WO2017105356A1

WO2017105356A1 - Hollow fiber membrane module

Info

Publication number: WO2017105356A1
Application number: PCT/TR2015/050255
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alp Sarioglu; Samet AKDEMIR; Sami Tugrul YAYIM
Original assignee: Ak-Kim Kimya Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2015-12-18
Filing date: 2015-12-18
Publication date: 2017-06-22

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hollow fiber membrane module (1), wherein waste waters are treated to be suitable for receiving environment's discharge standards, and which is used for the recovery of the treated waters and in pre-filtration of surface waters, underground waters and sea water to obtain tap, process and drinking water. The hollow fiber membrane module (1) of the present invention comprises a main body (3) which is in the form of a cylindrical pipe, fibers (2) extending within the main body (2), at least one central pipe (4) which is placed longitudinally in the main body (3), fins (5.1) attached around the central pipe (4), an outer cap (6) which closes the upper openings of the main body (3) and comprises a horizontal pipe (6.1) associated with the open ends of the fibers (2) and a vertical pipe (6.2) associated with the central pipe (4), a main connection part (7) which is placed in between the outer cap (6) and the main body (3), and which has a layered structure that enables to grip the potting resin (7.3) that allows to hold the fibers (2) and a complementary piece (8) which enables the main connection part (7) to be attached to the outer cap (6) via a clamp (9). The hollow fiber membrane module (1) of the present invention can be adapted to both crossflow and blind plug model flow filtration depending on the structure of the outer cap (6).

Description

DESCRIPTION

HOLLOW FIBER MEMBRANE MODULE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hollow fiber membrane module, wherein waste waters are treated to be suitable for receiving environment's discharge standards, and which is used for the recovery of the treated waters and in pre-filtration of surface waters, underground waters and sea water to obtain tap, process and drinking water.

Background of the Invention

Today, as the studies for treating waste waters and obtaining tap, process and drinking water from surface waters, underground waters and sea water are gaining importance, studies for membrane modules have increased. Ultrafiltration is an advanced physical treatment process working under pressure wherein water and low molecular weight substances pass through a membrane while macromolecules, particles, bacteria, viruses and colloids are retained and separated from water. There is scale of treatment process with ultrafiltration, and according to this scale, pore diameter of the fibers in the ultrafiltration membranes is in the range of 10-100 nm. The molecular weight limit value of the water that is being treated with ultrafiltration membranes is 500,000 daltons and the macromolecules over this value cannot pass through the fibers in the ultrafiltration membranes. Ultrafiltration membranes work under an operating pressure in the range of 1-15 bars. The ultrafiltration membranes that have been developed have various differences from each other in terms of feed water inlet outlet structure, treated water inlet outlet structure, treated water inlet outlet structure, treated water collection points, main body structure, type of material used, water treatment capacity of the manufactured module, operating pressure, operation pH and temperature, contamination problems, contamination repetition, types of chemicals used for module cleaning, properties of the feed water, area of use and module design.

The current applications in the state of the art (US7160454, KR20080064212, EP1591157, US7850853) differ from each other in terms of the structure of the membrane modules and the connection of the membranes with the module headpiece. Membranes can generally be provided in the module as having one end connected, two ends attached or in the form of a U-connection. The membranes having two ends attached can be as one side open and the other side closed. In membranes having one end attached (US2009314704), the free end can be closed and the connected end can be open. Half of the ones with one end connected are used in modules immersed in water. The exposed end of these membranes floats oscillatingly due to the effect of the water stream. There are applications wherein fibers are arranged one by one inside the module and applications wherein membranes in the form of bundles are positioned inside the module. In some applications (WO2011150206), these fibers are grouped by being separated via plates and in some other applications they are collected in bundles by means of cases. In addition to these, there are also applications wherein fibers are knitted to each other or wherein knitting yarn is used.

In most applications (e.g. US7160454), a fixing material is used for connecting the fibers to the module headpiece. When this material is being selected, the process conditions in which the module will work are taken into consideration. Special chemical components are used by taking the working conditions of the module into consideration since it is influenced by parameters such as the structure and durability of the fixing material, pH and temperature of the feed water and operating pressure. The fixing material should not damage the fibers and it should also cling on the surface at the point where the fibers are gathered and contact the headpiece. If the fixing material that is used is not selected as suitable to the process conditions or does not cling well onto the surface that it contacts without leaving any space; deformation occurs due to melting, rupture or fracture of the material. Due to deformation, the feed water leaks through the point where the fibers are fixed to the module headpiece and mixes with the treated water that is obtained, and thus prevents obtaining production water of desired quality. In some other applications (US6911147 and ZA200907183), the fibers may be engaged to the channels on a plate on the headpiece. The fibers used in this type of applications form the tubular modules. Outer diameters, inner diameters and wall thicknesses of the fibers used in tubular modules are bigger and that are these fibers generally used in waste water treatment. Tubular modules are preferred at higher operating pressures and in feed waters with higher contamination load. Therefore, the plate accommodating the channels to which the fibers are engaged are formed from components resistant against high pressure and high contamination load. In membrane modules, air inlet outlet, feed water inlet outlet, treated water outlet, cleaning chemical and cleaning water inlet outlet are generally provided via the vertical pipe opening (associated with the central pipe) and/or the horizontal pipe opening (connected to the headpiece inner volume and thus the open end of the fibers) which are located on the lower and upper headpieces of the housing. In some applications, the feed water enters into the module from the lower headpiece through the vertical pipe opening. The feed water, which enters into the module from the lower headpiece through the vertical pipe opening, moves upwards from the module base with the pressure driving and propelling force. When the movement direction is upwards, if the vertical pipe opening on the upper outer cap of the module is closed by a blind plug, the feed water is separated by means of the force applied from outside towards inside on the surface of the fibers due to the pressure difference occurring within the module. The part that passes into the fibers is the treated part and it is cleared of its contamination load in the ultrafiltration scale. The treated water goes out through the ends of the fibers and is discharged via the horizontal pipe opening provided on the outer cap. This type of operating model is called "outside-in configuration and blind plug filtration" type (HK1203878). In some applications, the feed water enters from the lower headpiece through the vertical pipe opening. The feed water, which enters from the lower headpiece through the vertical pipe opening, moves from bottom to top through the fibers within the module by means of the driving and propelling force produced by the pressure. When the vertical pipe opening on the upper cap of the module is sealed, by means of the pressure that is applied, while the solid particles in the feed water remain in the pore in the inner surfaces of the fibers, the water passes through the pores and is treated in the ultrafiltration scale and is collected out of the fibers. The treated part collected out of the fibers is collected on the upper cap of the module and is discharged via the horizontal pipe opening. This type of operating model is called "inside-out configuration and blind plug filtration" type. In some applications, during filtration, the vertical pipe opening on the upper headpiece of the module is not closed and the feed water entering into the module from the base rises to the upper part of the module and leaves the module through the open vertical pipe opening. Due to the difference of pressure that will be formed during this circulation, higher pressure is applied than the blind plug model in order to produce a force from outside to inside on the surfaces of the fibers and to make separation on the surface of the fibers on the ultrafiltration scale depending on this force. Under high operation pressure, due to the pressure difference occurring on the fiber surface, separation takes place on the ultrafiltration scale. The treated water is filtered through the fibers and is discharged via the horizontal pipe openings provided on the outer cap. Untreated concentrated water is circulated within the module and then leaves the system by going out through the vertical pipe opening on the upper outer cap of the module. This type of module operating model is called "outside-in configuration and crossflow model filtration" (SG2012077962). In some applications, during filtration, the feed water enters through the vertical pipe opening located on the lower headpiece and moves from bottom to top with the force applied in the fibers. When the vertical pipe opening located on the upper headpiece, the feed water, which enters into the module, is circulated and leaves the module. Due to the difference of pressure that will be formed during this circulation, higher pressure is applied than the blind plug model in order to produce a force from inside to outside on the surfaces of the fibers and to make separation on the surface of the fibers on the ultrafiltration scale depending on this force. Under high operation pressure, due to the pressure difference occurring on the fiber surface, separation takes place on the ultrafiltration scale. The treated water is outside of the fibers and is discharged via the horizontal pipe openings provided on the outer cap. Untreated concentrated water is circulated within the module and then leaves the system by going out through the vertical pipe opening on the upper outer cap of the module. This type of module operating model is called "inside- out configuration and crossflow model filtration". Crossflow filtration models are generally used after the conventional treatment in processes of treating waste water with high contamination load. In some applications, the feed water entering through the horizontal pipe opening located on the lower outer cap of the module moves through the fibers. Upon blinding the horizontal pipe opening on the upper outer cap of the module, the feed water produces a pressure difference. Due to the pressure difference produced within the module, the treated water goes out of the fibers and is collected with the force applied from the inner surfaces of the fibers towards outside. The collected treated water is discharged through the vertical pipe opening located on the outer cap of the module. This type of module operating model is called inside-out configuration and blind plug model filtration. In some applications, the feed water entering through the horizontal pipe opening located on the lower outer cap of the module moves from bottom to top within the fibers. The feed water is circulated within the module and then leaves the module by going out through the horizontal pipe opening on the upper outer cap of the module. Due to the pressure difference produced at this moment, the feed water in the fibers applies force to the fiber surfaces and the force enables water treated in ultrafiltration scale to be discharged out of the fibers. The treated water is collected outside of the fibers and is discharged through the vertical pipe openings located on the outer cap of the module. This type of module operating model is called inside-out configuration and crossflow model filtration. In crossflow type filtration processes, since the feed water is circulated within the system, a higher amount of pressure is applied than the blind plug model for separation of treated water (US2005067340). In some applications, the feed water enters into the module through the horizontal pipe opening located on the lower outer cap of the module. By sealing the horizontal pipe opening located on the upper outer cap of the module, the feed water is enabled to pass from out of the fibers into the fibers inside module by the pressure difference. The feed water entering into the module moves from outside into the fibers under the effect of the pressure difference and is treated in ultrafiltration scale. The treated water is collected in the fibers and accumulates in the upper outer cover and then is discharged through the vertical pipe opening. This type of module operating model is called "outside-in configuration and blind plug model filtration". In some applications, the feed water entering through the horizontal pipe opening located on the lower outer cap of the module moves from bottom to top within the module. The feed water is circulated within the module and then leaves the module by going out through the horizontal pipe opening on the upper outer cap of the module. Due to the pressure difference produced at this moment, the feed water out of the fibers applies force to the fiber surfaces and enters into the fibers as water treated in ultrafiltration scale. The treated water is collected in the fibers and is discharged through the vertical pipe opening located on the outer cap of the module. This type of module operating model is called "outside-in configuration and crossflow model filtration". With outside-in filtration model, a larger surface area and a more advantageous configuration for waste water treatment is achieved compared to the inside-out filtration. In some applications (WO2006012920), all of these water flows are realized not through the pipe openings locate on the outer cap of the module but through the pipe openings located on the main body.

Membrane modules also exhibit various differences in terms of feed water distribution structure. The feed water is generally supplied through the perforated pipe provided in the modules between the fiber bundles. While the holes on the perforated pipe are circular in some applications, in some other applications these holes are thin and long (WO2011150206). In one application there is no hole on the feed pipe. The feed water enters into the module through the imperforated pipe and is distributed into the main body, where the fiber bundles are located, from a point located under the outer cap. When the feed water is distributed through the perforated pipe, the holes on the pipe have many varieties such as circular and sequential (US2008093299), circular and staggered (WO2006012920), elliptical and sequential, elliptical and staggered (W0211150206).

Membrane modules also exhibit various differences in terms of air distribution structure. Air distribution channel is generally in the form of a cylindrical pipe located in the middle of fiber bundles and the air is enabled to pass to the water as bubbles through the holes thereon. In one application (KR20060015888), the air flow through the holes is guided by means of a helical fin around the said pipe lying in the center. In another application (KR100236921), there are no holes on the central pipe but L-shapes pipes extending perpendicular to the central pipe. Thus, the air is enabled to pass into the water through the pipe from the desired areas.

In conventional applications, it is seen that separators are used in the membrane modules for separating the fibers from each other and make them into bundles. In one application (W0211150206), the separator surface is selected to have a channeled structure. By using channels for water distribution and air distribution, the feed water is enabled to proceed within the hollow fiber membrane module and to be distributed evenly to the fiber surfaces by means of these channels. While the holes are circular in one application, they may be elliptical in another application and the holes may be arranged either sequentially or in a staggered manner.

In the known art, the treated water collected in the fibers goes out of the fiber ends and is collected at the outer cap and goes out of the horizontal pipe opening on the outer cap in a treated state. The pipe openings on the outer cap are used for the cleaning fluids which are used for periodic cleaning of the fibers. In some applications, while one end of the main body is open, the other end is closed. When water inlet and outlet is being carried out via the module headpiece mounted on the open end, air flow is not provided in the said applications.

In the state of the art, use of hollow fiber membranes is known. In one application, an apparatus having concentric extrusion openings is used for forming these fiber structures. Among the materials used in the said application, the central component is produced from a drilling material and the outer component is produced from a polymeric material. The porousness on the surface of the polymeric component is processed with air flow in order to designate the diameter and density of the fiber (US2008053891). Hydrophilic fibers are used in the modules. In some applications, in order to regulate the resistance and the porous structure of the polymeric component, other polymeric components are used and two polymeric components are mixed homogenously.

In some applications in the state of the art, it is observed that the hollow fiber membranes in membrane modules comprise a structure with a plurality of channels. For example, the hollow membranes disclosed in the patent document no. CN102019150 include 7 inner channels (holes) having a diameter of 0.8-1.0 mm.

The fibers have a microporous structure and include polymers such as cellulose acetate, polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyacrylonitrile, polysulfone, poly ether sulfone, Teflon and polyvinylidene fluoride, and other additives. Although the main raw material of the fibers is polymeric, the other additives help in designating the parameters such as the pore size, diameter, density and permeability of the fibers.

Summary of the Invention The objective of the present invention is to provide a hydrophilic and polymer- based hollow fiber membrane module for treating waste waters at high performance thereby making them suitable for discharge standards of the receiving environment, which is suitable for outside-in or inside-out feeding in processes for pre-filtration purposes wherein drinking water is obtained by treating surface waters, underground waters and sea water and whose fiber surface is completely asymmetrical. The objective of the present invention is to provide a hollow fiber membrane module which assures sealing and is resistant against higher inner pressure.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a hollow fiber membrane module which enables turbulence and distribution of the feed water in the module.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a hollow fiber membrane module which enables easy waste discharge and wherein accumulation of particles, bacteria and mud is lower. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a hollow fiber membrane module which enables to obtain high quality treated water.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a hollow fiber membrane module which is not easily clogged and which has a larger water treatment capacity.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a hollow fiber membrane module which is suitable for blind plug model and crossflow model filtration process. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a hollow fiber membrane module which has outside-in and inside-out configuration.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a hollow fiber membrane module which provides less loss of space in the operation thanks to the fiber having a higher surface area.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a hollow fiber membrane module which has a longer filtration life by means of its asymmetrical fiber structure.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a hollow fiber membrane module which is operable in higher pressure, temperature and pH ranges by means of its polymeric fiber structure.

Detailed Description of the Invention

"Hollow fiber membrane module" developed to fulfill the objective of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying figures wherein,

Figure 1. is a sectional view of the hollow fiber membrane module of the present invention.

Figure 2. is an exploded view of the hollow fiber membrane module of the present invention.

Figure 3. is another exploded view of the hollow fiber membrane module of the present invention.

Figure 4. is an exploded view of the headpiece of the hollow fiber membrane module of the present invention.

Figure 5. is a sectional view of the main connection part of the hollow fiber membrane module of the present invention. Figure 6. is a sectional view of the mounted state of the main connection part, complementary piece and central pipe of the hollow fiber membrane module of the present invention.

Figure 7. is a detail view of the mounted state of the main connection part of the hollow fiber membrane module of the present invention.

Figure 8. is a perspective view of the separator fin of the hollow fiber membrane module of the present invention.

Figure 9. is a sectional view of the connection state of the separator fin supports to the central pipe of the hollow fiber membrane module of the present invention.

Figure 10. is a perspective view of the connection state of the separator fin supports to the central pipe of the hollow fiber membrane module of the present invention.

Figure 11. is a schematic view of the working principle of the hollow fiber membrane module of the present invention on the total process.

The components in the figures are assigned reference numbers as follows

1. Hollow fiber membrane module

2. Fiber

3. Main body

4. Central pipe

5. Separator

5.1. Fin

5.2. Support

5.3. Lug

6. Outer cap

6.1. Horizontal pipe

6.2. Vertical pipe

6.3. Clamp lip

6.4. Support legs

7. Main connection part 7.1. Lower section

7.2. Upper section

7.3. Potting resin

8. Complementary piece

8.1. Cylindrical pipe

8.2. Clamp lip ring

9. Clamp

10. Complementary piece O-ring gasket

11. Vertical pipe O-ring gasket

12. Net

AS. Treated water

BS. Feed Water

KK: Concentrated part

P. Pump

The hollow fiber membrane module (1) of the present invention is used for advanced physical treatment of waste waters, surface waters, underground waters and sea water in ultrafiltration scale and comprises

- fibers (2) which have pores on the walls thereof at a size allowing passage of only water molecules and which thus enables to perform water treatment by means of its selective permeable structure,

- a main body (3) in the form of a cylindrical pipe in which fibers (2) extending along the length of it are positioned,

- at least one central pipe (4) which is positioned in the main body (3) such that it remains between the fibers (2), and which has a plurality of holes on the walls thereof throughout its entire length in order to enable the flows between the inner volume of the main body (3) and its own inner volume,

- at least one separator (5) comprising at least three fins (5.1) which are attached to the central pipe (4) by being engaged from one side thereof to some of the holes on the central pipe (4) and extend vertically between the walls of the central pipe (4) and the walls of the main body (3), and which thus enable the fibers (2) to be held together without stretching/getting scattered and which are at the same height throughout the length of the central pipe (4),

at least one outer cap (6); which enables to close two open ends of the main body (3) and has a semi-spherical inner volume and a clamp lip (6.3) in the form of a ring extending outwardly from the sides of the spherical section; and which comprises thereon at least one horizontal pipe (6.1), whose one end faces outside while the other faces its inner volume, and at least one vertical pipe (6.2), whose one end faces outside while the other faces the inner volume of the central pipe (4), which pipes enable inlet and outlet of water, cleaning chemical solutions or air,

at least one main connection part (7) in the form of a cylindrical pipe, which is positioned between the outer cap (6) and the main body (3) concentrically with the main body (3), and which is comprised of

- at least one lower section (7.1) which is located at the part closer to the main body (3) and whose inner diameter is equal to the outer diameter of the main body (3) and thus into which the main body (3) can enter,

- at least one upper section (7.2) which is located at the part farther away from the main body (3) and which has a smaller inner and outer diameter than that of the lower section (7) and which thus enables to restrict the main body (3) entering into the lower section (7.1) and has different inner diameters that decrease as it gets away from the main body (3), at least one potting resin (7.3) which fills the inner volume of the upper section (7.2) of the main connection part (7) having different inner diameters and which thus enables to surround the central pipe (4) and the fibers (2) extending towards this region from a point close to their ends but without closing their ends,

at least one complementary piece (8); which has an inner diameter same as the outer diameter of the upper section (7.2) of the main connection piece (7); and which is comprised of a cylindrical pipe (8.1), which, upon being engaged onto the upper section (7.2) so as to be concentric with the main connection part (7), is restricted with the wide diameter of the lower section (7.1), and at least one clamp lip ring (8.2) which is in the form of a ring that extends from the walls of the said cylindrical pipe (8.1) on the surface of the cylindrical pipe (8.1) that is farther away from the main connection part (7) and which has the same outer diameter with that of the clamp lip (6.3) on the outer cap (6) and is positioned such that the opposing surfaces thereof with the clamp lip (6.3) contact each other, - at least one clamp (9), which comprises at least two pieces that complement each other to form a circular form and have C- section and connecting members that connect the said pieces, and which, upon gripping together the clamp lip ring (8.2) of the complementary piece (8) and the clamp lip (6.3) of the outer cap (6) that contact each other after mounting, enables the complementary piece (8) and the outer cap (6) to be attached to each other.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a blind plug is used which enables to close the vertical pipe (6.2) located on one of the outer caps (6) and thus enables the feed water (BS) entering through the vertical pipe (6.2) on the other outer cap (6) to go out of the holes on the central pipe (4) and pass from outside of the fibers (2) into the fibers (2) and enable the filtration to be performed, and which enables the treated water (AS) to accumulate on the outer cap and to be discharged through the horizontal pipes (6.1).

In another embodiment of the invention, a blind plug is used which enables to close the horizontal pipe (6.1) located on one of the outer caps (6) and thus enables the feed water (BS) entering through the horizontal pipe (6.1) on the other outer cap (6) to enter from the ends of the fibers (2) facing the inner volume of the outer cap (6) and enables the filtration to be performed from inside to outside of the fibers (2), and which enables the treated water (AS) to enter through the holes on the central pipe (4) and to be discharged through the vertical pipes (6.2). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided at least one complementary piece O-ring gasket (10), which is positioned between the clamp lip ring (8.2) of the complementary piece (8) and the clamp lip (6.3) of the outer cap (6) that contact each other, and which thus provides pressure resistance and sealing during operation between the surfaces contacting against the water pressure in the outer cap (6), and which has high resistance and can operate at a wide temperature and pH range, and which is made of epdm material that is a harmless material to living beings and environment with its antibacterial structure. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamp (9) is made of a polyamide material which enables it to be resistant and sealing under high pressures.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided at least one vertical pipe O-ring gasket (11), which is made of epdm material, and which is positioned at the end of the vertical pipe (6.2) extending into the central pipe (4) between the outer surface of the vertical pipe (6.2) and the inner surface of the central pipe (4), and which thus enables to improve resistance and sealing of the connection point against the pressure of the fluid passing through the central pipe (4).

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one single piece wide- meshed woven net (12) made of ldpe (low density polyethylene) thread is used which envelops the fibers (2) within the main body (3) thereby enabling them not to be scattered but to be held together.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, in order to enable turbulent flow and homogeneous distribution of the feed water (BS) within the main body (3), a perforated central pipe (4) and separator (5) fins (5.1) are used. The holes on the central pipe (4) and the fins (5.1) forming the separator (5) may be circular and elliptical and may be arranged sequentially or in a staggered manner (irregular). The hole diameter is larger than 1 mm so that the large particles within the feed water (BS) do not clog the holes. Their diameter preferably varies from 1 mm to 1 cm. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, there are 4 to 10 holes which are formed on the central pipe (4) wall at each row and which are at different heights according to the diameter of the central pipe (4).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there are at least three separators (5) on the central pipe (4) along its length. The fins (5.1) are comprised of removable planar fins in order to enable them to be displaceable on the central pipe (4) and to provide mounting ease. There are at least two supports (5.2), which are located on the side of the fins (5.1) that corresponds to the central pipe (4) to provide removability feature to the fins (5.1), and which comprise tabs that enable them to fit into and be attached to the holes on the walls of the central pipe (4). The fin (5.1) supports (5.2) are preferably attached such that two holes will be closed and two holes will be empty along the length of the central pipe (4). In fins (5.1) with larger structure, the arrangement can be made such that two holes remain in between the supports (5.2). In order to enable the fins (5.1) to be large and to enable the fibers (2) to be attached from a larger surface, a distance of two holes is left between the supports (5.2) of the same fin (5.1). In one embodiment of the invention, the fins (5.1) are perforated in order to provide turbulent flow and homogenous distribution in fluid passages. Since the fibers (2) are positioned between the fins (5.1) of the separators (5), they are separated so as to form bundles. A net (12) is enveloped around the fibers (2) in order to fix the fiber (2) bundles and to prevent them from getting scattered. In addition to forming bundles of fibers (2), it is also the function of the fins (5.1) to fix the net (12) that envelopes the fibers (2) and to leave a space/distance between the fibers (2) and the main body (3). Preference of the fins (5.1) to be in a fragmented structure along the length of the central pipe (4) is because it provides mounting ease and also enables fixing of the fibers to be more effective. Presence of a space/distance between the fibers (2) and the main body (3) by means of the fins (5.1) prevents the fibers (2) at the outer side from getting easily damaged. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the supports (5.2) of the fins (5.1) are in the form of a cylinder with a diameter of 6 mm and length of 1.2 mm, and have at least one node serving as a tab for the fins (5.1) to be attached to the central pipe (4). These nodes provided on the supports (5.2) of the fins (5.1) serve as a lock upon fitting into the central pipe (4). By means of these nodes, the fins (5.1) are enabled to have high strength and pressure resistance.

The number of the fins (5.1) placed along the length of the central pipe (4) is preferred to be less than ¼ of the number of holes provided on the central pipe (4). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the separators (5) comprise 6 fins (5.1). The fibers (2) are arranged such that one fiber (2) bundle enters in between two fins (5.1) in each separator (5) unit. Accordingly, 6 fiber (2) bundles are placed in between 6 fins.

By means of the fact that the central pipe (4) and the fins (5.1) of the separators (5) are perforated; the accumulating particles that cause clogging in the fibers (2) during filtration process are enabled to be easily removed by reverse washing (since it enables operation in reverse direction). In addition to this, since the holes (used in cleaning) enable the air to be dispersed effectively and evenly, formation of air bubble is enabled. Furthermore, the holes on the fins (5.1) facilitate passages thereby allowing peripheral flow.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there are lugs (5.3), which are provided on the corners of the sides of the separator (5) fins (5.1) farther away from the central pipe (4), and which enable to attach the net (12) that envelops the fibers (2) and comprise a recess and a notch that extends away from the net (12) such that it grips the net (12) threads entering into the said recess. The lugs (5.3) determine the arrangement limit of the fibers (2) by serving as a guide. Thus, the fibers (2) are prevented from friction in the main body (3) comprised of a PVC pipe and thereby are ensured not to be damaged. There is preferably an L-shaped notch on the lugs (5.3) in order to prevent slipping of the net (12) that envelopes the fibers (2). The short end of these notches is 2 mm and the long end thereof is 7 mm. The net (12), which is attached to the notch from the short end, moves up and down at the long end at an area of 7 mm thereby enables the fibers (2) to oscillate while being held together. Due to the force that will be produced as a result of the feed water (BS) filling into the main body (3) and the increase in the pressure on the fibers (2), the fibers (2) will move. By means of the flexibility tolerance of the net (12) in the notch, this movement is organized and thereby the fibers (2) are enabled to be held together while also increasing their mechanical strength. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, outer diameter of the hollow fibers (2) in the main body (3) used in the module (1) is 0.8 to 1.8 mm, while the inner diameter thereof is 0.7 to 1.2 mm and wall thickness is 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm. While generally single bore fibers are preferred in the studies developed within the scope of the invention, in a different embodiment of the invention, hollow fibers (2) with multi-bore structure are used. The hollow fibers (2) are configured to perform outside-in and inside-out filtration according to the production conditions and properties of the feed water (BS). By means of the hollow fiber membrane module (1) of the present invention, filtration from outside to inside or from inside to outside of the fibers (2) can be performed.

In the hollow fiber membrane module of the present invention; the polymers in the structure of the hollow fibers (2) arranged within the main body (3) are selected from the group comprising cellulose acetate, polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyacrylonitrile, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, Teflon and polyvinylidene fluoride. Preferably polyvinylidene fluoride is used in the structure of the fibers (2) because of its property of operating in high pressure, wide pH and temperature range.

The main connection part (7) used in the hollow fiber membrane module (1) of the present invention has a stepped form comprised of layers with different diameters and the diameters of the steps decrease towards the outer cap (6). This way, the pressure applied on the potting resin (7.3), which is formed from special components and is used in the main connection part (7) for fixing the fibers (2), is decreased, and the material fixing the fiber is prevented from mechanically going out. Despite the pressure applied on the potting resin (7.3) used for fixing the fibers (2), the potting resin (7.3) attaches more firmly to the surface of the main connection part (7) by means of the stepped form of the main connection part (7), and by showing more resistance against the pressure applied does not flow/slip. In the hollow fiber membrane module (1) of the present invention, preferably 2 epdm O-ring gaskets (10) of different diameters are fixed on the complementary piece (8) for ensuring sealing and pressure resistance between the main body (3) and the outer cap (6). The outer cap (6) is mounted on the complementary piece (8).

In the hollow fiber membrane module (1) of the present invention, the outer caps (6) can be flat (rectangular prism) or in spherical form when looked from outside. However, as it is the case in all of the hollow fiber membrane modules (1) of the invention, an outer cap (6) having a spherical inner structure is preferred so that the inner pressure is distributed equally. In order to be able to place the module (1) more firmly on a structure that will be used as a frame during vertical installation of the module (1) at site without damaging the horizontal pipe (6.1) and the vertical pipe (6.2) on the outer cap (6); the support legs (6.4) fixed on the outer cap (6) are used. The horizontal pipe (6.1) and the vertical pipe (6.2) can be sealed with a blind plug if desired. In the hollow fiber membrane module (1), the module (1) of the present invention can be operated in both blind plug model filtration and crossflow filtration processes by means of the fact that the horizontal pipe (6.1) and the vertical pipe (6.2) can be sealed. Additionally, by means of this sealing, the clean water passage taking place through the fibers (2) due to pressure difference can be modified as outside-in and inside-out configurations. The horizontal pipe (6.1) or the vertical pipe (6.2) on the outer cap (6) can be configured differently such that they can be both on the top, one on top and the other on the side, both on the side or on the sides with 90 degree angle therebetween. The hollow fiber membrane module (1) of the present invention has an entirely asymmetrical structure suitable for outside-in and inside-out treatment. By means of the asymmetrical structure, it can work in crossflow and blind plug flow models (Figure 1). Connection and mounting of the hollow fiber membrane module (1) of the present invention is easier compared to the other membrane modules.

By means of the hollow fiber membrane module (1) of the present invention, better water flow and distribution, resistance to a higher inner pressure and mechanical strength and sealing are provided. Thanks to the fact that it complies with outside-in configuration model and crossflow filtration process, they can be used as final settling tanks for waste waters with very high contamination load and in conventional waste water treatment processes; and thus the hollow fiber membrane module (1) enables to use less space. Furthermore, presence of these properties together enables less colloidal particle, macromolecule and bacterial contamination accumulation, and easy waste disposal. As a result, a hollow fiber membrane module (1) which enables a higher performance treatment is obtained.

In another embodiment of the invention, the central pipe (4) located inside the main body (3) is not perforated. The feed water (BS) proceeds within the closed central pipe (4) and is then distributed within the main body (3) through the open part at the end of the central pipe (4). In the non-perforated central pipe (4) embodiment described above, there is an opening which remains between the potting resins (7.3) of the central pipe (4) and which is located at the part facing the inner volume of the main body (3). The feed water (BS) entering through the vertical pipe (6.2) is filled into the inner volume of the main body (3) through the said opening of the central pipe (4). Preferably the said opening is positioned so that it is on the part closest to the topmost potting resin (7.3) at the end farthest away to the base of the hollow fiber membrane module (1) after it is placed - vertically; thus the period of time used for filtration is enabled to be effectively increased. After this stage, similar to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the clean water which is filtered via the walls of the fibers and which reaches the channels within the fibers (2) move within these channels and pass the potting resin (7.3). The clean water which fills into the inner volume of both of the outer caps (6) is taken out of the module (1) through the horizontal pipe (6.1) provided on the said outer caps (6). As an alternative to this application, the feed water (BS) can also be provided through the horizontal pipe (6.1) and the same system can be operated in a reverse manner. In this case, the feed water (BS) passes through the channels of the fibers (2) and the filtered clean water passes through the wall of the fibers (2) and fills into the inner volume of the main body (3). The clean water collected in the main body (3) enters through the opening of the central pipe (4) and is taken out of the module (1) via the vertical pipe (6.2). In both of the above described embodiments, the feed water (BS), which leaves from the vertical pipe (6.2) of the other outer cap (6) if it has entered through the vertical pipe (6.2) or from the horizontal pipe (6.1) of the other outer cap (6) if it has entered through the horizontal pipe (6.1) without being processed as the horizontal pipes (6.1) and the vertical pipes (6.2) at the outer caps (6) are open, are returned to the module with a reverse cycle. In these embodiments, the vertical pipe (6.2) and the horizontal pipe (6.2) on the outer cap (6) can be used by being sealed with a blind plug. The hollow fiber membrane module (1) of the present invention is used for advanced physical treatment of waste waters, surface waters, underground waters and sea water in ultrafiltration scale and comprises

- at least one central pipe (4) which is positioned in the main body (3) such that it remains between the fibers (2), and which has a plurality of holes and at least one opening on the walls thereof in order to enable the flows between the inner volume of the main body (3) and its own inner volume,

- at least one separator (5) comprising at least three fins (5.1) which are attached to the central pipe (4) by being engaged from one side thereof to the holes on the central pipe (4) and extend vertically between the walls of the central pipe (4) and the walls of the main body (3), and which thus enable the fibers (2) to be held together without stretching/getting scattered and which are at the same height throughout the length of the central pipe (4),

- at least one outer cap (6); which enables to close two open ends of the main body (3) and has a semi-spherical inner volume and a clamp lip (6.3) in the form of a ring extending outwardly from the sides of the spherical section; and which comprises thereon at least one horizontal pipe (6.1), whose one end faces outside while the other faces its inner volume, and at least one vertical pipe (6.2), whose one end faces outside while the other faces the inner volume of the central pipe (4), which pipes enable inlet and outlet of water, cleaning chemical solutions or air,

- at least one main connection part (7) in the form of a cylindrical pipe, which is positioned between the outer cap (6) and the main body (3) concentrically with the main body (3), and which is comprised of - at least one lower section (7.1) which is located at the part closer to the main body (3) and whose inner diameter is equal to the outer diameter of the main body (3) and thus into which the main body (3) can enter,

at least one complementary piece (8); which has an inner diameter same as the outer diameter of the upper section (7.2) of the main connection piece (7); and which is comprised of a cylindrical pipe (8.1), which, upon being engaged onto the upper section (7.2) so as to be concentric with the main connection part (7), is restricted with the wide diameter of the lower section (7.1), and at least one clamp lip ring (8.2) which is in the form of a ring that extends from the walls of the said cylindrical pipe (8.1) on the surface of the cylindrical pipe (8.1) that is farther away from the main connection part (7) and which has the same outer diameter with that of the clamp lip (6.3) on the outer cap (6) and is positioned such that the opposing surfaces thereof with the clamp lip (6.3) contact each other, at least one clamp (9), which comprises at least two pieces that complement each other to form a circular form and have C- section and connecting members that connect the said pieces, and which, upon gripping together the clamp lip ring (8.2) of the complementary piece (8) and the clamp lip (6.3) of the outer cap (6) that contact each other after mounting, enables the complementary piece (8) and the outer cap (6) to be attached to each other.

Claims

A hollow fiber membrane module (1) of the present, which is used for advanced physical treatment of waste waters, surface waters, underground waters and sea water in ultrafiltration scale, comprising

- a main body (3) in the form of a cylindrical pipe in which fibers (2) extending along the length of it are positioned, and characterized by

- at least one outer cap (6); which enables to close two open ends of the main body (3) and has a semi-spherical inner volume and a clamp lip (6.3) in the form of a ring extending outwardly from the sides of the spherical section; and which comprises thereon at least one horizontal pipe (6.1), whose one end faces outside while the other faces its inner volume, and at least one vertical pipe (6.2), whose one end faces outside while the other faces the inner volume of the central pipe (4), which pipes enable inlet and outlet of water, cleaning chemical solutions or air, at least one main connection part (7) in the form of a cylindrical pipe, which is positioned between the outer cap (6) and the main body (3) concentrically with the main body (3), and which is comprised of

Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by a blind plug which enables to close (seal) the vertical pipe (6.2) located on one of the outer caps (6) and thus enables the feed water (BS) entering through the vertical pipe (6.2) on the other outer cap (6) to go out of the holes on the central pipe (4) and pass from outside of the fibers (2) into the fibers (2) and enable the filtration to be performed, and which enables the treated water (AS) to accumulate on the outer cap and to be discharged through the horizontal pipes (6.1).

Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by a blind plug which enables to close (seal) the horizontal pipe (6.1) located on one of the outer caps (6) and thus enables the feed water (BS) entering through the horizontal pipe (6.1) on the other outer cap (6) to enter from the ends of the fibers (2) facing the inner volume of the outer cap (6) and enables the filtration to be performed from inside to outside of the fibers (2), and which enables the treated water (AS) to enter through the holes on the central pipe (4) and to be discharged through the vertical pipes (6.2).

Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by the clamp (9) which is made of polyamide material so that it is resistant and sealing under high pressures.

Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by at least one complementary piece O-ring gasket (10), which is positioned between the clamp lip ring (8.2) of the complementary piece (8) and the clamp lip (6.3) of the outer cap (6) that contact each other, and which thus provides pressure resistance and sealing during operation between the surfaces contacting against the water pressure in the outer cap (6), and which has high resistance and can operate at a wide temperature and pH range, and which is made of an epdm material that is a harmless material to living beings and environment with its antibacterial structure.

6. Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by at least one vertical pipe O-ring gasket (11), which is made of epdm material, and which is positioned at the end of the vertical pipe (6.2) extending into the central pipe (4) between the outer surface of the vertical pipe (6.2) and the inner surface of the central pipe (4), and which thus enables to improve resistance and sealing of the connection point against the pressure of the fluid passing through the central pipe (4).

7. Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by at least one single piece wide-meshed woven net (12) made of ldpe (low density polyethylene) thread which envelops the fibers (2) within the main body (3) thereby enabling them not to be scattered but to be held together.

8. Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by the central pipe (4) and separator (5) fins (5.1) having holes for enabling turbulent flow and homogeneous distribution of the feed water (BS) within the main body (3).

9. Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 8, characterized by the central pipe (4) and separator (5) fins (5.1) which have circular or elliptical holes.

10. Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized by the central pipe (4) and separator (5) fins (5.1) which have holes arranged sequentially or in a staggered (irregular) manner.

11. Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 8, characterized by the central pipe (4) and separator (5) fins (5.1) having holes with diameters larger than 1 mm so that the large particles within the feed water (BS) do not clog the holes.

12. Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 11, characterized by the holes which are formed on the central pipe (4) wall and are at different heights, and of which there are 4 to 10 on each row according to the diameter of the central pipe (4).

13. Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by the fins (5.1) which are placed along the length of the central pipe (4) and the number of which is less than ¼ of the number of holes provided on the central pipe (4).

14. Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by at least three separators (5) which are located on the central pipe (4) along the length of the central pipe (4).

15. Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 1 or 13, characterized by at least two supports (5.2), which are located on the side of the fins (5.1) that corresponds to the central pipe (4) to provide the fins (5.1) the feature of being mounted on and removed from the central pipe (5), and which comprise tabs that enable them to fit into and be attached to the holes on the walls of the central pipe (4).

16. Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 15, characterized by the supports (5.2) which are attached such that two holes will be closed and two holes will be empty along the length of the central pipe (4) during mounting of the fin (5.1) to the central pipe (4).

17. Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 15, characterized by the supports (5.2) which are positioned on the same fin (5.1) such that there is a distance of two holes left between them to enable the fins (5.1) to be large and in order to enable the fibers (2) to be attached from a larger surface.

18. Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 15, characterized by the supports (5.2) which are in the form of a cylinder with a diameter of 6 mm and length of 1.2 mm, and which have at least one node serving as a tab for the fins (5.1) to be attached to the central pipe (4).

19. Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by at least one lug (5.3), which is provided on the corners of the side of a fin (5.1) farther away from the central pipe (4), and which enables to attach the net (12) that envelops the fibers (2), and comprises a recess and a notch that extends away from the net (12) such that it grips the net (12) threads entering into the said recess.

20. Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 19, characterized by the lug (5.3) having at least one notch which is preferably L- shaped for preventing slipping of the net (12) that envelopes the fibers (2) and which has a short end of 2 mm and long end of 7 mm.

21. Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by the hollow fibers (2) whose outer diameter is 0.8 to 1.8 mm, and inner diameter is 0.7 to 1.2 mm.

22. Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 21, characterized by the hollow fibers (2) whose wall thickness is 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm.

23. Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 22, characterized by hollow fibers (2) which are obtained from a material selected from the group comprising cellulose acetate, polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyacrylonitrile, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, Teflon, polyvinylidene fluoride and mixtures thereof.

24. Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 23, characterized by the hollow fibers (2) which are produced from polyvinylidene fluoride due to its property of operating in high pressure, wide pH and temperature range.

25. Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by the hollow fibers (2) having multi-bore structure.

26. Hollow fiber membrane module (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by the support legs (6.4) which are fixed on the outer cap (6) and used as supports in order to be able to place the module (1) more firmly on the frame during vertical installation at site without damaging the horizontal pipe (6.1) and the vertical pipe (6.2) on the outer cap (6).