A method for filtering a dairy product is used in a filter system that includes at least one pump loop having a pump and a filter, with the pump being arranged to feed a feed product to the filter for filtering the feed product and outputting a permeate product and a retentate product. The method includes supplying the feed product to the pump at a feed pressure, during a first operational mode in which the feed pressure is below a first predefined threshold, controlling the pump to operate at a first power that is within a first percentage range of a maximum rated power of the pump, and during a second operational mode in which the feed pressure is above the first predefined threshold, controlling the pump to operate within a second percentage range of the maximum rated power which is higher than the first percentage range.

A crossflow filter includes a rigid cylindrical inner wall and a rigid cylindrical outer wall with an inelastic filter membrane positioned therebetween defining a retentate channel inside the filter membrane and a permeate channel outside the filter membrane. Further, the filter includes transition channels shaped and connected to the inner and outer walls to deliver a flow of fluid from an inlet port to the retentate channel and to capture flow flowing longitudinally along the cylindrical inner and outer walls from both the retentate and permeate channels to respective outlet ports.

A dialyzer (15) includes a hollow fiber dialysis column (20), a liquid tubing section (12a), and a flow rate changing section (16a). The hollow fiber dialysis column (20) includes a hollow fiber membrane, a first flow channel that allows a dialysis target to flow internally of the hollow fiber membrane, and a second flow channel that allows an external liquid to flow externally of the hollow fiber membrane. The liquid tubing section (12a) tubes the dialysis target to an inlet (20a) of the first flow channel. The flow rate changing section (16a) is capable of changing a flow rate of the dialysis target at the dialysis target flowing out of an outlet (20b) of the first flow channel.

A crossflow filter includes a rigid cylindrical inner wall and a rigid cylindrical outer wall inner with an inelastic filter membrane positioned therebetween defining a retentate channel inside the filter membrane and a permeate channel outside the filter membrane. Further, the filter includes transition channels shaped and connected to the inner and outer walls to deliver a flow of fluid from an inlet port to the retentate channel and to capture flow flowing longitudinally along the cylindrical inner and outer walls from both the retentate and permeate channels to respective outlet ports.

The present invention relates to a system and process for treating a feedwater wherein the system includes at least one RO or nanofiltration unit that receives a feed under high pressure and produces a concentrate that is directed to and held at low pressure in a concentrate accumulator. Generally the permeate or the inlet feedwater is maintained at a constant flow rate. Periodically the system is switched from a mode 1 or normal operating process to a mode 2 where the concentrate is drained from the concentrate accumulator. However, in mode 2, the feedwater is still directed into the system and through the RO or nanofiltration unit which produces the permeate and the concentrate.

A dialyzer (15) includes a hollow fiber dialysis column (20), a liquid tubing section (12a), and a flow rate changing section (16a). The hollow fiber dialysis column (20) includes a hollow fiber membrane, a first flow channel that allows a dialysis target to flow internally of the hollow fiber membrane, and a second flow channel that allows an external liquid to flow externally of the hollow fiber membrane. The liquid tubing section (12a) tubes the dialysis target to an inlet (20a) of the first flow channel. The flow rate changing section (16a) is capable of changing a flow rate of the dialysis target at the dialysis target flowing out of an outlet (20b) of the first flow channel.

A diafiltration system comprises a fluid treatment assembly comprising two or more fluid treatment modules, the fluid treatment assembly comprising a feed inlet, a permeate outlet, and a retentate outlet; each module comprising a cross flow treatment assembly including an ultrafiltration membrane and having a feed side and a permeate side, and a diafiltration fluid distribution plate comprising a diafiltration fluid feed inlet and a common feed permeate/diafiltration fluid permeate outlet port; two or more diafiltration fluid conduits, each conduit in fluid communication with a respective single diafiltration fluid feed inlet; and, a diafiltration fluid pump comprising at least a first multiple channel pump head having at least two channels including separate channels for separate conduits in fluid communication with respective single diafiltration fluid feed inlets, wherein the pump provides simultaneously controlled diafiltration fluid flow rates through each of the conduits to the respective diafiltration fluid feed inlets.

A method for controlling a membrane distillation system includes determining whether there is a day time or a night time at a location of a solar collector system associated with the membrane distillation system; applying a first control mode during the day time to a flow velocity of a feed used by the membrane distillation system; and applying a second control mode, different from the first control scheme, during the night time, to the feed. The first control scheme is a model-free mode.

A spiral wound module assembly including: a plurality of spiral wound modules aligned within a pressure vessel with a first module located adjacent the first end and a second module located adjacent the second end, a flow plate including opposing first and second sides positioned within the pressure vessel between the first spiral wound module and the first end of the pressure vessel with the first side facing the first spiral wound module and the second side facing the first end, and wherein the flow plate includes a plurality of holes passing from the first side to the second side which create a pressure drop in fluid passing from the first spiral wound module and the closer of the feed inlet port and concentrate outlet port; and a differential pressure sensor adapted to measure differences in pressure between fluid located on the opposing sides of the flow plate.

The present invention relates to a system and process for treating a feedwater wherein the system includes at least one RO or nanofiltration unit that receives a feed under high pressure and produces a concentrate that is directed to and held at low pressure in a concentrate accumulator. Generally the permeate or the inlet feedwater is maintained at a constant flow rate. Periodically the system is switched from a mode 1 or normal operating process to a mode 2 where the concentrate is drained from the concentrate accumulator. However, in mode 2, the feedwater is still directed into the system and through the RO or nanofiltration unit which produces the permeate and the concentrate.