WO2016044304A2

WO2016044304A2 - Tower filtration module assembly and related methods

Info

Publication number: WO2016044304A2
Application number: PCT/US2015/050238
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher James Kurth
Original assignee: Nanostone Water Inc.
Priority date: 2014-09-15
Filing date: 2015-09-15
Publication date: 2016-03-24
Also published as: WO2016044304A3; CN107106987A

Abstract

A filtration assembly includes a tower extending from a first end portion to a second end portion. The tower has at least a first side and a second side, and a permeate collection chamber, where permeate is collected in the permeate collection chamber. The tower has a tower outlet, and a module mounting portion on at least one of the first side or the second side. The filtration assembly includes a base coupled with the second end portion of the tower. One or more modules of the filtration assembly are each mounted in the module mounting portion, where the modules include one or more ceramic filtration membranes. The modules extend from a module first end portion to a second end portion, where the first portion has an outlet and is disposed within the permeate collection chamber. The module is sealed with the tower at the first end portion.

Description

TOWER FILTRATION MODULE ASSEMBLY AND RELATED METHODS

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application claims priority to United States Provisional Application Number 62/050,601 that was filed on 15 September 2014. The entire content of this provisional application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present embodiments relate to a filtration module and an assembly of filtration modules in a tower and related methods.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Some water treatment plants include a tank, in which coarse components are removed from waste water. The treatment plants can further include a sludge tank and a clarifying tank. Microorganisms are used in the activated sludge tank to decompose the fecal matter and other organic substances contained in the waste water. The microorganisms are normally separated from the waste water by sedimentation, and optionally recycled at least partially into the activated sludge tank. However, full separation of the microorganisms, particularly by a sedimentation process, is generally not possible, resulting in a health risk. What is needed is a system to efficiently and effectively treat the water and remove microorganisms to produce safe water. SUMMARY

[0004] A filtration assembly includes a vertical tower extending from a first end portion to a second end portion. The tower has at least a first side and a second side, and a permeate collection chamber, where permeate is collected in the permeate collection chamber. The tower has a tower outlet, and a module mounting portion on at least one of the first side or the second side. The filtration assembly further includes a base coupled with the second end portion of the tower. One or more modules of the filtration assembly are each mounted in the module mounting portion, where the modules include one or more ceramic filtration membranes. The one or more modules extending from a module first end portion to a second end portion, where the first portion has an outlet, and the first portion is disposed within the permeate collection chamber. The module is sealed with the tower at the first end portion.

[0005] In one or more embodiments, a method for making a module includes potting a ceramic filtration module at an intermediate portion and forming an intermediate potted portion. The ceramic module has channels, and the ceramic filtration module is defined in part by a length. The method further includes sealing an end of the channels, and cutting the intermediate potted portion of the module and forming two separate modules.

[0006] Several options for the method include combinations of additional methods and modifications of the method and are described as follows. In one or more embodiments, potting a ceramic filtration module at the intermediate portion includes potting the filtration module at a middle of the length of the filtration module. In one or more embodiments, the method includes applying a gasket to an end portion of the module. [0007] A method for using a filtration assembly is further disclosed herein. The method includes inserting a module at least one of into or on a support member of a tower, pulling a vacuum on the tower, drawing clean water into the tower, and disposing clean water into a tank.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, inserting the module includes inserting the module into a grooved portion of the tower. In one or more embodiments, the method further includes clamping the module to the tower, and/or positioning the module into or on a support member, and/or inserting at least one module on a first side of the tower, and inserting at least a second module on a second side of the tower.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] In the detailed description of the embodiments presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a tower assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0011] Figure 2 illustrates an end view of a tower assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0012] Figure 3 A illustrates a side view of a tower assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0013] Figure 3B illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a tower assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0014] Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a tower assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0015] Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a tower assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments. [0016] Figure 6A illustrates a perspective view of an interlocking module in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0017] Figure 6B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a module end through a membrane in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0018] Figure 6C illustrates a cross-sectional view of a module between two membranes interlocking module in accordance with one or more embodiments

[0019] Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of a module in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0020] Figure 8 illustrates a view of a module in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0021] The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listed figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0022] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form part of the description, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the embodiments may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be practiced in other ways. The following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0023] The present embodiments relate to a tower assembly 100 and a module used, for example, to treat water in a water treatment plant. The tower assembly 100 can be loaded in a basin, used for membrane bioreactor, used for groundwater treatment, used for surface water treatment, used for waste effluent treatment, or used in other applications. The tower assembly 100, shown in FIGs. 1 - 3B, includes a tower 120, a base 124, and a module 150. The module 150 includes one or more ceramic membranes 152.

[0024] The tower 120, in one or more embodiments includes a module mounting portion 122 that is mounted to a base 124. The tower 120 includes a first side 126 and a second side 128, and the module mounting portion is on at least one or both of the first side 126 or second side 128 of the tower 120. The tower is a vertical member that provides features to convey purified water from the modules, seal to the modules, and at least partially support the modules. The features which convey purified water are located inside the tower, and features for sealing the module are located on the outside of the tower. The base of the tower extends sufficiently far from the vertical member to provide stability against tipping, and in one or more embodiments, extends to the end of the modules.

[0025] The base of the tower may also contain provisions to disperse air to allow bubbles to clean the surface of the membrane, such as a bubbler 192 (FIG. 2). In this case the tower is also to contain the means to convey air to the dispersion apparatus. Above the uppermost module, in one or more embodiments, the tower has a sprinkler nozzle 190 to spray purified water at the surface of the membranes in the modules to dislodge retained materials. This may be done at the same time as purified water is flowed in a reverse manner from the purified side of the membrane to the feed side. In tandem, the reverse flow lifts impurities from the membrane surface while the spray dislodges the lifted materials falling to the base. The base is a device that is used to mount stand on a surface such that tower is supported and extends therefrom. [0026] The tower 120 extends from a first end portion 123 to a second end portion 125. The base 124, in one or more embodiments, is disposed at the second end portion 125 of the tower 120 and provides sufficient stability such that the base 124 is set on a surface, ie ground, and the module mounting portion 122 extends away from the base 124, for example, upward from the base 124, such that the tower 120 is disposed in a generally vertical orientation. In one or more embodiments, the tower 120 includes additional support members 134, as shown in FIG. 4. The additional support members 134 can, for example, be internal structure or cables, or exterior support members.

[0027] The module mounting portion 122 of the tower 120 includes, in one or more embodiments, a module mounting member, such as, but not limited to grooves 130 to support and position the module 150, as shown in FIG. 3 A. In one or more embodiments, the module mounting member includes one or more of interacting structure between the module 150 and the tower 120. In one or more embodiments, the module mounting member includes three-sided structure at least partially encompassing the module 150, and/or angled structure to prevent removal during cleaning of the assembly 100 and/or during the vacuum for normal filtration of the assembly. Examples of interacting structures are shown in FIG. 6A. FIG. 6B illustrates a cross-section of a module end through a flat ceramic membrane, illustrating a seal 240, interior channels 215, and ceramic walls 242, and potting 250. FIG. 6C illustrates a cross-section of a module end between two flat membranes, showing potting 250, a seal 240, and a ceramic outer wall of the flat membrane.

[0028] FIGs. 4 and 5 illustrate the tower 120 in greater detail, for example illustrating a cross-sectional view of the tower 120. In one or more embodiments, the tower 120 is substantially hollow, as shown in FIG. 4, allowing for filtered water to collect inside of the tower 120 before it is transported or pumped to clean water tank 200. For instance, the tower includes a permeate collection chamber 133 which can collect water within the tower 120, and a tower outlet 131 to disperse water, where the outlet 131 is fluidly coupled with the permeate collection chamber 133. The tower 120 includes a tube 121 that extends from opening 1 19 to a depth within the tower 120. In one or more embodiments, the tube 121 extends substantially the length of the tower 120. The tube 121 optionally further includes a coupling which can be used to apply positive pressure or a vacuum to the tower 120 in the range of 5 bar positive pressure (for cleaning of the membranes) to a 0 bar for a vacuum during filtration. The vacuum will draw clean, filtered water into the tower 120, for example, via the tube 121 and out to a tank 200.

[0029] In a further option, the tube 121 is fluidly coupled with a smaller interior chamber 132 of the tower 120, as shown in FIG. 5. The chamber 132 can include a sidewall within the tower 120. The modules 140 are each individually coupled with the chamber 132 inside of the tower 120. The smaller chamber 132 allows for a faster cleaning process, among other advantages. The tower 120, in one or more

embodiments, can include a series of tubes for interconnecting the modules with an output of the tower 120. Referring to FIG. 3 A, the tower 120 includes slits 127 for filtrate collection, in one or more embodiments.

[0030] In one or more embodiments, the assembly further includes a clamping member 139 disposed on at least one side of the tower assembly. In one or more embodiments, the clamping member is on a first side 126 of the tower assembly. In one or more embodiments, the clamping member is on both sides 126, 128 of the tower assembly. The clamping assembly is used to assist in retaining the module 150 within the tower.

[0031] One or more modules 150 are coupled with the tower 120 such that one end of the modules 150 are disposed inside of the tower 120, and are mounted in and/or on the tower 120 such that the one or more modules 150 have a water tight seal with the tower, for example with a seal 240. In one or more embodiments, the modules 150 extend from a first end 156 to a second end 158, where the first end 156 is mounted to and/or inside of the tower 120, and the second end 158 is free. The rigidity of the module 150, for example of ceramic membranes 152, allow for the modules 150 to be supported by one end. In one or more embodiments, additional structure can be disposed at the second end 158. The modules 150 can be clamped and/or bolted into place.

[0032] Referring to FIGs. 7 and 8, a module assembly is shown. In one or more embodiments, a method for making a module includes potting a ceramic filtration module 210 at an intermediate portion 212 and forming an intermediate potted portion 214. The ceramic module has channels 215, and the ceramic filtration module is defined in part by a length 216. The method further includes sealing ends of the channels, and cutting the intermediate potted portion of the module 210 and forming two separate modules.

[0033] Several options for the method are as follows. In one or more embodiments, potting a ceramic filtration module at the intermediate portion includes potting the filtration module at a middle of the length of the filtration module. In one or more embodiments, the method includes applying a gasket 218 to an end portion of the module, as shown in FIG. 8. The modules can be used with a tower, for example, the tower 120 discussed herein.

[0034] A method for using a filtration assembly is further disclosed herein. The method includes inserting a module at least one of into or on a support member of a tower, pulling a vacuum on the tower, drawing clean water into the tower, and disposing clean water from a tower outlet and, for example, into a tank. The module includes the various modules discussed above and illustrated in the figures.

[0035] In one or more embodiments, inserting the module includes inserting the module into a grooved portion of the tower. In one or more embodiments, the method further includes clamping the module to the tower, and/or positioning the module into or on a support member, and/or inserting at least one module on a first side of the tower, and inserting at least a second module on a second side of the tower. In one or more embodiments, the method includes spraying water, such as purified water, at a surface of the membrane in the modules to dislodge retained materials. In one or more

embodiments, the method further includes dispersing air at the base of the tower to allow bubbles to clean the surface of membranes in the modules.

[0036] The embodiments have been described in detail with particular reference to certain embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and

modifications can be effected within the scope of the embodiments, especially to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that embodiments or portions thereof discussed in different portions of the description or referred to in different drawings can be combined to form additional embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A filtration assembly comprising: a vertical tower extending from a first end portion to a second end portion, the tower having at least a first side and a second side, the tower having a permeate collection chamber, where permeate is collected in the permeate collection chamber, the tower having a tower outlet; the tower having a module mounting portion on at least one of the first side or the second side; a base coupled with the second end portion; one or more modules each mounted in the module mounting portion, the modules including one or more ceramic filtration membranes; and the one or more modules extending from a module first end portion to a second end portion, the first portion having an outlet, the first portion disposed within the permeate collection chamber, the module sealed with the tower at the first end portion.

2. The filtration assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein water from each module feeds into the permeate collection chamber and dispersed from the tower outlet.

3. The filtration assembly as recited in any one of claims 1 - 2, wherein the tower supports the modules.

4. The filtration assembly as recited in any one of claims 1 - 3, further comprising a sprinkler nozzle near the first end portion of the tower.

5. The filtration assembly as recited in any one of claims 1 - 4, further comprising a bubbler near the second end portion of the tower, where the bubbler disperses air to allow bubbles to clean a surface of the membrane.

6. The assembly as recited in any one of claims 1 - 5, wherein the tower is an elongate tower.

7. The assembly as recited in any one of claims 1 - 6, further comprising a module clamping device, the module clamping device securing the module to the module mounting portion.

8. The assembly as recited in any one of claims 1 - 7, wherein the one or more modules include two modules that are mounted on both the first and second sides of the tower.

9. The assembly as recited in any one of claims 1 - 8, wherein the filtrate collection includes one or more slits.

10. The assembly as recited in any one of claims 1 - 9, wherein the module mounting portion includes one or more grooves.

11. A method for making a module, the method comprising: potting a ceramic filtration module at an intermediate portion and forming an

intermediate potted portion, the ceramic module having channels, the ceramic filtration module defined in part by a length; sealing an end of the channels; and cutting the intermediate potted portion and forming two separate modules.

12. The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein potting a ceramic filtration module at the intermediate portion includes potting the filtration module at a middle of the length of the filtration module.

13. The method as recited in claim 11 , further comprising applying a gasket to an end portion of the module.

14. A method for using a filtration assembly, the method comprising: inserting a module at least one of into or on a support member of a tower, the tower extending vertically from a first end portion to a second end portion, the tower having a first side and a second side, the tower having a permeate collection chamber, where permeate is collected in the permeate collection chamber, where a base is coupled with the second end portion of the tower, the tower having a tower outlet; the tower having a module mounting portion; pulling a vacuum on the tower; drawing clean water into permeate collection chamber of the tower; and disposing clean water from the first end portion of the tower.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein inserting the module includes inserting the module into a grooved portion of the tower.

16. The method as recited in any one of claims 14 - 15, further comprising clamping the module to the tower.

17. The method as recited in any one of claims 14 - 16, further comprising positioning the module into or on a support member.

18. The method as recited in any one of claims 14 - 17, further comprising inserting at least one module on a first side of the tower, and inserting at least a second module on a second side of the tower.

19. The method as recited in any one of claims 14 - 18, further comprising spraying water at a surface of the membrane in the modules to dislodge retained materials.

20. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein spraying water at the surface includes spraying purified water at the surface of the membrane.

21. The method as recited in any one of claims 14 - 20, further comprising dispersing air at the base to allow bubbles to clean the surface of membranes in the modules.