MEMBRANE CONNECTOR TO PROMOTE MASS TRANSFER IN A MEMBRANE AERATED BIOFILM REACTOR (MABR)

Abstract

A membrane fibre bunch for use in a membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MABR), the membrane fibre bunch comprising: a group of membrane fibres arranged as a bunch (4) of vertical or horizontal membrane fibres attached at either end to an gas supply manifold (8) within the housing, with each fibre having a lumen containing a gas phase; and a means for connecting the group of membrane fibres so that the gas can flow within the lumen of the membrane; wherein the group of membrane fibres are maintained in position by a connector or overmold (10), the connector or overmold configured to maintain the group of membrane fibres (2) in a spaced-apart configuration from one another and the cross-section of the connector/overmold being of non-circular shape such as ellipsoidal, star-shape etc.

Claims

1. A membrane fibre bunch for use in a membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MABR), the MABR having a housing, the membrane fibre bunch comprising: a group of membrane fibres arranged in a bunch, with each fibre having a lumen containing a gas phase; and a means for connecting the group of membrane fibres to a manifold so that in use gas can flow within the lumen of the membrane; wherein the membrane fibres in the bunch are arranged together by a connector or overmold, the connector or overmold configured to arrange and maintain the membrane fibres in the bunch in a spaced-apart configuration from one another, wherein an inlet of the connector or overmold has a non-circular profile shape.

2. A membrane fibre bunch as claimed in claim 1 in which the connector or overmold is shaped to funnel the membrane fibres towards the manifold.

3. A membrane fibre bunch as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the non-circular profile shape of the inlet of the connector or overmold is selected from the group consisting of an ellipse, a three-pointed star, a four-pointed star, a five-pointed star, a cross-shape, a chevron or any other shape suitable to provide a more widely distributed and mixed flow across the entire bunch of membrane fibres.

4. A membrane fibre bunch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the membrane fibre bunch is attached at either end to an air supply manifold and a connector or overmold.

5. A membrane fibre bunch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bunch of fibres has an elongated shape, such that the exposed surface area of each membrane fibre is maximised.

6. A membrane fibre bunch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each connector or overmold is configured to be attached to an air supply manifold.

7. A membrane fibre bunch according to claim 6, wherein the or each connector or manifold is attached to the air supply manifold by a push-fit type fitting or affixed directly thereto.

8. A membrane fibre bunch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the membrane fibre bunch is disposed within the housing in the form of a cassette.

9. A membrane fibre bunch according to claim 8, in which the number of membrane fibres bunches in a cassette can be any number selected from 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 100 membrane fibre bunches.

10. A membrane fibre bunch according to claim 9, in which each bunch is separated from another bunch by a separate overmold.

11. A membrane fibre bunch according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the number of membrane fibres in a single bunch can be any number selected from 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 100 membrane fibres.

12. A membrane fibre bunch according to claim 11, in which the fibres in a bunch are parallel and ideally co-extensive.

13. An array comprising a plurality of membrane fibre bunches of any of claims 1 to 12 arranged in sequence.

14. An array according to claim 13 in which the plurality of membrane fibre bunches are in fluid communication with each other.

15. An array according to claim 13 or claim 14 in which each membrane fibre bunch comprises a separate connector or overmold.

16. A cassette comprising a plurality of arrays of claims 13 to 15 arranged side-by-side and attached to an upper and lower air manifold.

17. A cassette according to claim 16, in which the number of membrane fibres bunches in a cassette can be any number selected from 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 100 membrane fibre bunches.

18. A membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) of the type comprising a housing and at least one membrane fibre bunch as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12.

19. A membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) comprising a housing and at least one array according to any one of claims 13 to 15.

20. A membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) comprising a housing and at least one cassette according to any one of claim 17 or 18.

21. A membrane fibre bunch assembly for use in a membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) having a housing, the membrane fibre bunch assembly comprising: at least one group of membrane fibres arranged in a bunch, and a connector or overmold disposed at each end of the membrane fibre bunch and configured to constrain the bunch of fibres in a non-circular profile along a substantial length of the fibres.

22. A membrane fibre bunch assembly as claimed in claim 21 in which the connector or overmold has an inlet having a non-circular profile, an outlet configured for connection to an air supply manifold, and a funnel section disposed intermediate the inlet and outlet configured to funnel the bunch of fibres towards the outlet.

23. A membrane fibre bunch assembly as claimed in claim 22 in which the outlet has a circular profile.

24. A membrane fibre bunch assembly as claimed in any of claims 21 to 23 including a plurality of groups of membrane fibres arranged in a bunch, in which each membrane fibre bunch comprises a connector or overmold disposed at each end of the membrane fibre bunch.

25. A cassette for use in a membrane-aerated biofilm reactor and comprising at least one membrane fibre bunch assembly according to any of claims 1 to 21, and a gas inlet manifold and a gas outlet manifold operatively connected to connector or overmold disposed at each end of the at least one membrane fibre bunch assembly.

26. A membrane-aerated biofilm reactor comprising a membrane fibre bunch assembly of any of claims 1 to 24 or a cassette according to claim 25.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates (A) an elevation view, (B) a side view and (C) a plan view of one embodiment of a bunch of membrane fibres arranged by a semi-rigid/rigid connector or overmold to form an array with a particular profile for use in a membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) device. FIG. 1(D) illustrates a plan view of two adjoining arrays of the claimed invention. The bunches of membrane fibres are arranged into a single array, which can be placed side-by-side with other arrays to form a cassette and distributed flow.

[0044] FIG. 2 illustrates (A) an elevation view, (B) a side view and (C) a plan view of one embodiment of a bunch of fibres arranged by a semi-rigid/rigid connector or overmold to form an array with a particular profile for use in the membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) device. FIG. 2(D) illustrates a plan view two adjoining arrays of the claimed invention. The bunches of membrane fibres are arranged into a single array, which can be placed side-by-side with other arrays to form a cassette and distributed flow.

[0045] FIG. 3 illustrates (A) an elevation view, (B) a side view and (C) a plan view of one embodiment of a bunch of fibres arranged by a semi-rigid/rigid connector or overmold to form an array with a particular profile for use in the membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) device. FIG. 3(D) illustrates a plan view two adjoining arrays of the claimed invention. The bunches of membrane fibres are arranged into a single array, which can be placed side-by-side with other arrays to form a cassette and distributed flow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] The invention relates to a device for treating wastewater liquids, the device is suitable for use a membrane supported biofilm reactor (MSBR) or a Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor (MABR). The device comprising a plurality of membranes arranged into a bunch having a specific profile/configuration, with each membrane consisting of a lumen containing a gas phase, a liquid phase, and a gas permeable membrane providing an interface between the gas and liquid phases; and a means for holding the membranes in a defined configuration to maintain a high exposure of the membrane's exposed surface area and ensure that the membranes are adequately dispersed in the wastewater

[0047] The membrane bunches which are held in the defined configuration are then placed in an array with a gas manifold at either end of the membrane bunches allowing for air/oxygen/hydrogen/methane/carbon dioxide or other gas to be supplied to the membrane lumen and removed from the membrane lumen at the opposite side. The array of bunches along with the manifold (cassette) are then arranged in the housing to maximise the contact between the membranes and the liquid contained in the housing.

[0048] Referring now to the figures, where FIG. 1 illustrates a general embodiment of the device of the present invention. Specifically, FIGS. 1A to 1C illustrate (A) an elevation view, (B) a side view and (C) a plan view of a typical device of the present invention, and is generally referred to by reference numeral 1. The device 1 comprises a group of membrane fibres 2 arranged together as a bunch of vertical membrane fibres 4 attached at either end to an air supply manifold 8. A biofilm is grown and accumulates upon the densely packed bunch of membrane fibres 4. Each membrane fibre 2 has a lumen containing a gas phase. The bunch of membrane fibres 4 are connected and arranged together by a connector or overmold 10. The connector or overmold 10 is configured to arrange and maintain the bunch of membrane fibres 4 in a spaced-apart configuration from one another. This provides the device 1 with a group of membrane fibres 2 that allows the gas to flow within the lumen of each of the membranes 2. The connector or overmold 10 also imparts a unique profile on the bunch of membranes 4, such as the elliptical profile illustrated in FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1 (and FIGS. 2 and 3), the connector or overmold 10 is configured to attach to the air supply manifold 8.

[0049] When a plurality of a bunch of membrane fibres 4 are arranged by a semi-rigid/rigid connector or overmold 10 and placed in sequence, an array 20 is formed. The array 20 now comprises a plurality of membrane fibre bunches 4 with a particular profile imparted to them by the connector or overmold 10. Each bunch of membrane fibres 4 in the array 20 are attached to an upper and lower air manifold 22 to form a cassette 26. FIG. 1(D) illustrates two adjoining cassettes 26 comprising the arrays 20 of the claimed invention.

[0050] The positioning of the membrane fibre bunches 4 in the array 20 provides a well distributed and mixed flow throughout all of the membrane fibre bunches 4 in the array 20. The cassette 26 can be placed and fixed within a housing of a membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) device to form a module.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is illustrated additional embodiments of the device in which parts or steps described with reference to the previous embodiments are assigned the same numerals. In the embodiment, the device 200, 300 comprise a group of membrane fibres 2 arranged together as a bunch of vertical membrane fibres 4 attached at either end to an air supply manifold 8. A biofilm is grown and accumulates upon the densely packed bunch of membrane fibres 4. Each membrane fibre 2 has a lumen containing a gas phase. The bunch of membrane fibres 4 are connected and arranged together by a connector or overmold 101, 102. The connector or overmold 101, 102 is configured to arrange and maintain the bunch of membrane fibres 4 in a spaced-apart configuration from one another. This provides the device 200, 300 with a group of membrane fibres 2 that allows the gas to flow within the lumen of each of the membranes 2. The connector or overmold 101, 102 also imparts a unique profile on the bunch of membranes 4, such as the four-pointed star profile illustrated in FIG. 2 and the three-pointed star profile illustrated in FIG. 3. It should be understood that the profile of the device 1, 101, 102 can be any profile that provides a more widely distributed and mixed flow across the entire bunch of membrane fibres 4, such as a five-pointed star, a cross-shape, a chevron, and the like.

[0052] From a biocatalytic point of view, the more membranes and biofilm in a wastewater treatment housing the better. However, above a certain limit, the accumulation of biofilm can cause severe problems with liquid flow distribution. Therefore, an effective membrane distribution must be maintained. Commercially, the membrane packing density must be increased to provide the most gas transferring membranes per unit of reactor volume. Many of the laboratory scale studies reported to-date in the literature were operated with low membrane packing densities. This current invention describes a device 1, 101, 102 to allow for better distribution of high packing densities of membrane aeration fibres within a membrane aerated biofilm reactor. The current invention also results in effective contact of the liquid waste with all of the membranes 2 in the reactor.

[0053] In the specification the terms comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising or any variation thereof and the terms include, includes, included and including or any variation thereof are considered to be totally interchangeable and they should all be afforded the widest possible interpretation and vice versa.

[0054] The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail.