Monolithic Membrane Filters

Abstract

An additive manufacturing method for producing a component having at least partially or at least locally a porous material structure includes providing a porous or porosable base material, applying the porous or porosable base material to build up the component, and adjusting a porosity of the porous or porosable base material during the applying.

Claims

1.-38. (canceled)

39. An additive manufacturing method for producing a component (50) having at least partially or at least locally a porous material structure (60), comprising the steps of: providing (100, 102, 104, 106, 108) a porous or porosable base material (70, 70a, 71, 72, 73, 74); applying (120, 122, 124, 126) the porous or porosable base material to build up the component; and adjusting (110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 119) a porosity of the porous or porosable base material during the applying.

40. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 39, wherein the step of applying (120, 122, 124, 126) the porous or porosable base material (70, 70a, 71, 72, 73, 74) comprises a dotwise, linewise or layerwise application of the porous or porosable base material in a point-target matrix or in a layer-target matrix.

41. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 40, wherein the applying (120, 122, 124, 126) comprises: approaching (120) a point to be approached of the point-target matrix at which the porous or porosable base material (70, 70a, 71, 72, 73, 74) is to be applied; adjusting (110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 119) the porous or porosable base material at the point to be approached of the point-target matrix; and applying the adjusted porous or porosable base material at the point.

42. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 39, further comprising: applying at least one first point of a point-target matrix and adjusting (110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 119) the porous or porosable base material at the at least one first point such that a porous material structure (60) is formed at the at least one first point; and applying (120) at least one second point of the point-target matrix and adjusting (110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 119) the porous or porosable base material (70, 70a, 71, 72, 73, 74) at the at least one second point such that an impermeable material structure (64) is formed at the at least one second point.

43. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 40, wherein points of the point-target matrix are arranged in deposition layers and wherein the applying (120) of the points of the point-target matrix is carried out in layers such that first points of a first deposition layer are applied and subsequently points of a second deposition layer are applied.

44. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 43, wherein the step of applying (120) comprises depositing the porous or porosable base material (70, 70a, 71, 72, 73, 74) such that: at least one deposit layer has regions of impermeable material structure (64); and/or at least one deposition layer comprises regions with porous material structure (60); and/or at least one deposition layer comprises both impermeable material structure (64) and porous material structure (60), which is applied with the same porous or porosable base material.

45. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 39, wherein the applying (120) of the porous or porosable base material (70, 70a, 71, 72, 73, 74) is carried out such that: the partially or locally porous material structure (60) of the component (50) is chaotically arranged or built up; and/or the partially or locally porous material structure (60) of the component (50) is formed in or on the component with the applying (120) of the base material and has a non-repetitive structure or arrangement.

46. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 39, comprising at least one of: the base material (70, 70a, 71, 72, 73, 74) is adjusted to be intrinsically porous; the porous material structure (60) has an open porosity; an impermeable material structure (64) has a closed porosity; the porous material structure (60) is characterized in that it is set to be at least partially permeable for a fluid or components of the fluid; and the porous material structure (60) is characterized in that there is a lower resistance for a flow or penetration of the fluid through the porous material structure than in the impermeable material structure (64).

47. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 39, wherein the porous material structure (60) has an open microporous or mesoporous structure with an average pore size smaller than 40 μm.

48. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 39, wherein the porous material structure (60) has an average volume porosity of 20% or greater.

49. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 39, wherein an impermeable material structure (64) has a higher density than the porous material structure (60) and wherein a ratio of a density in the impermeable material structure to the porous material structure is 1.2:1.

50. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 39, wherein the step of adjusting (110) comprises at least one: admixing (112) additive (75) or filler (76) to the base material for adjusting the porosity at a moment of material application; adjusting curing parameters (114) for a respective point (50a) of a point-target matrix to be applied; selecting (116) a base material to be applied from a plurality of at least two base materials, wherein the at least two base materials can be supplied alternately or simultaneously; providing (118) a location-dependent radiation intensity (83c) by a radiation source (83a) which is directed onto the material application; and location-dependent adjustment (119) of a light absorption capability of the porous or porosable base material such that the component construction can be carried out by a location-independent radiation source (83a).

51. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 50, wherein at least one of polymeric or inorganic nanoparticles are used as additive (75) or an inorganic or organic filler is used as filler (76).

52. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 39, wherein pores (31, 31A, 31B) of the porous or porosable base material (70, 71, 72, 73, 74) are shaped or prepared during the applying such that: the pores form a coherent porous material structure (60) in the component (50); and/or the pores have a rounded or potato-shaped individual structure.

53. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 39, wherein the porous material structure (60) permeably separates a shell side of the porous structure from a carrier side of the porous structure.

54. The additive manufacturing method according to claim 39, wherein the porous or porosable base material comprises a solvent and wherein polymeric constituents of the base material are bound or dissolved in the solvent.

55. A monolithic component (50), comprising: a first end face (2) and a second end face (2a) opposite the first end face (2); and a porous structure (60) arranged between the first and second end faces and integrally constructed and connected to the first and second end faces, wherein the porous structure is at least partially or locally permeable; wherein the porous structure permeably separates a shell side of the porous structure from a carrier side of the porous structure at least partially and/or at least locally; wherein a carrier fluid is providable on the carrier side; wherein the porous structure is configured to ensure a material transfer of the carrier fluid with the shell side.

56. The monolithic component (50) according to claim 55, wherein the monolithic component (50) is configured as a membrane element (62) for a filter device or is configured as a filter device and is monolithically constructed with the porous structure (60) as the membrane element.

57. The monolithic component (50) according to claim 55, further comprising an enclosure (5) formed monolithically with the porous structure (60) and the first and second end faces, wherein the porous structure is enclosed by the enclosure together with the first and second end faces.

58. The monolithic component (50) according to claim 55, wherein: a shell fluid is providable on the shell side (10) such that both the carrier fluid and the shell fluid are flowable in or through the monolithic component and the carrier fluid is separated from the shell fluid by the porous structure (60); and/or the porous structure (60) is semi-permeable or selectively permeable; and/or the porous structure (60) is permeable for substances and/or particles having a size smaller than 10 μm.

59. The monolithic component (50) according to claim 55, wherein the monolithic component (50) is configured to receive and discharge the carrier fluid on the carrier side (1) and a shell fluid on the shell side (10) such that the carrier fluid and the shell fluid are flowable through the monolithic component to provide a carrier flow and a shell flow in the monolithic component.

60. The monolithic component (50) according to claim 55, wherein the porous structure (60) comprises filter capillaries (1).

61. The monolithic component (50) according to claim 55, wherein: the first end face (2) is plate-shaped and the porous structure (60) is integrally formed on the first end face; and/or the second end face (2a) is plate-shaped and the porous structure (60) is integrally formed on the second end face.

62. The monolithic component (50) according to claim 55, wherein the porous structure (60) comprises a plurality of elongated membrane tubes or filter capillaries (1) integrally connecting the first end face (2) to the second end face (2a).

63. The monolithic component (50) according to claim 62, wherein: the membrane tubes or filter capillaries (1) have an inner side, wherein the inner side forms the carrier side; and/or the membrane tubes or filter capillaries have an outer side, wherein the outer side forms the shell side (10).

64. The monolithic component (50) according to claim 62, further comprising: the membrane tubes or filter capillaries (1) comprise a tubular configuration; and/or the membrane tubes or filter capillaries (1) are extended in an essentially straight tubular manner; and/or the membrane tubes or filter capillaries (1) have an intertwined configuration and are extended in a meandering or helical manner.

65. The monolithic component (50) according to claim 62, wherein the membrane tubes or filter capillaries (1) each have a first and a second orifice (3), respectively, through which a fluid is flowable and which are respectively integral with the first and the second end faces (2, 2a).

66. The monolithic component (50) according to claim 65, wherein the respective orifice (3) has a flow-conducting surface design (4, 4a) which is constructed concentrically around the orifice and merges integrally into the respective first and second end face (2, 2a).

67. The monolithic component (50) according to claim 55, further comprising: a first carrier fluid collection port (7) monolithically formed with the first end face (2) and the porous structure (60); and/or second carrier fluid collection port (7a) monolithically formed with the second end face (2a) and the porous structure (60); and/or a shell fluid port (8, 8a) monolithically formed with the porous structure (60).

68. The monolithic component (50) according to claim 55, wherein the porous structure (60) further comprises at least one connection, cross-connection, or stiffener (17, 17a) monolithically formed with the porous structure to increase a mechanical stability of the porous structure.

69. The monolithic component (50) according to claim 68, wherein the at least one connection, cross-connection, or stiffener (17, 17a) directly integrally connects the porous structure (60) to an enclosure (5) formed monolithically with the porous structure (60) and the first and second end faces, wherein the porous structure is enclosed by the enclosure together with the first and second end faces.

70. The monolithic component (50) according to claim 55, wherein the porous structure (60) comprises at least one of at least one turbulator (29, 29a) for mixing the carrier fluid and/or for mixing a shell fluid, or a length-variable flow cross-section for the carrier fluid and/or the shell fluid.

71. The monolithic component (50) according to claim 55, wherein the porous structure (60) has: a higher or lower porosity and/or pore width distribution in areas or in part; and/or impermeable areas (64), permeable areas and areas having a different porosity compared to both the impermeable areas and the permeable areas.

72. The monolithic component (50) according to claim 55, wherein the first and/or the second end face (2, 2a) comprises an integral fluid barrier or is configured as an integral fluid barrier and wherein the fluid barrier separates a flow of the carrier fluid from a shell flow.

73. The monolithic component (50) according to claim 55, wherein the monolithic component is constructed from the porous or porosable base material.

74. The monolithic component (50) according to claim 73, wherein the porous or porosable base material comprises at least: inorganic constituents; and/or polymers.

75. The monolithic component (50) according to claim 55, wherein the monolithic component (50) is manufactured by the method of claim 39.

76. A monolithically constructed filter module (50) for a device for separating constituents from a fluid, comprising: a first end face and a second end face (2, 2a) opposite the first end face (2); a filter housing (5, 62) formed integrally with the first and the second end faces; a porous structure (60, 64) arranged in the filter housing and integrally constructed and connected to the first and second end faces and the filter housing, wherein the porous structure permeable at least in part or locally; a carrier fluid collecting connection (7, 7a); and a shell fluid connection (8, 8a); wherein the first end face and the second end face are each an integral fluid barrier for preventing a crossflow between the carrier fluid collecting connection and the shell fluid connection; wherein the porous structure permeably separates shell side (10) of the porous structure from a carrier side (1) of the porous structure at least partially and/or at least locally; wherein a carrier fluid is providable on the carrier side; wherein the porous structure is configured to ensure a material transfer of the carrier fluid with the shell side.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0102] FIGS. 1, 1a, 1b are perspective views of a monolithic tube bundle as a component with detail sections;

[0103] FIGS. 2, 2a, 2b illustrate a monolithic component in sectional view;

[0104] FIGS. 3, 3a, 3b illustrate a monolithic component with housing;

[0105] FIGS. 4, 4a, 4b illustrate a monolithic component as insert module;

[0106] FIGS. 5, 5a, 5b illustrate a monolithic component as a filter module;

[0107] FIGS. 6, 6a are perspective views of a monolithic component with bars;

[0108] FIGS. 7, 7a, 7b illustrate a monolithic component as cartouche with bars as detailed view;

[0109] FIG. 8 illustrates a monolithic component with membrane tubes arranged in triple helixes in perspective view;

[0110] FIG. 8a illustrates a segment of a membrane tube bundle arranged in triple helix;

[0111] FIGS. 9a, 9b, 9c are displays of a segment of a meander-shaped membrane tube;

[0112] FIGS. 10 to 10e illustrate a monolithic component with variable diaphragm tube diameter;

[0113] FIGS. 11-11e illustrate a further example of a monolithic component with variable tube geometry;

[0114] FIGS. 12a-12e illustrate a monolithic component with internals or internal structures (static mixers);

[0115] FIGS. 13-13b illustrate a monolithic component with applied coating;

[0116] FIGS. 14-16 are representations of various piles which can be produced using the processes are achievable;

[0117] FIG. 17 is an example schematic for various process sequences for the production of a monolithic filter module;

[0118] FIG. 18 illustrates an application device for applying powdered base material;

[0119] FIG. 19 illustrates a heating furnace for the pretreatment of solid base material;

[0120] FIG. 20 illustrates a mixing device;

[0121] FIG. 21 illustrates a further application device with feeder;

[0122] FIG. 22 illustrates a plant with two selectable application devices;

[0123] FIG. 23 illustrates a plant with excitation or activation arrangement;

[0124] FIG. 24 illustrates a setting the location-dependent light absorption capacity;

[0125] FIG. 25 illustrates a further application device;

[0126] FIG. 26 illustrates another example of an application device;

[0127] FIG. 27 illustrates a combustion chamber with green body;

[0128] FIG. 28 illustrates a wash bath for washing out production aids; and

[0129] FIG. 29 illustrates a flushing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0130] Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a monolithic component 50 is shown, which has a first end face 2 and a second end face 2a as well as a bundle of membrane tubes 1. The two end faces 2, 2a are integrally constructed with the membrane tubes 1 and are directly connected. The diaphragm tubes 1 and end faces 2 are manufactured successively in one process step. For example, a subsequent connection by joining, welding, gluing, clamping or the like is not required or not produced. The end faces 2 and membrane tubes 1 are made of the same, similar, or at least compatible material, so that end faces 2 and membrane tubes 1 can be constructed in one piece. The membrane tubes 1 have membrane inlets 3 which merge into the respective end face 2, 2a. The membrane inlets 3 are therefore at the same time part of the respective membrane tube 1 as well as part of the respective end face 2, 2a. In this example, the diaphragm inlets 3 therefore also represent the respective connection point between the diaphragm tube 1 and the end face 2, 2a, so that mechanical forces can also act on the diaphragm inlet. The membrane inlet 3 can thus be designed to be optimized in terms of mechanical stability in order to reduce the tendency to break in the area of the transition from the end face 2, 2a to the respective membrane tube 1. The membrane tubes 1 together form the membrane or membrane filter 60a.

[0131] FIG. 1a shows a detail section on the end face 2a as shown in FIG. 1. The diaphragm inlets 3 have a hydraulically optimized rounded design with a rounded funnel area 4a. The rounded transitions 4a from the diaphragm tubes 1 to the end faces 2, 2a also ensure a mechanically favorable coupling of the diaphragm tubes 1 to the respective end faces 2, 2a.

[0132] FIG. 1b shows a detailed section of the end face 2, with the rounded transitions 4 visible from its exterior in the perspective view.

[0133] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view in a longitudinal section through the monolithic component 50 along the line marked A-A in FIG. 2b.

[0134] FIG. 2b shows a top view of the end face 2 of the monolithic component 50. FIG. 2 shows three cut-open membrane tubes 1 as well as the hollow spaces forming the shell side 10 located between the membrane tubes. The end faces 2, 2a have a connection collar 58, for example in order to couple the monolithic component 50 to a further connection piece (not shown).

[0135] FIG. 2a shows detail “B” from FIG. 2, with the diaphragm inlets 3 of the face 2 shown more clearly. Between each diaphragm tube 1 to the next diaphragm tube 1 is the shell side 10. The diaphragm inlets 3 are rounded to improve the mechanical load capacity, as well as the flow pattern, at this point.

[0136] With reference to FIG. 3, a monolithic component 50 is shown with an inlet 7 and an outlet 7a at the respective end face 2, 2a of the monolithic component 50. Membrane tubes 1 extend from the end face 2 to the end face 2a and connect the two end faces 2, 2a in one piece. Furthermore, the monolithic component also has an outer side 5, in the form of an enclosure 5, which also seals off the enveloping side 10 from the environment, for example in a fluid-tight manner, if one disregards the connections provided on purpose for the shell fluid inlet or shell fluid outlet 8, 8a.

[0137] FIG. 3b shows a top view of the filter 50 shown with FIG. 3, with the line A-A illustrating the sectional plane in which FIG. 3 is shown as a sectional view. A shell fluid collection port 56 is arranged on one side of the monolithic component 50 as an inlet or outlet for the shell fluid. The shell fluid collecting connection 56 can be designed as a flange, so that a connecting line for the shell fluid can be connected there, for example by means of a screw connection. A carrier fluid collecting connection 52 is arranged on one longitudinal side, for example on the inlet 7, which can also be designed as a flange for the screwed or clamped connection of a connecting line for the carrier fluid.

[0138] FIG. 3a shows detail “B” of FIG. 3, further clarifying the structure of the inlet 7. The inlet 7 forms a carrier fluid chamber 54, in which the carrier fluid is supplied to or discharged from the individual membrane tubes 1 communicating with the carrier fluid chamber 54. The inlet 7 is formed integrally with the end face 2 and integrally with the housing 5 and the membrane tubes 1. The membrane tubes 1 are thereby formed in that the side walls 9 of the membrane tubes emerge in one piece from the end face 2 and are extended to form a tubular structure. Inside the membrane tube 1, that is, on the inside of the side surface 9 of the membrane tube, the carrier fluid can flow through to pass from one end face 2 to the opposite end face 2a. In other words, the carrier fluid typically flows from the end face 2 to the end face 2a (or in the reverse direction), with no direct fluid dynamic communication between the carrier side and the shell side, or, if possible, it is prevented. Rather, the side surface 9 of the membrane tube provides a porous surface to ensure substance transfer between the shell fluid on the shell side 10 and the carrier fluid in the membrane tube 1. The side walls 9 of the membrane tubes 1 therefore form the porous structure 60, which is designed to be permeable, semi-permeable or selectively permeable. The transitions 6, 6a between housing 5 and membrane end plates 2, 2a are also rounded. A subsequent or non-material connection by joining, welding, bonding, clamping or the like is not required in a particularly advantageous manner. End faces 2, 2a and housing 5 are preferably made of the same, or at least compatible, material in order to ensure the monolithic structure of the component 50.

[0139] The fluid to be separated, or the carrier fluid, enters the housing 5 via the inlet 7, and there more precisely into the membrane tubes 1. It enters the respective membrane tube 1 via the membrane inlet 3, flows through the membrane tubes 1 from their first side to their second side, and at the other end of the housing the fluid exits again at the opposite end face 2a. The filtrate penetrates the walls 9 of the membrane tubes 1, i.e., through the porous structure 60, is collected in the filtrate chamber 10, if applicable, and can leave the housing via one of the filtrate connections 8.

[0140] Looking at FIG. 1 together with FIG. 3, it becomes clear that a membrane tube bundle 1a according to FIG. 1 can also be designed as a porous structure 60 as an insert for a separate housing 62, as further specified, for example, with FIGS. 4 to 5.

[0141] As can be seen in FIG. 4, a groove 11 can be provided on the end faces 2, 2a for a possible seal. In this example, at least the membrane tube bundle 1a consisting of the plurality of membrane tubes 1 is formed integrally with the end faces 2, 2a, so that the separation of the carrier fluid from the shell fluid is completely ensured by the monolithic component 50 and the susceptible potting compound can be dispensed with here. This already represents a significant further development compared to the known dialysis filters.

[0142] FIG. 4a shows detail “B” from FIG. 4, further illustrating the structure with the groove 11 in the connection collar 58. The connection collar 58 is shown rounded out with the fillets 4, 4a as shown in detail with reference to FIG. 1.

[0143] FIG. 4b shows a top view of the second end face 2a, with line A-A indicating the sectional plane for FIG. 4.

[0144] Referring to FIG. 5, a further embodiment of the monolithic component 50 is shown, which has the two end faces 2, 2a formed integrally with the porous structure 60. An inlet piece 13 and an outlet piece 13a are flange-mounted by means of a clamping ring 15. The housing 62 is designed as a separate component which is slipped over the porous structure 60 in the form of a tube.

[0145] FIG. 5b shows a top view of the face 2a for this purpose, with the section line A-A illustrating the section plane of FIG. 5. The carrier fluid collection port 52 is arranged concentrically to allow a feed line with the porous structure 60 and thus with the filter element consisting of the membrane tubes 1.

[0146] FIG. 5a shows detail “B” from FIG. 5, showing an exemplary structure for connecting the monolithic component to the inlet piece 13. The separate housing 62 is sealingly applied to the flat sealing element 14 via the sealing element 12 and is clampingly connected to the feed piece 13 by means of the clamping ring 15. An overhang 16 of the feed piece 13 improves the axial fixation of the diaphragm tube bundle 1 in the separate housing 62. The clamping ring 15 can be subjected to an appropriate contact pressure force to create a sealing connection between the separate housing 62 and the feed piece 13. In this example, an identical connection is also implemented at the second end face 2a. Of course, one end face 2, 2a could also be designed integrally with an inlet 7 and one side as separate components, whereby it proves advantageous if the housing is designed as a monolithic housing 5 with at least one end face 2, 2a and the porous structure 60.

[0147] With reference to FIG. 6, a further embodiment is shown in perspective view, wherein the monolithic component 50 is characterized in that it has support structures 17 in order to achieve mechanical reinforcement of the monolithic component 50. Particularly in the case of brittle membrane materials, such as ceramics, the connection of the individual membrane tubes 1 to one another and thus the sensitivity to impacts with the risk of membrane rupture can be significantly improved.

[0148] FIG. 6a shows the detail marked “A”, with rods 17 being shown which represent a suitable connection to bring about the aforementioned mechanical stability improvement. Such rods 17 or a support structure 17 can also be continued up to the enclosure 5, cf. for example FIG. 7a.

[0149] FIG. 7 shows another illustration of a monolithic component 50 with support structure 17 in a side view, with the enclosure 5 omitted for better visibility.

[0150] FIG. 7a shows the sectional plane B-B of FIG. 7, wherein the housing 5 is shown. The support structure 17 extends between the individual membrane tubes 1, wherein 19 membrane tubes 1 being shown in this embodiment, which together form the porous structure 60 or filter element. The support structure 17 is also connected to the housing 5 by enclosure rods 17a to further improve the mechanical stability, for example of the pore-size structure 60.

[0151] FIG. 7b shows a further detail of an embodiment of the monolithic component 50 with support structure 17 in sectional view. The 17 membrane tubes 1 shown in this illustration, which together form the membrane filter 60a, are each connected to one another with the adjacent membrane tube 1 by means of the support structure 17.

[0152] Referring to FIG. 8, another embodiment of a monolithic component is shown, wherein the porous structure comprises curved membrane tubes 1. In this embodiment, the membrane tubes are helically shaped, specifically divided into triple helixes 1b. Helically shaped membrane tubes 1 offer the advantage of better substance transfer on the inside when carrier fluid flows through them. In advantage over straight membrane tubes 1, helically shaped membrane tubes 1 exhibit elastic compliance when subjected to loads in the direction of the main axis of the membrane tube bundle or triple helix 1b. Such loading may occur during operation when the temperature of the fluid flowing through the tube changes rapidly. The membrane tube bundle 1a wants to expand according to the temperature, for example, but is prevented from doing so by the still cold enclosure 5 (cf. e.g., FIG. 3). The same applies to rapid temperature decreases. The triple helix 1b or the helical shape in general acts like a helical spring in this case.

[0153] The shape of the membrane tubes shown thus provides a stress-tolerant design that tolerates longitudinal stresses that build up by storing them in a spring-like manner in the triple helix 1b and relaxing them again after the monolithic component 50 has cooled down. Accordingly, this is a stress-tolerant monolithic component 50, for example stress-tolerant regarding longitudinal stress, which can absorb higher stresses, in particular longitudinal stresses caused by temperature differences, before fatigue or even rupture of one or more membrane tubes 1 occurs. Furthermore, the helical structure 1b can also be provided in a stress tolerant manner regarding transverse stress, in which case the membrane tubes 1 have a higher capacity to absorb transverse stresses before fatigue or rupture occurs. This increases the service life and durability of the monolithic components 50, and further simplifies manageability. The membrane filter 60 of this embodiment is constructed of seven triple helixes 1b and thus 21 membrane tubes 1. The membrane tubes open in one piece on their first side into the first end face 2 and on their second side into the second end face 2a. They have the previously described curves 4, 4a to improve mechanical stability and flow guidance for the carrier fluid.

[0154] FIG. 8a shows a membrane tube bundle segment consisting of three helically shaped membrane tubes, which together form the triple helix 1b. In this embodiment, the membrane tubes 1 are designed in such a way that they have an impermeable structure 64 at their front ends and wherein the porous structure 60 is arranged in the central part, which is designed for substance transfer with the shell fluid.

[0155] Referring to FIGS. 9a, 9b and 9c, another embodiment of a diaphragm tube 28a is shown which is shaped in a meandering or wavy line manner. In this embodiment, the monolithic component 50 is shaped to improve various requirements. For example, the undulating membrane tube 28a can, if necessary, cause mixing of the carrier fluids flowing inside the tube 28a, so that overall substance transfer towards the shell flow is also improved. In other words, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9a, 9b, 9c creates a directionally variable flow direction that can induce vortex formation in the carrier fluid. The meandering or undulating membrane tube 28a can be provided such that the bends of the membrane tube 28a alternate with the bends of an adjacent membrane tube 28a, so that overall there is no increased space requirement despite the undulating design of the membrane tube 28a.

[0156] Moreover, wave-shaped membrane tubes 28a exhibit the same advantages as the previously described helical membrane tube bundle 1b, namely in terms of mechanical damping effect or elastic compliance in the direction of the main extension axis of the membrane tube 28a In other words, this embodiment is also a suitable stress-tolerant design of the monolithic component 50. The wave-shaped membrane tube 28a is shown in a perspective three-dimensional view in FIG. 9a, in a perspective side view in FIG. 9b, and with FIG. 9c in a side sectional view through the wave-shaped membrane tube 28a.

[0157] With reference to FIGS. 10 to 11, further possibilities are shown which can be realized with the present invention in a particularly simple and efficient manner, namely the introduction of variable cross-sectional geometries of diaphragm tubes 1. FIG. 10 shows a sectional view through a diaphragm tube 1 with variable cross-sectional geometry. The diaphragm tube cross-section is varied in the direction of flow. Due to the variable cross-sections in the direction of flow, the flow velocities and flow directions also change with the cross-sections, which leads to better mixing of the flowing carrier fluid.

[0158] FIG. 10a shows a top view of a correspondingly shaped diaphragm tube 1 with variable cross-section, where the section line B-B shows the widest cross-sectional geometry also shown with FIG. 10d, and the section line C-C shows the narrowest cross-sectional geometry also shown with FIG. 10c.

[0159] FIG. 10b shows a top view of an inlet opening 3 of the membrane tube 1, with the plane A-A illustrating the sectional plane of FIG. 10.

[0160] Finally, FIG. 10e shows another perspective view of the diaphragm tube 1 with variable cross-sectional geometry. The narrower cross-section 20 alternates with the wider cross-section 21 in an alternating manner. Impermeable material structures 64 are shown at the two ends, and in the central region the membrane tube 1 is designed as a porous structure 60.

[0161] FIG. 11a shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a diaphragm tube with variable cross-sectional geometry 19. Again, the narrowest cross-section 20 alternates with the widest cross-section 21, the ends are formed as an impermeable structure 64, and the porous structure 60 is formed in the central region for material exchange or substance transfer of the carrier fluid with the shell fluid. The diaphragm tube segment has a variable ellipse cross-section, with the long axis of the ellipse cross-sections alternately oriented in the initial position corresponding to the section B-B shown in FIG. 11d and rotated 90° thereto, as shown in FIG. 11e. A longitudinal section along the section line A-A marked in FIG. 11c is shown in FIG. 11. The changes in the flow directions and thus, depending on the fluid, also the mixing can be more pronounced here than in the circular cross sections.

[0162] It has been shown that even greater mixing of the carrier fluid flowing through can also be achieved by suitable turbulators 29. Installations such as static mixers as turbulators 29 are indeed known in process engineering as such to improve the mixing of a flowing fluid. However, this does not work easily in membrane tubes, at least not permanently. Static mixers cannot be fixed well in conventional diaphragm tubes, or can be fixed at all with third materials, and therefore regularly perform relative movements to the diaphragm surface during operation. The membrane surface is permanently damaged by the resulting friction and it can no longer fulfill its purpose of separation.

[0163] Due to the advantageous process, in which the component is constructed monolithically, it is now possible to form turbulators 29 in one piece with the porous structure 60, so that the described problem of relative movement no longer arises. The individual segments 29a of the turbulators or static mixers are thus an integral component of the porous structure 60, i.e., of the tubular membrane 1, 19, 28. The monolithic composite of turbulators 29 with porous structure 60 as an integrated component eliminates the problem of relative movements, so that membrane damage at this point is reduced or even eliminated and thus permanent operation is reliably ensured. FIG. 12b shows the embodiment of FIG. 12a in perspective view.

[0164] FIG. 12c shows a diaphragm tube 28 with a plurality of turbulators 29 arranged next to each other or one after the other, which are each arranged at an angle to each other, for example each offset by 90° to each other, and thus ensure much greater mixing of the carrier fluid and thus a better substance transfer with the shell fluid. FIG. 12d shows a top view of an inlet 3 of the porous structure 60 in the form of the membrane tube 28, with the line A-A illustrating the sectional plane of FIG. 12c. Finally, FIG. 12e shows another perspective view of the membrane tube 28. The aforementioned or other turbulators 29 can also be monolithically inserted in the other embodiments, for example in the helical membrane tube bundles 1a, 1b, or in the wave-shaped or meandering membrane tubes 28a for intensifying the mixing of the carrier fluid flowing through the membrane tube 1, 28, 28a.

[0165] With reference to FIG. 13, a further embodiment of the monolithic component 50 is shown, wherein the membrane tubes 1 have an additional layer 30 on the side surfaces 9, which is either applied monolithically and thus consists of compatible or identical material to the porous structure 60, or which is applied as a coating 30 after the porous structure has been manufactured. This can be one or more layers 30 on the inner side 9, which have a differing porosity and/or pore-wide distribution.

[0166] This is shown enlarged in FIG. 13a, where the coating 30 is applied to the inner surfaces 9 of the membrane tubes 1. The coating 30 is also extended to the surface of the end plate 2 to further enhance the transition from the membrane tube 1 through the inlet 3 to the end plate 2. The coating can be produced during the additive manufacturing process as a separate track in the layered structure of the filter body.

[0167] These tracks for producing the coating 30 can be laid by a separate print head which deposits, for example, an inorganic mass, for example an unfilled or ceramic- or metal-filled polymeric mass which results in a finer pore structure than in the base body. One or more coatings can also be applied subsequently after firing of the base body and sintered, for example, at a lower temperature, for example in the case of using inorganically filled polymeric masses. In one example, a ceramic coating can be applied to a metallic base body.

[0168] Finally, FIG. 13b shows a top view of face 2, with line A-A representing the section plane of FIG. 13.

[0169] Referring to FIG. 14, an exemplary pile 31 of porous structure 60 obtainable by the method of the present invention is shown. The pile structure 31 has a plurality of pores 32. The resulting pore structure, as shown in FIG. 14, can be produced, for example, with additive manufacturing using the principle of thermal phase separation.

[0170] In principle, this process involves dissolving at least one polymer in a solvent that is poorly soluble at room temperature at an elevated temperature. The composition of the solution is selected—if necessary by adding further additives—so that phase separation takes place during cooling and the polymer solution separates into a polymer-rich phase (membrane matrix) and a polymer-poor phase (pores). The membrane is shaped by continuous extrusion through a ring gap nozzle in the case of tubular membranes or also through a slot nozzle for flat membranes. The dimensions of the membrane that can be obtained depend on the geometry of the nozzle, and can only be varied within narrow limits. Afterwards, the membranes are freed from the auxiliary materials by extraction, then dried and, in further steps, joined with various components to form a filter.

[0171] In a novel process, the aforementioned solution is formed into a membrane using an extrusion printer. In this process, the TiPS solution or base material is fed to the printer nozzle above the segregation temperature and deposited in the form of thin filaments into a desired shape, such as a tubular membrane 1. Phase separation occurs as the TiPS solution cools. The phase separation can be further influenced by providing a non-solvent, such as in particular water vapor or glycerol (N-TiPs).

[0172] Sandwich structures with different pore structures can also be built by depositing TiPS solutions with different compositions.

[0173] In addition, a polymer melt can be extruded at the same pressure to form a non-permeable layer upon cooling. This polymer can be printed to form impermeable housing parts of the filter, such as a filtrate collection tube or filtrate discharge tube, an aeration unit, or even filter heads with connections.

[0174] As an alternative to two-head printing, nozzles with a mixing function for two or more components can also be used. In this case, it is possible to change the composition during the printing process and thus produce areas of different porosity up to impermeable areas with only one head. This is therefore a mixing head.

[0175] A pore structure resulting from such a process is shown in FIG. 14, where the pore structure is essentially determined by the composition of the polymer solution of the base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74. A phase inversion results in a solid matrix 31 of polymer material with, if applicable, ceramic particles enclosed therein. According to the volume fraction of the solvent, cavities 32 are formed, which are typically interconnected. The size and number of the cavities depends on the composition of the polymer solution (polymer portion possibly with ceramic portion or metal portion, solvent portion and/or additives) and the precipitation conditions or the ambient conditions (temperature, medium, etc.).

[0176] The resulting microporous structure 60 is basically suitable as a filter medium for micro- and ultrafiltration. Defined particles cannot be detected in the solid matrix. The solvent can be removed from the finished filter in a separate step or even when the filter is put into operation, thus protecting the filter during transport and installation for a long time, depending on the composition of the solvent. It also reduces clogging of the filter with foreign matter, such as dust.

[0177] Generally, additive manufacturing processes, such as 3D printing, are preferred for the structures of porous structures 60 described herein to produce material systems with intrinsically porous portions. For example, an extrusion process can be used.

[0178] For the membrane filters 60a according to the invention, it is typically the case that the resulting pore structure of the porous material 60 is not to be specified as a predetermined pattern in a control program and thus the production head does not have to generate the specific pore structure at the micrometer level. Rather, the pore structure of the porous material 60 can be generated by the composition of the formulation used, for example, in the extraction process, optionally with subsequent steps to solidify the base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, such as sintering of inorganic, e.g., ceramic, green bodies.

[0179] Melt extrusion of polymer pastes generally results in dense, non-porous structures. The use of formulations in which inorganic or organic fillers or additives for pore formation are added to the pastes provides further options. With a suitable composition, the desired microporous structures are formed when the deposited “beads” are cooled. This structural change, also known as phase inversion, can be controlled by suitable ambient conditions in the installation space for building up the component 50. For example, the process of phase inversion or crosslinking can be influenced by the atmosphere in the build space (temperature/humidity) or UV irradiation.

[0180] In the example of the Multijet Fusion process, for example, a powder bed is used. Sintering is triggered via infrared sources. Using suitable inks, different light absorption rates can be realized in this process depending on the location, resulting in differently dense areas. Additives can be added to these inks, for example polymer nanoparticles, which are embedded during the sintering process and represent additional scope for designing location-dependent pore structures. In other words, in this method, a location-independent radiation source or energy source can be used for thermal post-treatment of the base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, whereby the location-dependent adjustment of the porosity of the base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 is realized by means of the supply of suitable inks.

[0181] In selective laser sintering (SLS) of polymer powders, infiltration is required, depending on the polymer, to produce truly nonporous components. With suitable polymers, e.g., polypropylene, the body can be made porous or impermeable by adjusting the sintering parameters. The degree of porosity can also be adjusted. By adjusting the sintering parameters depending on the location, which may be possible by suitable software adjustments, porous and impermeable areas can be produced in a component 50. For example, non-porous housings 5 and end plates 2, 2a on the one hand and porous structures 60, such as membrane tubes 1, can be monolithically joined in this way. In the area of the membrane filter 60a, even areas of different porosity can be realized. Membranes 60a with a porosity gradient in the direction of the membrane surface or layers of different porosity can be produced. This variation is caused here only by the sintering parameters.

[0182] For inorganic materials such as ceramic or metallic materials, 3D extrusion can be used as a manufacturing process to produce so-called green bodies or precursors for subsequent sintering in a sintering furnace. Another advantage compared to extruded inorganic filter elements is the possibility to make a smaller wall thickness. This results in shorter times in the sintering furnace due to the lower heat storage, which has an advantageous effect on the manufacturing costs.

[0183] Different porosities can be created by different formulations of the inorganic masses. The prerequisite is a multi-head device with an extrusion head for each desired porosity, by means of which the corresponding inorganic paste, e.g., metallic or ceramic paste, is deposited at the intended location. In other words, the setting of the porosity in this example is realized by the respective head of the device depositing a respective base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 and monolithically bonding it to the rest of the component 50.

[0184] Referring now to FIG. 15, a further formation of a heap 31a is shown with pores 32a. Such a configuration of the heap 31a can be achieved, for example, by means of the production of polymeric membranes in a sintering process, in which polymeric particles are sintered together by the action of heat. In this process, the sintering conditions are adjusted so that the polymer particles combine but still retain their particle shape to a certain extent. Thus, the resulting pore structure is essentially determined by the polymer particles, for example by their shape and size. The polymer particles are thereby bonded together by the sintering process, with cavities 32a being formed between the polymer particles, which are typically bonded together and form a coherent cavity 32a. The size of the cavities is thereby dependent on the size of the polymer particles. The microporous structure thus formed is basically suitable as a filter medium for microfiltration and ultrafiltration. The pore size desired in each case can be adjusted by suitable selection of the particle size, with the particles being larger than the pores.

[0185] Referring to FIG. 16, a pile 31b is shown which is still obtainable by a further manufacturing method, wherein the pile comprises inorganic particles, for example metallic or ceramic particles, which form cavities 32b between the particles. For example, to manufacture inorganic membranes 60a, a green body (precursor) can first be prepared from an inorganic paste. For example, the paste consists essentially of ceramic or metallic particles, organic binders and additives. After drying or solidification of the paste, the green body is obtained, which is formed into a microporous inorganic body 60 in a subsequent firing step, depending on the composition of the paste. The resulting pore structure, as shown in FIG. 16, is mainly determined by the inorganic particles. The inorganic particles of the pile 31b, e.g., ceramic particles and/or metal particles, are bonded together by the sintering process, but retain their particle shape to a certain extent. Cavities 32b exist between the inorganic particles, which are advantageously connected to each other to form a common cavity. The size of the cavities depends on the size and shape of the inorganic particles. The organic components of the base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 decompose at the high firing temperatures. The microporous structure thus formed is basically suitable as a filter medium for microfiltration and ultrafiltration. The pore size desired in each case can be set by suitable selection of the particle size, with the particles being larger than the pores.

[0186] The microporous structure thus formed, possibly with a high inorganic content, e.g., in the form of ceramic particles and/or metal particles, represents the green body for the subsequent firing process, for example as part of a manufacturing process according to or analogous to the TiPS process. The microporous structure 60 changes only slightly as a result of the firing process and is basically suitable as a filter medium for microfiltration and ultrafiltration. Defined particles cannot be detected in the solid matrix, or possibly detectable inorganic particles of the heap 31, 31a, 31b are smaller than the pores formed.

[0187] A sintering or baking of the green bodies can be carried out at 1600° C. or more, for example. A filling ratio of the inorganic particles in the pile 31, 31a, 31b in the polymeric phase can be between 50 to 70%. At such mixing ratios, it is advantageous to use dynamic mixers.

[0188] Alternatively, the resulting microporous structure 60 without inorganic fillers, e.g., without ceramic or metallic fillers, can be used without further firing. In this case, it is advantageous to remove the leachable components to complete the filter.

[0189] With reference to FIG. 17, the sequence of the process for manufacturing a component 50 is shown in schematic diagrammatic representation. In the providing step 100, the porous or porosable base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 is provided. Base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 can be provided, for example, in a non-exhaustive manner, as powdered base material 71, as liquid base material 72, as solid base material 73 or as pasty base material 74. The base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 is thereby intrinsically porous adjusted, adjustable or prepared. The base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 can thereby be provided in various ways. For example, providing 100 the base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 comprises stocking 102 an extruder device with base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74. The step of providing 100 may also comprise placing or preparing 104 powdered base material 71, for example by means of a depositing device 80. The step of providing 100 may also comprise mixing 106 the base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 or heating 108 the base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74. Thus, providing 100 comprises possibly preparing the base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, for example at a specific point, further for example a point of a point matrix of the monolithic component 50 to be manufactured, for a subsequent material application. Thus, providing 100 may also comprise approaching the point to be approached by means of the application device, if the application device has to be moved and/or adjusted accordingly for this purpose. The step of providing 100 may also comprise preparing a radiation source for subsequent activation or heating of the point to be approached.

[0190] After preparation, the setting 110 of the porosity of the porous or porosable base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 for the material application to be carried out is carried out. The adjustment can also be carried out in various ways. For example, admixing 112 of additive or filler to the base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 to adjust the porosity at the moment of material application may be included. Further, adjusting curing parameters 114 may be included to adjust the porous or porosable base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 with respect to porosity at step 110.

[0191] The step of adjusting 110 may also comprise selecting 116 a source material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 to be applied from a plurality of at least two source materials 70, 71, 72, 73, 74. The selection may also result in a mix if the base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 comprises two base materials 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 that may be fed simultaneously or alternately to produce a mix of materials at the point of the point-target matrix to be approached.

[0192] A location-dependent radiation intensity can be provided according to step 118, thereby adjusting the porosity of the base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 in step 110. Thus, with step 118, based on the point of the point-target matrix selected or to be approached, a radiation intensity stored, for example, in a table can be retrieved and supplied to the radiation source for output.

[0193] The step of adjusting 110 may also include adjusting 119 the light absorbance of the base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 in a location-dependent manner. This may be the location-dependent supply of ink when, for example, the component build-up is performed using a location-independent radiation source. The objective of the adjustment step 110 is that the porous or porosable base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 is designed or prepared during the material application in such a way that it can form a coherent porous material structure in the component, which can preferably be variably adjusted in terms of porosity at the respective point of the point-target matrix to be approached, in order to build up a porous material structure 60 on the one hand, but also impermeable regions 64 monolithically formed therewith. Ideally, this can be carried out in a common process sequence in such a way that the monolithic component 50 is produced continuously in one piece, preferably without interruption. Depending on the process used, this can also be done in steps, with appropriate pauses between steps, should this be necessary for the process. Finally, the manufactured monolithic component 50 is characterized by the fact that there is a material-locking connection between all components of the monolithic component 50 in such a way that the component appears to be grown from one piece, so that the areas that are prepared for a flow passage are already formed during construction or the manufacture of the monolithic component 50 are produced in such a way that these areas allow the flow of current; on the other hand, that the impermeable areas, which are precisely intended to prevent a flow of current, as well as the enclosure, are already set to be correspondingly impermeable during the manufacture of the monolithic component. Particularly preferably, the entire monolithic component 50 consists of mutually compatible material or of the same base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, to which various filler materials or additives may be added.

[0194] The adjusted base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 is applied at the point to be approached in step 120. The application can have different characteristics. Depending on the monolithic component 50 to be produced, this can be the dispensing of set base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 by means of an application machine according to step 122. Such an application machine is, for example, an extruder. It may also comprise a supplementary depositing of powdered base material 71 according to step 124 at the point to be approached, if this is not completely feasible with step 104. Applying 126, for example manually applying a paste, may also be included in the applying 120 step. The application 120 results in base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 being applied to the monolithic component 50 in such a way that areas with impermeable material structure on the one hand and areas with porous material structure on the other hand are formed, the areas with porous material structure also being further subdivisible into areas with different porosity.

[0195] Finally, in step 130, applying 120, adjusting 110 and, if necessary, sub-steps therefrom are continued until the monolithic component 50 is finally completed. Depending on the selected underlying process, steps 110, 120 are carried out repetitively, for example for each point of the point-target matrix, or for each layer of the layer-target matrix, or the base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 is first adjusted in step 110, for example for contiguous areas of the monolithic component, and then approached or applied in the entire step 120.

[0196] FIGS. 18 to 32 show examples of how some of the process steps described above can be carried out. FIG. 18 shows the application 104 of powdered base material 71 to a partially completed monolithic component 50 by means of a depositing device 80. The base material 70 is deposited in step 104 such that, for example, the powdered base material 71 is deposited in a matrix plane 90 in a deposition region 92, whereas no base material 71 is deposited in a region 94.

[0197] FIG. 19 shows an example of heating 108 of solid base material 73 in a heating furnace 81 using heat 81a.

[0198] FIG. 20 shows an example of mixing 112 of base material 70 with additive 75 and/or filler 76 in a mixing device 82. Base material 70 is fed to the mixing vessel 82c in a feed quantity adjustable by means of the quantity regulator 82a; additive 75 and/or filler 76 is also fed to the mixing vessel 82c in a feed quantity separately adjustable by means of the quantity regulator 82b. Possibly, at least one of the quantity controllers 82a, 82b may also be dispensable, depending on the process conditions. The mixing device 82 can also have three feed containers if additive 75 or filler 76 is to be supplied separately. The illustration of FIG. 20 does not differ in the principle form shown if either additive 75 or filler 76 or both are to be mixed together with the base material 70, so that these variants are combined in one FIG. 20 for the sake of brevity.

[0199] The quantity regulator(s) 82a, 82b allow(s) the adjustment 110 of the subsequent porosity of the base material 70 and thus of areas of the monolithic component 50 to be produced. The mixed base material 70a is circulated in the mixing container 82c, for example when liquid base material 72 is used. The mixing container 82c has a starting quantity regulator 82e in the outlet, by means of which the quantity to be applied for the application 120 can be adjusted. For example, FIG. 20 shows for this purpose a punctiform application 120 of the base material 70a to the outlined monolithic component 50, the punctiform application 120 being achievable, for example, by means of opening and closing the output quantity regulator 82e.

[0200] FIG. 21 shows a further embodiment of a depositing device or application machine 80 for applying base material 70 to a component carrier 80b or, if the monolithic component 50 has already been partially applied to the component carrier 80b, to the partially finished monolithic component 50. By means of a feed 80a, for example, a coolant, or also a precipitant or a hardener can be supplied during application 110 and thus curing parameters 114 can be set.

[0201] Still another alternative for setting the porous or porosable base material 70 is shown in FIG. 22 with the provision of two depositing devices 80, 80′. Thus, according to step 116, an already preset base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 can be selected by performing the material application 110 on the component support 80b or the partially applied monolithic component 50 with the corresponding deposition device 80, 80′.

[0202] FIG. 23 illustrates an example of providing 118 a location-dependent radiation intensity for transferring the base material 70 into material bonded to the monolithic component 50. For example, an excitation or activation arrangement 83 includes a radiation source 83a and a deflection or directing device 83b to direct radiation 83c to the target point 50a of the point matrix on the monolithic component 50 or the component support 80b.

[0203] Referring to FIG. 24, the location-dependent adjustment 119 of the light absorption capability of the base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 is by means of a mobile or movable activation device 84. The activation device 84 comprises one or more spray heads 84b. For example, an absorption modifier 77, such as an ink, can be applied to the prepared base material 70 by means of the spray head or heads 84b, not at every point of the component 50 to be produced, but selectively, so that the porosity of the component 50 can be adjusted differently at the points 50a where the absorption modifier 77 is applied than at the points 50a where no absorption modifier 77 is applied. Thus, the light absorption capability of the base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 is adjusted in a location-dependent manner by means of (additional) application of the absorption modifier 77 in step 119, so that a location-dependent porosity can be produced in the component 50 during subsequent irradiation, as also shown, for example, with FIG. 23. The activation device 84 may further comprise one or more radiation source(s) 84a for emitting an activation radiation 84c. Areas previously covered with ink 77 are activated differently compared to areas not covered with ink 77. For example, a region of the component 50 to be manufactured to which absorption modifier 77 has been applied may receive more radiant power 84c from the radiation source 84a, thereby fusing more densely and having lower porosity at the point 50a compared to other regions of the component 50 to which absorption modifier 77 has not been applied.

[0204] FIG. 25 illustrates the application 122 of base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 by means of a depositing device 80 on already partially deposited component 50. The depositing device 80 is designed to be movable horizontally, i.e., in at least two axial directions, so that any point of the component carrier 80b can be approached. A vertical movement, i.e., an up and down movement, is also made possible. Alternatively or cumulatively, the deposit device 80 can be designed to be movable in order to enable movement in all three spatial directions in total, so that each point of the point matrix can be approached with the depositing device 80. A “strand-by-strand” or “bead-by-bead” depositing 122 of base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 is shown.

[0205] Referring to FIG. 26, the annular or helical application 126 of paste-like base material 74 by means of a depositing device 80 is shown.

[0206] With FIG. 27, the firing 132 of a green body is illustrated in the case where the green body is first built up from base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 and is finished as a whole in the firing step 132. In this case, the green body is placed in the heating device 81, for example in a firing chamber, and heated by means of a heat source 81a.

[0207] With reference to FIG. 28, a wash-out step 134 is shown, whereby any auxiliary materials required for the application of the base material 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 or for the production of the component 50 are washed out of the component 50 so that they can be removed. For this purpose, the component 50 is placed in a bath 85 with rinsing solution 85a and rinsed.

[0208] Finally, FIG. 29 shows the removal of any excess powder in step 136 in a flushing chamber 86, for example by means of compressed air.

[0209] It is apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments described above are to be understood as exemplary and that the invention is not limited to these, but can be varied in a variety of ways without departing from the scope of protection of the claims. Furthermore, it is apparent that the features, whether disclosed in the description, the claims, the figures or otherwise, also individually define essential components of the invention, even if they are described together with other features. In all figures, the same reference signs represent the same objects, so that descriptions of objects which may be mentioned in only one or in any case not with respect to all figures can also be transferred to these figures, with respect to which the object is not explicitly described in the description.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0210] 1 Carrier side, membrane tube, filter capillary [0211] 1a Membrane tube bundle [0212] 1b Triple helix [0213] 2, 2a End face, end plate [0214] 3 Diaphragm inlet [0215] 4 Transition or fillet [0216] 4a Flow guidance [0217] 5 Enclosure, housing [0218] 6 Transition [0219] 7 Inlet, outlet [0220] 8 Enveloping fluid inlet or outlet, filtrate connection [0221] 9 Side surface of the diaphragm tube [0222] 10 Shell side, filtrate chamber [0223] 11 Groove [0224] 12 Sealing element [0225] 13 Inlet or outlet piece [0226] 14 Flat sealing element [0227] 15 Clamping ring [0228] 16 Overhang [0229] 17 rod [0230] 17a Housing rod [0231] 19 Diaphragm tube with variable cross section [0232] 20 narrower cross section [0233] 21 Another cross section [0234] 22 Longitudinal section [0235] 23 Elliptical cross section [0236] 24 Initial position [0237] 25 90° rotated [0238] 26 Longitudinal section [0239] 27 Longitudinal section [0240] 28 Tubular diaphragm [0241] 28a Shaft tube diaphragm [0242] 29 Turbulator, static mixer [0243] 29a Turbulator flank [0244] 30 Coating [0245] 31, 31a, 31b Combined pile of the porous structure, typically with inorganic particles or ceramic, metallic or polymeric particles. [0246] 32, 32a, 32b Pore in pile [0247] 50 monolithic component [0248] 50a target point [0249] 52 Carrier fluid manifold [0250] 54 Carrier fluid chamber [0251] 56 shell fluid manifold [0252] 58 Connection collar [0253] 60 Porous structure [0254] 60a Membrane or membrane filter [0255] 62 Separate housing [0256] 64 Impermeable area [0257] 70 Source material [0258] 70a mixed base material [0259] 71 Base material, powdery [0260] 72 Base material, liquid [0261] 73 Base material, solid [0262] 74 Base material, pasty [0263] 75 Additive [0264] 76 Filler [0265] 77 Absorption modifier, ink [0266] 80 Deposition device or application machine [0267] 80′ second deposition device [0268] 80a Feed [0269] 80b Component carrier [0270] 81 Heating device [0271] 81a Heat generation by means of the heating device 84 [0272] 82 Mixing device [0273] 82a Volume regulator Base material [0274] 82b Flow regulator additive/filler [0275] 82c Mixing tank [0276] 82d Rotary mixer [0277] 82e Output quantity controller [0278] 83 Excitation or activation arrangement [0279] 83a Radiation source [0280] 83b Deflection or guiding device [0281] 83c Radiation [0282] 84 Activation device or ink print head, possibly with radiation source [0283] 84a Radiation source [0284] 84b Ink print head or spray device [0285] 84c Radiation [0286] 85 Bath [0287] 85a Rinsing solution [0288] 86 Chamber [0289] 90 Matrix level [0290] 92 Deposition area [0291] 94 another area [0292] 100 Providing step [0293] 102 Stocking step [0294] 104 Placing step [0295] 106 Mixing step [0296] 108 Heating up step [0297] 110 Adjusting step [0298] 112 Mixing step [0299] 114 Setting curing parameters [0300] 116 Selection of source material [0301] 118 Setting the location-dependent radiation intensity [0302] 119 Adjusting the position-dependent light absorption capacity, mixing ink [0303] 120 step of Applying [0304] 122 step of Output or alignment of the application machine [0305] 124 step of depositing powdered base material [0306] 126 step of (Manual) application of base material [0307] 130 step of continuing or ending the manufacturing process [0308] 132 step of burning a green body [0309] 134 step of washing out auxiliary materials [0310] 136 step of removing excess powder