh member 15 is
In this embodiment, a stainless mesh is used.

On the other hand, both ends of the case 3 have the adapter member 1
It is closed by 7, 17 '.

The adapter members 17, 17 'are attached to the side end portions of the case 3, and the connecting projections for connecting pipes and the like project to the outer center portions thereof, and the permeation from the hollow fiber membrane opening end faces 16, 16' is performed. The outlet holes 19 and 19 'for the outflow of the fluid are formed. The fitting portions of the adapter members 17, 17 'and the case 3 are sealed by O-rings 20, 20.

Next, the operation of the hollow fiber membrane module 1 having the above structure will be described.

The fluid to be treated flows into the case 3 from the inlet hole 9 of the case 3 through the mesh member 15. And
The fluid to be treated that has flowed in is introduced to the outside of each hollow fiber membrane 2 of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2A through the gap between the filling members 7 for each glass bead. The introduced fluid to be treated flows inside (hollow portion) through the membrane wall of the hollow fiber membrane 2. At this time, the fluid to be treated is filtered (separated), and the filtered permeated fluid flows to the hollow fiber membrane opening end faces 16 and 16 ′, and the adapter member 1
It is discharged via the outlet holes 19, 19 'of 7, 17'.
On the other hand, the impermeable fluid that has not been filtered is discharged through the outlet hole 10 of the case 3.

In the hollow fiber membrane module having the above structure, the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2A and the case 3 are provided with the padding 30 composed of the enclosing member 6, the enclosing member 5, and the filling member 7, so that the hollow fiber membrane bundle is formed. The overall density of 2A is higher.

Therefore, a comparison is made with the case without the padding 30.

When the filling 30 is not provided, for example, when the hollow fiber membranes 2 are packed in the case 3 extremely densely at a level where the hollow fiber membranes 2 are not crushed or damaged and potting failure does not occur. The ratio (ratio between the cross-sectional area of the hollow fiber membrane 2 occupied by the bundle and the cross-sectional area of the inner diameter of the case 3) is 60% at maximum.
Becomes When the membrane filling rate is 60%, the cross section not occupied by the hollow fiber membrane 2 is present as a gap of 40%. 40% if the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2A is stiff
The minute gap (sparse part) becomes visible. As a result, the fluid to be processed is concentrated in the sparse portion having a small flow path resistance and is hardly separated.

On the other hand, by filling the space 30 between the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2A and the case 3 as in the present embodiment, the gap of 40% can be reduced and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2A can be reduced. Since the warping can be eliminated, the density of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2A becomes high as a whole (the gap between the hollow fiber membranes 2 is small), and there is no portion that becomes sparse between the hollow fiber membranes 2. As a result, the fluid to be treated is transferred to each hollow fiber membrane 2
The resistance flowing between the two becomes large, and the fluid to be treated is the hollow fiber membrane 2
It becomes easy to flow from the outside to the inside. As a result, the separation performance is improved.

Further, tentatively, the hollow fiber membrane 2 formed by the surrounding member 5
The hollow fiber membranes 2 adjacent to each other are not properly bundled.
Even if there are variations in the intervals and there are sparse parts,
Since the glass bead filling member 7 is filled between the surrounding member 5 and the hollow fiber membrane 2A, when the fluid to be treated flows through the filling member 7, the fluid to be treated flows to a sparse portion having a small flow path resistance. It will be easier. At this time, the filling member 7 flows into the sparse portion along with the flow of the fluid to be processed, and the filling member 7 intervenes in the sparse portion (the filling member 7 is formed of beads as in the present embodiment in order to facilitate the inflow. It is preferable that the shape is spherical. On the other hand, the filling member 7 hardly intervenes in the portion of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2A that is too dense.

In this way, the density of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2A and the gathering of the filling members 7 are proportional to each other, and as a whole,
The flow path resistance of the fluid to be processed is averaged. As a result, the flow of the fluid to be treated flowing between the hollow fiber membranes 2 becomes uniform, and the separation performance is stabilized.

According to this function and effect, as shown in FIG. 2, even in the hollow fiber membrane module 1 ′ having only the filling member 7 as the filling material 30, the packing member 7 can be made dense and dense with respect to the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2 A.
And the separation performance can be improved by the above action. Further, since the filling 30 is only the filling member 7, the device structure is simpler than that of the above-described embodiment, the manufacturing is facilitated, and the cost can be reduced. Since the other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components in the drawings, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Further, in this embodiment, the filling 30 is composed of an enclosing member 5 of a polyester film as a flexible resin film material, an enclosing member 6 of water, and a filling member 7 of glass beads. There is. According to this configuration, since the flexible surrounding member 5 surrounds the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2A over substantially the entire length, and the enclosing member 6 on the outer side is water (fluid), the pressure thereof is flexible. 5 and the filling member 7 act on the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2A uniformly and appropriately over substantially the entire length. As a result, it becomes possible to appropriately maintain the gaps between the hollow fiber membranes 2 without eliminating the sparse portion of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2A and without making the density too dense. That is, since the hollow fiber membranes 2 do not come into contact with each other to form a membrane surface that does not contribute to the separation, it is possible to further improve the separation performance.

According to this function and effect, although not shown, the padding 30 can be similarly applied even if the padding member 7 is made up of the flexible enclosing member 5 and the enclosing member 6. In this case, since there is no filling member 7, when the fluid to be treated has a high pressure, the gaps between the hollow fiber membranes 2 are slightly widened,
This may cause a slight decrease in separation efficiency. However, since the filling member 7 is not provided, the device structure is simpler than that of the above-described embodiment, the manufacturing is easy, and the cost can be reduced.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the structure on the right side in FIG. 1 is modified from the above embodiment, and the fluid to be treated is introduced to the outside of the hollow fiber membrane 2 via the inner tube 21. The same components as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals, and similar components will be designated by "A" after the reference.

The case 3A does not have the inlet hole 9 for allowing the fluid to be processed to flow into the case 3A, and the inner pipe 21 is provided at the substantially central portion of the opening end of the case 3A.

One opening end of the inner tube 21 is closed by the potting agent 4 or the like, and the closed portion 22 is located inside the case 3A, and is arranged substantially at the center of the opening end of the case 3A. In this state, the potting agent 4 is bonded and fixed to the open end of the case 3A. At this time, the inner tube 21 side end of each hollow fiber membrane 2 of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 2A is potted to the open end of the case 3A on the outer peripheral side of the inner tube 21. The terminal is closed.

To the inner side of the potting portion 8 of the inner tube 21 in the axial direction, the fluid to be treated introduced into the inner tube 21 flows into the case 3A, that is, outside the hollow fiber membrane 2. 9A of the inlet holes are provided at the top and the bottom when viewed in cross section in the figure. The inlet hole 9A is provided so as to pass through the peripheral wall of the inner pipe 21 in the radial direction, and the mesh member 15 is provided at the outer peripheral side opening thereof. The mesh member 15 is adhered to the peripheral edge of the outer peripheral side opening of the inlet hole 9A with an adhesive 14.

The case 3 in which the inner pipe 21 is arranged
The end of A is closed by the adapter member 17A. The adapter member 17A is worn on the side end portion of the case 3A, and at the inner center portion thereof, a cylindrical projection 23, the tip of which fits fluid-tightly with the inner circumference of the inner pipe 21, is projected, and further at the outer center portion. A connecting projection 24 to which a pipe or the like is attached is projected to form an inflow port 25 for inflowing the fluid to be processed. Then, the case 3A and the adapter member 17A
The fitting portion between and is sealed by the O-ring 20, and the fitting portion between the inner tube 21 and the cylindrical projection 23 is sealed by the O-ring 20A.

Thus, the fluid to be treated flows into the inner pipe 21 through the inflow port 25, is introduced from the inlet hole 9A of the inner pipe 21 through the mesh member 15 to the outside of the hollow fiber membrane 2, and the hollow fiber The permeated fluid filtered by the membrane 2 flows to the hollow fiber membrane opening end surface 16 ′ and flows out through the outlet hole 19 ′ of the adapter member 17 ′. On the other hand, the impermeable fluid that has not been filtered is discharged through the outlet hole 10 of the case 3A.

In the present embodiment, the other constructions and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

Of course, even in the case of the type in which the fluid to be treated is guided to the outside of the hollow fiber membrane 2 through the inner pipe 21, as shown in FIG. 4, another mode of the padding 30 of the first embodiment. Hollow fiber membrane module 1 with only the filling member 7 shown as
It may be A '. The operation and the like are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. Further, since other configurations and operations are the same as those in the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components in the drawings, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned fluid to be treated is guided to the outside of the hollow fiber membrane 2 through the inner tube 21, and the padding 30 (not shown) is used as the flexible surrounding member 5 without using the filling member 7. It may be composed of the enclosing member 6. In this case, since the filling member 7 is not provided, when the fluid to be processed has a high pressure,
The gap between the hollow fiber membranes 2 may be slightly widened, which may slightly lower the separation efficiency. However, since the filling member 7 is not provided, the device structure is simpler than that of the above-described embodiment, the manufacturing is easy, and the cost can be reduced.

As a result of conducting a comparative test of separation performance using the hollow fiber membrane modules of the first and second embodiments, as compared with the conventional example in which the fluid to be treated is introduced inside the hollow fiber membrane, It was possible to improve the separation performance by the method of introducing into.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the cross-flow type module has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a full-volume filtration type module can be similarly applied.

[0051]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention has the above-mentioned configuration and action, and since the case of the hollow fiber membrane bundle is filled, the density of the hollow fiber membrane bundle can be increased as a whole.
It is possible to eliminate a portion that becomes sparse between the hollow fiber membranes. That is, the gap between the hollow fiber membranes is reduced. As a result, when the fluid to be treated is introduced to the outside of the hollow fiber membranes, the resistance of the fluid to be treated flowing between the hollow fiber membranes increases,
The fluid easily flows from the outside to the inside of the hollow fiber membrane. As a result, the separation performance is improved.

Further, the packing is composed of the filling member, the flexible surrounding member and the enclosing member, the flexible surrounding member, the enclosing member and the filling member, so that the density of the hollow fiber membrane bundle becomes too dense. Without this, it becomes possible to appropriately maintain the gap between the hollow fiber membranes. That is, since the hollow fiber membranes do not come into contact with each other to form a membrane surface that does not contribute to the separation, it is possible to further improve the separation performance.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a hollow fiber membrane module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hollow fiber membrane module in which the filling is the only filling member in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a hollow fiber membrane module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hollow fiber membrane module in which the filling is the only filling member in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional hollow fiber membrane module.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1 ′, 1A, 1A ′ Hollow fiber membrane module 2 Hollow fiber membrane 2A Hollow fiber membrane bundle 3, 3A Case 4 Potting agent (sealing material) 5 Enclosing member 6 Encapsulating member 7 Filling member 8, 8 ′ Potting part 9 , 9A inlet hole 10, 19, 19 'outlet hole 11, 11', 12 through hole 13 plug body 14 adhesive 15 mesh member 16, 16 'hollow fiber membrane opening end face 17, 17', 17A adapter member 20, 20A O Ring 21 Inner tube 22 Closure portion 23 Cylindrical projection 24 Connection projection 25 Inflow port 30 Filling

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A gap between hollow fiber membranes and hollow fibers in a state where a bundle of a large number of hollow fiber membranes is housed in a case and the end of each hollow fiber membrane is opened at the opening end of the case. A hollow fiber membrane module in which a gap between a membrane and a case is sealed and fixed with a sealing material, wherein a packing is provided between the hollow fiber membrane bundle and the case to increase the density of the hollow fiber membrane bundle. Hollow fiber membrane module. 2. The hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 1, wherein the filling is a filling member filled between the hollow fiber membrane bundle and the case. 3. The hollow according to claim 1, wherein the stuffing includes a flexible surrounding member that surrounds the hollow fiber membrane bundle, and an enclosing member that is enclosed between the enclosing member and the case. Thread film module. 4. The filling material is filled between a flexible surrounding member that surrounds the hollow fiber membrane bundle, an enclosing member that is enclosed between the surrounding member and the case, and a space between the surrounding member and the hollow fiber membrane bundle. The hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 1, comprising a filling member.