NL2016462B1 - Membrane filtration device and method for minimizing or reducing fouling in such device. - Google Patents
Membrane filtration device and method for minimizing or reducing fouling in such device. Download PDFInfo
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- NL2016462B1 NL2016462B1 NL2016462A NL2016462A NL2016462B1 NL 2016462 B1 NL2016462 B1 NL 2016462B1 NL 2016462 A NL2016462 A NL 2016462A NL 2016462 A NL2016462 A NL 2016462A NL 2016462 B1 NL2016462 B1 NL 2016462B1
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- Prior art keywords
- spacers
- membrane filtration
- feed
- filtration device
- membranes
- Prior art date
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- 238000005374 membrane filtration Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 54
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 33
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 claims abstract description 115
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 47
- 239000012466 permeate Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 29
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 claims description 31
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000012527 feed solution Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 12
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 8
- 238000002474 experimental method Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 8
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 6
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000018109 developmental process Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000004907 flux Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 235000015097 nutrients Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 239000002028 Biomass Substances 0.000 description 3
- HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium hydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[Na+] HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000010146 3D printing Methods 0.000 description 2
- ZKHQWZAMYRWXGA-KQYNXXCUSA-J ATP(4-) Chemical compound C1=NC=2C(N)=NC=NC=2N1[C@@H]1O[C@H](COP([O-])(=O)OP([O-])(=O)OP([O-])([O-])=O)[C@@H](O)[C@H]1O ZKHQWZAMYRWXGA-KQYNXXCUSA-J 0.000 description 2
- ZKHQWZAMYRWXGA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Adenosine triphosphate Natural products C1=NC=2C(N)=NC=NC=2N1C1OC(COP(O)(=O)OP(O)(=O)OP(O)(O)=O)C(O)C1O ZKHQWZAMYRWXGA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910003460 diamond Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010432 diamond Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000020188 drinking water Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000003651 drinking water Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 2
- VWDWKYIASSYTQR-UHFFFAOYSA-N sodium nitrate Chemical compound [Na+].[O-][N+]([O-])=O VWDWKYIASSYTQR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004952 Polyamide Substances 0.000 description 1
- VMHLLURERBWHNL-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium acetate Chemical compound [Na+].CC([O-])=O VMHLLURERBWHNL-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- NJIWVMGUAFXONX-UHFFFAOYSA-J [C+4].CC([O-])=O.CC([O-])=O.CC([O-])=O.CC([O-])=O Chemical compound [C+4].CC([O-])=O.CC([O-])=O.CC([O-])=O.CC([O-])=O NJIWVMGUAFXONX-UHFFFAOYSA-J 0.000 description 1
- 230000002730 additional effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- TTWYZDPBDWHJOR-IDIVVRGQSA-L adenosine triphosphate disodium Chemical compound [Na+].[Na+].C1=NC=2C(N)=NC=NC=2N1[C@@H]1O[C@H](COP(O)(=O)OP(O)(=O)OP([O-])([O-])=O)[C@@H](O)[C@H]1O TTWYZDPBDWHJOR-IDIVVRGQSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 238000004026 adhesive bonding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003638 chemical reducing agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011538 cleaning material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000645 desinfectant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011010 flushing procedure Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003698 laser cutting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000813 microbial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003801 milling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920003229 poly(methyl methacrylate) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000058 polyacrylate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002647 polyamide Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004926 polymethyl methacrylate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002265 prevention Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007790 scraping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000110 selective laser sintering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000001632 sodium acetate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000017281 sodium acetate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- AJPJDKMHJJGVTQ-UHFFFAOYSA-M sodium dihydrogen phosphate Chemical compound [Na+].OP(O)([O-])=O AJPJDKMHJJGVTQ-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 239000004317 sodium nitrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000010344 sodium nitrate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000008399 tap water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000020679 tap water Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000009210 therapy by ultrasound Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D63/00—Apparatus in general for separation processes using semi-permeable membranes
- B01D63/10—Spiral-wound membrane modules
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D2313/00—Details relating to membrane modules or apparatus
- B01D2313/14—Specific spacers
- B01D2313/143—Specific spacers on the feed side
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Separation Using Semi-Permeable Membranes (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention relates to a membrane filtration device and method for reducing biofouling in such membrane filtration device. The device according to the invention comprises: - a feed input; - a number of membranes; - a number of feed spacers and permeate spacers separating adjacent membranes; and - a permeate output and a concentrate output, wherein at least substantially all the feed spacers comprise sinusoidal channels.
Description
MEMBRANE FILTRATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MINIMIZING OR REDUCING
FOULING IN SUCH DEVICE
The present invention relates to a membrane filtration device that is used to separate a feed stream into a product stream and a concentrate stream. For example, the feed stream relates to water that needs to be filtered or desalinated so that it can be used as drinking water and/or can be used in other applications such as agricultural and industrial applications.
Conventional (spiral wound) membrane filtration devices comprise a number of membranes, a collection tube and a feed tube for feed inlet. In these devices adjacent membranes are separated by feed spacers and/or permeate spacers. In fact, at one side of the membrane a feed spacer is provided and at another side of the membrane a permeate spacer is provided. In use, the feed stream is pumped under pressure into one end of the device. A portion of the water in the feed stream diffuses through the membrane and into the permeate spacer, also referred to as permeate sheet, that guides the water to the collection tube and product output.
In use, conventional membrane filtration devices suffer from fouling, with biofouling the most common and hardest to control. Biofouling negatively influences the performance of the device. In fact, biofouling increases the pressure drop along the feed stream channels, thereby having a strong impact on the operational costs of conventional membrane filtration devices. In case of severe biofouling, so-called feed spacer channel plugging may occur. This will most likely result in the formation of preferential flow paths or channelling causing loss of active membrane area. This significantly reduces the performance of such conventional membrane filtration device. In addition, the increase of the pressure drop reduces the downstream net driving pressure, leading to decrease the membrane flux. This also reduces the overall performance of the conventional membrane filtration device. Furthermore, biofouling will increase the velocity in the available water channel space resulting in an increased feed channel pressure drop and/or increased risk of feed spacer displacement. It will be understood that this also negatively affects the performance of a conventional membrane filtration device.
The object of the present invention is to reduce the effects of biofouling in membrane filtration devices and/or membrane filtration operations, thereby contributing to a cost effective membrane filtration process.
This present invention provides for this purpose a membrane filtration device, with the membrane filtration device comprising: a feed input; a number of membranes; a number of feed spacers and permeate spacers separating adjacent membranes; and a permeate output and a concentrate output, wherein at least substantially all the feed spacers comprise sinusoidal channels.
By providing substantially all the feed spacers, and preferably all feed spacers, with sinusoidal channels, biofouling in the channels is significantly reduced. A possible explanation of the reduction of the development of biofouling is the reduction of concentration polarisation in the channels due to the sinusoidal shape. As a further effect, the sinusoidal shape of the channels contributes to disruption of the boundary layer(s) near the membrane surface. Together with the unobstructed flow and a minimum of dead flow areas this further reduces biofouling development. In addition, formation of preferential flow paths or channelling is prevented by the use of such sinusoidal shapes. Furthermore, the prevention, more specifically the significant reduction, of a pressure drop increase with the sinusoidal shape of the channels also prevents the reduction of the net driving pressure. Also, entrapment of particles is reduced or prevented. Therefore, membrane flux is maintained for a long period of time, thereby contributing to an effective and efficient membrane process.
As an even further effect, the amount of chemicals that is required for cleaning purposes can be significantly reduced with the membrane filtration device according to the present invention. This improves the cost efficiency of an operation with the device according to the present invention and contributes to a more sustainable operation, with less downtime.
Preferably, the shape of the channel is defined by the formula a sin(bn), with values for “a”, “b” to some extent depending on spacer and membrane dimensions and/or fluid characteristics. In presently preferred embodiments, “a” is in the range of 0.1-100, more preferably in the range of 1-10, and most preferably in the range of 2-7. In presently preferred embodiments, “b” is preferably in the range of 0-1, more preferably in the range of 1/100-1/2, and most preferably in the range of 1/25-1/10. For example, a = 3, 4, 5, or 6 and b = 1/6, 1/8, or 1/12. It will be understood that other values of a, b could also be envisaged in accordance with the present invention.
It will be understood that, optionally, also the permeate spacers can be provided with sinusoidal channels. This may further improve the membrane filtration device. However, especially applying the sinusoidal channels according to the invention to the feed spacers has a beneficial effect on preventing biofouling and improving cleaning possibilities.
Preferably, the device according to the invention relates to a spiral wound filtration device. In general, such spiral wound filtration device enables an effective and efficient filtration operation. The sinusoidal channels of at least the feed spacers of the membrane filtration device according to the invention significantly reduce biofouling development, particulate fouling, concentration polarisation, and enhance the ability for cleaning of the spacers. This improves the overall performance of these spiral wound filtration devices.
In a presently preferred embodiment according to the present invention, at least some of the feed spacers each comprise a number of unfixed channel defining wall elements.
By providing a number of unfixed channel defining wall elements, a spacer comprising a number of individual and separate elements is achieved. These individual elements act as channel defining wall elements. This provides an effective spacer. In addition, using such individual elements may reduce the amount of material that is required and provide an effective manufacturing process for these spacers. For example, the amount of material that needs to be cut away from the spacer material to provide the channels will be reduced significantly. Optionally, a support structure is provided for ease of manufacturing the spacer, for example at the edges/boundaries of the spacer. This support is removed during or after assembly of the membrane filtration device. This enables an effective assembly of the membrane filtration device with individual channel defining wall elements for the spacer. A further advantage of independent unfixed channel defining wall elements is that the design can easily be adapted to the dimensions of the membrane filtration device and/or the characteristics of the feed flow or feed stream, and optionally on the location of the elements in the device.
In a further alternative embodiment according to the present invention the device further comprises pressing elements configured for pressing the membranes and spacers together when assembling the device.
By providing pressing elements, the membranes and spacers can be pressed together. The pressing elements are effectively used in one of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention wherein the pressing elements press the feed spacer comprising a number of unfixed channel defining wall elements together with the membranes and permeate spacers during the assembly. This reduces or prevents the use of gluing or adhering the spacer elements in another manner in the device.
In a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the device further comprises stretching elements configured for stretching the spacers and membranes of the device for cleaning.
By stretching the membranes and spacers, cleaning is made easier. When stretching the sinusoidal spacers the amplitude of the sinusoidal channels is reduced and cleaning fluid can be pressed more easily through the spacers. Furthermore, stretching exposes the biofouling that is located on channel walls to additional forces acting on the biofilm/ biofouling particles, thereby making removal thereof easier. Such cleaning contributes to the overall cleaning of the membrane filtration device according to the present invention. Also, the use of alternative (chemical) cleaning materials and/or methods can be reduced even further.
Especially the use of stretching elements for cleaning purposes in combination with unfixed channel defining wall elements is beneficial for cleaning purposes. An effective cleaning of the channels with removal of biofouling can be achieved. Optionally, in a device according to the present invention, such cleaning step can be performed at longer time intervals as compared to conventional cleaning operations, thereby increasing the time period the device can be normally operated. This further reduces the operational costs according to the present invention.
In an even further preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the device comprises a gas injector configured for injecting gas into the device.
By providing a gas injector, in the cleaning step gas bubbles can be injected into the feed input and feed stream, thereby contributing to the cleaning of the membrane filtration device. In a presently preferred embodiment, the gas injector is applied in combination with the stretching elements. Surprisingly, such combination of measures may have an additional effect on the cleaning result.
Preferably, the feed spacer is provided with a thickness in the range of 700-900 pm, and preferably the feed spacer has a thickness of about 800 pm.
The invention further relates to a spacer for a membrane filtration device as described earlier, with a spacer comprising channels having a sinusoidal shape.
Such spacer provides the same effects and advantages as described for the device.
The invention further also relates to a method for minimizing or reducing biofouling in a membrane filtration process, the method comprising the steps of: - assembling a membrane filtration device comprising: - a feed input; - a number of membranes; - a number of feed spacers and permeate spacers separating adjacent membranes; - a permeate output and a concentrate output, wherein at least substantially all the feed spacers comprise sinusoidal channels; and - providing a feed solution to the feed input.
Such method provides the same effects and advantages as described for the device or spacer.
The method according to the invention contributes to the reduction of biofouling in membrane filtration processes, by using feed spacers having sinusoidal channels. This reduces the formation of biofouling in the channels and/or on the membrane surface. This method prevents a pressure drop due to biofouling. This maintains the driving pressure for the membrane flux. In preferred embodiments of the method, one or more of the features for the device that were described earlier are implemented. Especially when cleaning the device, the use of stretching the spacers and membranes thereof and/or providing gas bubbles to the device renders the cleaning more effective. Optionally, this involves a two-phase cleaning process.
In a presently preferred embodiment according to the invention, the feed spacer is provided with a support structure that is removed when assembling the device. After removal of the support structure, the spacer, especially the feed spacer, comprises a number of unfixed channel defining wall elements. These individual wall elements can be glued, adhered (ultrasonically), welded to the membrane etc. Preferably, pressing elements provide a pressure when assembling the device, such that the spacer elements remain in place during the assembling process.
Manufacturing of the feed spacers according to the invention preferably involves 3D-printing, injection moulding, laser cutting or milling press. Both manufacturing processes have advantageous effects for manufacturing the spacers and the assembling of a membrane filtration device according to the present invention.
Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis of preferred embodiments thereof, and reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: - figure 1 shows a device in a spiral wound configuration of a membrane filtration device according to the invention; - figure 2 shows a feed spacer with a sinusoidal channel that is used in the membrane filtration device of figure 1; - figure 3 shows an experimental set-up with a membrane filtration device according to the present invention; and - figures 4-8 show experimental results obtained with the set-up of figure 3.
Spiral wound membrane filtration device 2 (Figure 1) comprises perforated central permeate tube 4 with a number of openings 6. Sheets of permeate collection material or permeate spacers 8, first membranes 10, feed spacers 12 and second membranes 14 are wound around permeate tube 4. The outer layer of device 2 is provided with an outer wrap 16. Feed input 18 is provided with feed stream 20. In the illustrated embodiment, at or close to feed input 18, gas input 22 enables providing a gas flow 24 that is produced by gas injector 26. On the other end of device 2, permeate output 28 provides permeate flow 30 and concentrate output 32 provides concentrate flow 34.
In the illustrated embodiment, pressing means or pressing element 36 is schematically shown as a clamp on the free end of spacers and membranes 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 when assembling device 2, thereby pressing the different elements together with sufficient force. Alternatively or in addition therewith, stretching elements 38, 40 stretch device 2 in directions Ax and A2, respectively. For example, this is performed for cleaning purposes.
Feed spacer 12 (Figure 2) comprises wall defining elements 42 that define channels 44 extending from first end 46 to second end 48 of spacer 12. In the illustrated embodiment for spacer 12, support structure 50 is provided for ease of manufacturing. During manufacturing of spacer 12 support structure 50 connects different wall elements 42. After or during assembly of device 2 support structures 50 can be cut away along lines 52, thereby providing a number of unfixed channel defining wall elements 42.
In a membrane filtration process feed stream 20 is supplied to device 2. In case of drinking water production, water of feed stream 20 diffuses through membrane 14 towards the permeate spacer 8 and is collected in permeate flow 30. Other parts of feed stream 20 maintain in the area defined by feed spacers 12 and can be removed from device 2 as concentrate flow 34.
While assembling device 2, pressing element 36 is preferably used to achieve a spiral wound device 2 wherein elements 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 are pressed together around tube 4. Optionally, supports 50 are removed from feed spacers 12 by cutting along cutting lines 52.
When cleaning of device 2 is required, optionally, gas flow 24 is provided by gas injector 26 to gas input 22. This reduces biofouling. Alternatively or in combination therewith, stretching elements 38, 40 stretch device 2 in its lengthwise direction, thereby removing biofouling in the channels of feed spacers 12. Other cleaning approaches can also be used, preferably in combination with one or both of the aforementioned cleaning steps.
Next, an experimental set-up 54 will be described that is used in experiments indicating the effects of the sinusoidal feed spacers 12 according to the present invention.
Experimental set-up 54 (Figure 3) comprises tap 56 connected to tank 58 and provided with in-line heater 60. The temperature of heater 60 is controlled involving temperature control 61. From in-line heater 60 fluid is provided to two cartridge filters 62a, b and next to one of the separate channels 64a-d.
Channel 64a is provided with pressure reducer 66. In the illustrated embodiment, additional tank 68, for example provided with a nutrient solution, is connected to channel 64a with pump 70 and valve 72. Disinfectant with a concentration of about 1 mg/L was dosed to the flow controller to keep it clean. The combined fluid flow enters filtration device 74 that has a similar configuration as compared to device 2 that was described earlier. Differential pressure sensor 76 measures the differential pressure over system 74. In the illustrated embodiment, an additional permeate pump 78 is provided. The other channels 64b-d have a similar configuration as described for channel 64a. In experimental setup 54, these four channels 64a-d relate to so-called PMMA flow cells are provided in parallel.
In experimental set-up 54 the concentrate flow is controlled by a flow controller comprising a calorimetric flow meter, needle valve and control system to avoid downstream biofouling (not shown).
The sinusoidal spacers were made by selective laser sintering on a printer and were made from fine polyamide PA 2200 and/or UV cured acrylic polymer. The conventional (diamond) feed spacer that is used for comparing the results of the different spacers, was made from a 901 angle net structure of non-woven strings with a thickness of about 787 pm (31 mils) and a porosity of about 0.85. The effective membrane area was about 140 cm2 for the standard 31 mils feed spacer and 96 cm2 for sinusoidal spacers (see Table 1). Further experimental conditions are included in Table 1.
Table 1: Experimental conditions and spacer details
Feed spacers of the conventional diamond type (figure 6A) and designs for feed spacers 12 according to the invention as schematically illustrated in figure 2 are provided for different shapes of the channels according to a sin(bn), with “a” is 3 and “b” is 1/12 (Figure 6B), “a” is 3 and “b” is 1/6 (figure 6C), and “a” is 6 and “b” is 1/12 (figure 6D). These different designs were tested in the experiment. It is noted that figure 6A-D shows the spacer after the experiment has ended.
In the experiment pressurized tap water was provided from tank 58 to heater 60 to reach or maintain the desired fluid temperature. In the experiment the applied pressure was about 1.7 bar. The nutrient composition was sodium acetate, sodium nitrate and sodium dihydrogen orthophosphate in the ratio of 100: 20:10 with an organic carbon concentration of 500 mg carbon acetate/1. Biofouling was allowed to develop in flow cells 64a, b, c, d. The four channels 64 a-d were operated in parallel at constant flux of 20 l/(m2 h) and flow velocity 0.15 m/s. The experimental run was initiated by dosage of the nutrients to the feed stream of 60 ml/hr. The nutrient solution was adjusted to pH 11 with NaOH to avoid microbial growth and was replenished once every four days.
Biofilms were removed from the membranes to measure biomass TOC (Total Organic Carbon) and ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate). The biofilms were removed by scraping and flushing after which the biofilm was homogenised by ultrasonic treatment. The TOC concentration and average ATP concentration were determined from a number of independent samples.
Accumulated biomass for FCP (Feed Channel Pressure in Figure 4A) and TMP (Trans Membrane Pressure in Figure 4B) shows a significant effect of the sinusoidal spacers. FCP relates to feed channel pressure drop that showed a lower increase during operation for the sinusoidal feed spacers according to the invention. Results of the biomass developments for the different spacers are shown in figure 5 A for TOC and figure 5B for ATP.
As mentioned earlier, the resulting biofouling after the experiment is shown in figure 6A-D thereby indicating the reduction and biofouling with the sinusoidal spacers. Also, experiments showed that a lower FCP is achieved with the sinusoidal spacers (Figure 7). It is noted that all sinusoidal spacers show an improved performance as compared to the commercially available conventional spacer element. In fact, in the experiment the FCP increase was minimal for “a” is 3 and “b” is 1/12.
The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.
CLAUSES 1. Membrane filtration device, comprising: - a feed input; - a number of membranes; - a number of feed spacers and permeate spacers separating adjacent membranes; and - a permeate output and a concentrate output, wherein at least substantially all the feed spacers comprise sinusoidal channels. 2. Membrane filtration device according to clause 1, wherein the device is a spiral wound filtration device. 3. Membrane filtration device according to clause 1 or 2, wherein at least some of the feed spacers each comprise a number of unfixed channel defining wall elements. 4. Membrane filtration device according to clause 1, 2 or 3, further comprising pressing elements configured for pressing the membranes and spacers together when assembling the device. 5. Membrane filtration device according to one or more of the foregoing clauses, further comprising stretching elements configured for stretching the spacers and membranes of the device for cleaning. 6. Membrane filtration device according to one or more of the foregoing clauses, further comprising a gas injector configured for injecting a gas in the device. 7. Membrane filtration device according to one or more of the foregoing clauses, wherein the spacer is provided with a thickness in the range of 700-900 pm, and preferably has a thickness of about 800 pm. 8. Spacer for a membrane filtration device, the spacer comprising channels having a sinusoidal shape. 9. Method for minimizing or reducing biofouling in a membrane filtration process, comprising the steps: - assembling a membrane filtration device comprising: - a feed input; - a number of membranes; - a number of feed spacers and permeate spacers separating adjacent membranes; - a permeate output and a concentrate output, wherein at least substantially all the feed spacers comprise sinusoidal channels; and - providing a feed solution to the feed input. 10. Method according to clause 9, further comprising the step of cleaning the device. 11. Method according to clause 10, wherein cleaning the device comprises stretching the spacers and membranes of the device. 12. Method according to clause 10 or 11, wherein cleaning the device comprises providing gas bubbles to the device. 13. Method according to one or more of the foregoing clauses 9-12, wherein the feed spacer is provided with a support structure that is removed after assembling the device. 14. Method according to one or more of the foregoing clauses 9-13, wherein at least some of the feed spacers are manufactured using 3D-printing. 15. Method according to one or more of the foregoing clauses 9-14, wherein at least some of the feed spacers are manufactured using injection moulding.
Claims (15)
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2016462A NL2016462B1 (en) | 2016-03-21 | 2016-03-21 | Membrane filtration device and method for minimizing or reducing fouling in such device. |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2016462A NL2016462B1 (en) | 2016-03-21 | 2016-03-21 | Membrane filtration device and method for minimizing or reducing fouling in such device. |
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| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| NL2016462B1 true NL2016462B1 (en) | 2017-10-04 |
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| NL2016462A NL2016462B1 (en) | 2016-03-21 | 2016-03-21 | Membrane filtration device and method for minimizing or reducing fouling in such device. |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3962096A (en) * | 1974-06-20 | 1976-06-08 | Daicel, Ltd. | Separator |
| WO1991011249A1 (en) * | 1990-01-29 | 1991-08-08 | The Dow Chemical Company | Spiral-wound membrane separation device with feed and permeate/sweep fluid flow control |
| JP2000271457A (en) * | 1999-01-22 | 2000-10-03 | Nitto Denko Corp | Operation of spiral type membrane element and spiral type membrane module and spiral type membrane module |
| JP2004050005A (en) * | 2002-07-18 | 2004-02-19 | Japan Organo Co Ltd | Spiral membrane element, reverse osmosis membrane module, and reverse osmosis membrane apparatus |
| US20040104166A1 (en) * | 2002-11-29 | 2004-06-03 | Tessier David Florian | Spacer for electrically driven membrane process apparatus |
| US20040124134A1 (en) * | 2002-12-25 | 2004-07-01 | Nitto Denko Corporation | Process for producing spiral membrane element |
| WO2006040175A1 (en) * | 2004-10-15 | 2006-04-20 | Pall Corporation | Spacer for filter modules |
| US20090139650A1 (en) * | 2005-10-31 | 2009-06-04 | General Electric Company | Reverse osmosis membrane and membrane stack assembly |
| US20130146532A1 (en) * | 2011-12-09 | 2013-06-13 | General Electric Company | Feed spacer for spiral wound membrane element |
| US20150107455A1 (en) * | 2013-10-21 | 2015-04-23 | Mann+Hummel Gmbh | Hollow Fiber Module of a Device for Separating Fluids and Method for Producing Same |
-
2016
- 2016-03-21 NL NL2016462A patent/NL2016462B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3962096A (en) * | 1974-06-20 | 1976-06-08 | Daicel, Ltd. | Separator |
| WO1991011249A1 (en) * | 1990-01-29 | 1991-08-08 | The Dow Chemical Company | Spiral-wound membrane separation device with feed and permeate/sweep fluid flow control |
| JP2000271457A (en) * | 1999-01-22 | 2000-10-03 | Nitto Denko Corp | Operation of spiral type membrane element and spiral type membrane module and spiral type membrane module |
| JP2004050005A (en) * | 2002-07-18 | 2004-02-19 | Japan Organo Co Ltd | Spiral membrane element, reverse osmosis membrane module, and reverse osmosis membrane apparatus |
| US20040104166A1 (en) * | 2002-11-29 | 2004-06-03 | Tessier David Florian | Spacer for electrically driven membrane process apparatus |
| US20040124134A1 (en) * | 2002-12-25 | 2004-07-01 | Nitto Denko Corporation | Process for producing spiral membrane element |
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| US20090139650A1 (en) * | 2005-10-31 | 2009-06-04 | General Electric Company | Reverse osmosis membrane and membrane stack assembly |
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| US20150107455A1 (en) * | 2013-10-21 | 2015-04-23 | Mann+Hummel Gmbh | Hollow Fiber Module of a Device for Separating Fluids and Method for Producing Same |
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