MEMBRANE SEPARATION APPARATUS

Abstract

A membrane separation apparatus includes: a lower support body that includes a water-to-be-treated introduction port and a concentrated water discharge port; an upper support body that includes a permeated water discharge port; a separation membrane that is provided between the lower support body and the upper support body, and that separates water to be treated into permeated water and concentrated water; and a first sheet-like elastic member that is provided between the separation membrane and the lower support body, and that forms seals between the separation membrane and the lower support body and between the lower support body and the upper support body.

Claims

1. A membrane separation apparatus, comprising: a lower support body comprising a water-to-be-treated introduction port and a concentrated water discharge port; an upper support body comprising a permeated water discharge port; a separation membrane that is provided between the lower support body and the upper support body, and that separates water to be treated into permeated water and concentrated water; a first sheet-like elastic member that is provided between the separation membrane and the lower support body, and that forms a seal between the separation membrane and the lower support body and between the lower support body and the upper support body; and a second sheet-like elastic member that is provided between the upper support body and the separation membrane, and that forms a seal between the upper support body and the lower support body.

2. (canceled)

3. The membrane separation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first sheet-like elastic member and the second sheet-like elastic member are arranged to cover a corner portion of a part of an opening of the lower support body in a sectional view.

4. The membrane separation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lower support body further comprises: a water-to-be-treated introduction portion comprising the water-to-be-treated introduction port and the concentrated water discharge port; a primary side flow channel portion that is arranged between the water-to-be-treated introduction portion and the separation membrane, and that comprises a primary side flow channel, through which the water to be treated that has been supplied from the water-to-be-treated introduction port is supplied to the separation membrane, and through which the concentrated water that has been concentrated by the separation membrane is supplied to the concentrated water discharge port; and a lower support portion that is arranged on a lower part of the water-to-be-treated introduction portion and that supports the water-to-be-treated introduction portion, wherein the water-to-be-treated introduction portion, the primary side flow channel portion, and the lower support portion are layered over one another.

5. The membrane separation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upper support body further comprises: a permeated water discharge portion having comprising the permeated water discharge port; a permeated water flow channel portion that is arranged between the permeated water discharge portion and the separation membrane, and that comprises a permeated water flow channel, through which the permeated water is supplied to the permeated water discharge portion; and an upper support portion that is arranged on the permeated water discharge portion and that supports the permeated water discharge portion wherein the permeated water discharge portion, the permeated water flow channel portion, and the upper support portion are layered over one another.

6. The membrane separation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first sheet-like elastic member contains at least one type of rubber selected from the group consisting of: fluororubber, nitrile butyl rubber, and hydrogenated nitrile rubber.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a membrane separation apparatus according to a first example of one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a lower support portion of the membrane separation apparatus according to the first example of one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a water-to-be-treated introduction portion of the membrane separation apparatus according to the first example of one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a lower flow channel portion of the membrane separation apparatus according to the first example of one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a primary side flow channel portion of the membrane separation apparatus according to the first example of one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of an upper support portion of the membrane separation apparatus according to the first example of one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of a permeated water discharge portion of the membrane separation apparatus according to the first example of one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of a permeated water flow channel portion of the membrane separation apparatus according to the first example of one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a secondary side flow channel portion of the membrane separation apparatus according to the first example of one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view of a membrane separation apparatus according to a second example of one or more embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail, by reference to the appended drawings. Limitation is not made to the respective embodiments below, and implementation may be made by modification as appropriate. Further, the respective embodiments below may be implemented by being combined with each other, as appropriate. Furthermore, any component common to the respective embodiments will be appended with the same reference sign, and redundant description thereof will be avoided.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a membrane separation apparatus according to a first example of one or more embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a membrane separation apparatus 1 according to the first example of one or more embodiments includes: a lower support body 11; an upper support body 12; a separation membrane 13 provided between the lower support body 11 and the upper support body 12; and a sheet-like elastic member 14 that is arranged between the lower support body 11 and the separation membrane 13, and that seals between the separation membrane 13 and the lower support body 11 and between the upper support body 12 and the lower support body 11.

[0026] The lower support body 11 generally has a cuboidal shape formed of plural plate-like members layered over one another, and is formed of a resin material, stainless steel, and the like. The lower support body 11 includes: a lower support portion 111; a water-to-be-treated introduction portion 112 that is provided on this lower support portion 111, and that is provided with a water-to-be-treated introduction port 112a for water to be treated that is subjected to filtration treatment by the separation membrane 13, and a concentrated water discharge port 112b, through which concentrated water that has been concentrated by the separation membrane 13 is discharged; a lower flow channel portion 113 that is provided on this water-to-be-treated introduction portion 112, and that is provided with a water-to-be-treated flow channel 113a, through which the water to be treated is supplied toward the separation membrane 13, and a concentrated water flow channel 113b, through which filtered water that has been filtered by the separation membrane 13 is discharged; and a primary side flow channel portion 114 that is provided between this lower flow channel portion 113 and the separation membrane 13, and that is provided with a primary side flow channel 114a, through which the water to be treated is supplied to the separation membrane 13 and through which the concentrated water that has been concentrated by the separation membrane 13 is discharged. In a space surrounded by the separation membrane 13, the primary side flow channel portion 114, and the lower flow channel portion 113; a spacer 115 that maintains a flow channel for the water to be treated and the concentrated water in the space is arranged. Although an example, in which the lower support body 11 is generally cuboidal, is described in the first example of one or more embodiments, the shape of the lower support body 11 may be modified, as appropriate.

[0027] In the membrane separation apparatus 1 according to the first example of one or more embodiments, by the lower support body 11 being formed of plural members, such as, as described above, the lower support portion 111, the water-to-be-treated introduction portion 112, the lower flow channel portion 113, and the primary side flow channel portion 114; even if, for example, a blockage of the concentrated water discharge port 112b of the water-to-be-treated introduction portion 112 due to generation of scale or the like in the concentrated water discharge port 112b, is caused, just by replacement of at least one of the water-to-be-treated introduction portion 112, the lower flow channel portion 113, and the like, where the blockage is caused, the blockage is able to be resolved, and thus maintainability is improved. Further, even if there is a demand for modification in the configuration of the membrane separation apparatus 1 associated with water quality variation in the water to be treated, just by replacement of the necessary portion/portions of the lower support body 11, the demand is able to be dealt with.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the lower support portion 111 of the membrane separation apparatus 1 according to the first example of one or more embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the lower support portion 111 is formed of a plate like member that is roughly rectangular in a planar view thereof. The lower support portion 111 supports the water-to-be-treated introduction portion 112 from a lower surface side of the membrane separation apparatus 1.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the water-to-be-treated introduction portion 112 of the membrane separation apparatus 1 according to the first example of one or more embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the water-to-be-treated introduction portion 112 is formed of a plate like member that is roughly rectangular in a planar view thereof. The water-to-be-treated introduction port 112a and the concentrated water discharge port 112b of the water-to-be-treated introduction portion 112 are provided as substantially parallel notched portions extending from one end portion of the water-to-be-treated introduction portion 112 to a central portion thereof. By the provision of the water-to-be-treated introduction port 112a and the concentrated water discharge port 112b as described above, water to be treated introduced from the water-to-be-treated introduction port 112a at the one end portion of the water-to-be-treated introduction portion 112 is supplied toward the separation membrane 13, and concentrated water that has been concentrated by the separation membrane 13 is discharged from the one end portion side of the water-to-be-treated introduction portion 112 via the concentrated water discharge port 112b.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of the lower flow channel portion 113 of the membrane separation apparatus 1 according to the first example of one or more embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the lower flow channel portion 113 is formed of a plate like member that is roughly rectangular in a planar view thereof. The water-to-be-treated flow channel 113a and the concentrated water flow channel 113b of the lower flow channel portion 113 are provided as substantially parallel slit like openings at a central portion of the lower flow channel portion 113. Further, the water-to-be-treated flow channel 113a and the concentrated water flow channel 113b are provided to overlap the water-to-be-treated introduction port 112a and the concentrated water discharge port 112b of the water-to-be-treated introduction portion 112, when the water-to-be-treated introduction portion 112 and the lower flow channel portion 113 are layered over each other. By the provision of the water-to-be-treated flow channel 113a and the concentrated water flow channel 113b as described above, the water to be treated supplied from the water-to-be-treated introduction portion 112 is supplied toward the separation membrane 13 via the water-to-be-treated flow channel 113a, and the concentrated water that has been concentrated by the separation membrane 13 is supplied toward the concentrated water discharge port 112b of the water-to-be-treated introduction portion 112 via the concentrated water flow channel 113b.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of the primary side flow channel portion 114 of the membrane separation apparatus 1 according to the first example of one or more embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the primary side flow channel portion 114 is formed of a plate like member that is roughly rectangular in a planar view thereof. The primary side flow channel 114a of the primary side flow channel portion 114 is provided as an opening that is roughly elliptical in a planar view thereof. Further, the primary side flow channel 114a is provided with an area smaller than that of the separation membrane 13 in a planar view thereof. Furthermore, the primary side flow channel 114a is provided to overlap the water-to-be-treated flow channel 113a and the concentrated water flow channel 113b of the lower flow channel portion 113 when the lower flow channel portion 113 and the primary side flow channel portion 114 are layered over each other. By the provision of the primary side flow channel 114a as described above; the water to be treated supplied from the lower flow channel portion 113 is supplied toward the separation membrane 13 via the primary side flow channel 114a, and the concentrated water that has been concentrated by the separation membrane 13 is supplied toward the lower flow channel portion 113 via the primary side flow channel 114a.

[0032] The upper support body 12 generally has a cuboidal shape formed of plural plate-like members layered over one another, and is formed of a resin material, stainless steel, and the like. The upper support body 12 includes: an upper support portion 121; a permeated water discharge portion 122 that is provided on (below in FIG. 1) this upper support portion 121, and that is provided with a permeated water discharge port 122a for permeated water that has been subjected to filtration treatment by the separation membrane 13; a permeated water flow channel portion 123 that is provided on (below in FIG. 1) this permeated water discharge portion 122, and that is provided with permeated water flow channels 123a, through which permeated water is guided toward the permeated water discharge port 122a of the permeated water discharge portion 122 from the separation membrane 13; and a secondary side flow channel portion 124 that is provided between this permeated water flow channel portion 123 and the separation membrane 13, and that is provided with a secondary side flow channel 124a, through which filtered water that has been filtered by the separation membrane 13 is discharged. In a space surrounded by the separation membrane 13, the permeated water flow channel portion 123, and the secondary side flow channel portion 124; a spacer 125 that maintains a flow channel for the permeated water in the space is arranged. By the upper support body 12 being formed of plural members, such as, as described above, the upper support portion 121, the permeated water discharge portion 122, the permeated water flow channel portion 123, and the secondary side flow channel portion 124; even if, for example, a blockage of the permeated water flow channels 123a of the permeated water flow channel portion 123, is caused, just by replacement of only the permeated water discharge portion 122, the permeated water flow channel portion 123, and the like, where the blockage is caused, the blockage is able to be resolved, and thus maintainability is improved. Further, even if there is a demand for modification in the configuration of the membrane separation apparatus 1 associated with water quality variation in the water to be treated, just by replacement of the necessary portion/portions of the upper support body 12, the demand is able to be dealt with.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of the upper support portion 121 of the membrane separation apparatus 1 according to the first example of one or more embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the upper support portion 121 is formed of a plate like member that is roughly rectangular in a planar view thereof. The upper support portion 121 supports the permeated water discharge portion 122 from an upper surface side of the membrane separation apparatus 1.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of the permeated water discharge portion 122 of the membrane separation apparatus 1 according to the first example of one or more embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the permeated water discharge portion 122 is formed of a plate like member that is roughly rectangular in a planar view thereof. The permeated water discharge port 122a of the permeated water discharge portion 122 is provided as a notched portion extending from the other end portion of the permeated water discharge portion 122 to a central portion thereof. By the provision of the permeated water discharge port 122a as described above, permeated water that has permeated the separation membrane 13 is discharged from the other end portion side of the permeated water discharge portion 122 via the permeated water discharge port 122a from the central portion of the permeated water discharge portion 122.

[0035] FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of the permeated water flow channel portion 123 of the membrane separation apparatus 1 according to the first example of one or more embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the permeated water flow channel portion 123 is formed of a plate like member that is roughly rectangular in a planar view thereof. The permeated water flow channel portion 123 has the plural permeated water flow channels 123a roughly collinearly provided therein, from the other end portion side of the permeated water flow channel portion 123 toward a central portion thereof, each of the permeated water flow channels 123a being roughly rectangular in a planar view thereof. Further, the plural permeated water flow channels 123a are provided to overlap the permeated water discharge port 122a of the permeated water discharge portion 122 in a planar view thereof. By the provision of the permeated water flow channels 123a as described above, the permeated water that has permeated the separation membrane 13 and has been supplied to the permeated water flow channel portion 123 via the secondary side flow channel 124a is supplied to the permeated water discharge port 122a of the permeated water discharge portion 122 via the permeated water flow channels 123a. Furthermore, by the division into and the provision of the plural permeated water flow channels 123a, the area of openings in the permeated water flow channel portion 123 by means of the permeated water flow channels 123a is able to be made small. Thereby, even if high pressure is exerted from the lower support body 11 when water to be treated is filtered, since the separation membrane 13 that is warped toward the upper support body 12 by the application of the pressure is supported by the non-opening portion of the permeated water flow channel portion 123, the membrane separation apparatus 1 is able to perform filtration treatment stably.

[0036] FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of the secondary side flow channel portion 124 of the membrane separation apparatus 1 according to the first example of one or more embodiments. The secondary side flow channel portion 124 is formed of a plate like member that is roughly rectangular in a planar view thereof. The secondary side flow channel 124a of the secondary side flow channel portion 124 is provided as an opening that is roughly elliptical in a planar view thereof. Further, the secondary side flow channel 124a is provided with an area smaller than that of the separation membrane 13 in a planar view thereof. Furthermore, the secondary side flow channel 124a is provided to overlap the permeated water flow channels 123a of the permeated water flow channel portion 123 when the permeated water flow channel portion 123 and the secondary side flow channel portion 124 are layered over each other. By the provision of the secondary side flow channel 124a as described above, permeated water permeating from the separation membrane 13 is supplied toward the permeated water flow channels 123a via the secondary side flow channel 124a.

[0037] As the separation membrane 13, for example, a reverse osmosis membrane (RO membrane), an ultrafiltration membrane (UF membrane), a microfiltration membrane (MF membrane), or the like is used. The separation membrane 13 is arranged so that both of end portions thereof are arranged to overlap, in a sectional view thereof, the non-opening portion of the primary side flow channel portion 114 and the non-opening portion of the secondary side flow channel portion 124 therebetween. Through the separation membrane 13: permeated water is obtained by water to be treated permeating the separation membrane 13 and suspended matter and salt in the water to be treated being removed; and concentrated water is obtained by the suspended matter, the salt, and the like in the water to be treated being concentrated. Thickness of the separation membrane 13 is, for example, equal to or larger than 0.05 mm and equal to or smaller than 2 mm.

[0038] The sheet-like elastic member 14 is arranged between the separation membrane 13 and the primary side flow channel portion 114. The sheet-like elastic member 14 is not particularly limited, as long as the sheet-like elastic member 14 is able to be used as a buffer between the separation membrane 13 and the primary side flow channel portion 114. For the sheet-like elastic member 14, for example, any of nitrile butyl rubber, fluororubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, and the like may be used. Of these, in terms of chemical resistance, as the sheet-like elastic member 14, fluororubber and hydrogenated nitrile rubber may be selected. The sheet-like elastic member 14 is arranged to cover both end portions of a lower surface side of the separation membrane 13 in a sectional view thereof. By the arrangement of the sheet-like elastic member 14 as described above, even if the sheet-like elastic member 14 is deteriorated, there is existence as a layer of an elastic member between the separation membrane 13 and the sheet-like elastic member 14, and surface contact between the separation membrane 13 and the lower support body 11 is able to be avoided, and thus the separation membrane 13 is able to be prevented from being damaged. Thickness of the sheet-like elastic member 14 is, for example, equal to or larger than 0.25 mm and equal to or smaller than 0.75 mm, but is not particularly limited.

[0039] As described above, since the sheet-like elastic member 14 seals between the separation membrane 13 and the lower support body 11 and between the lower support body 11 and the upper support body 12, without provision of a groove portion for accommodating a sealing member, the membrane separation apparatus 1 according to one or more embodiments described above enables damage to the separation membrane 13 to be prevented even if the sheet-like elastic member 14 serving as the sealing member is deteriorated.

[0040] Further, in the membrane separation apparatus 1 according to one or more embodiments described above, since the lower support body 11 is formed by the lower support portion 111, the water-to-be-treated introduction portion 112, the lower flow channel portion 113, and the primary side flow channel portion 114 being layered over one another, if a problem is caused in a part of the lower support body 11, just by replacement of the lower support portion 111, the water-to-be-treated introduction portion 112, the lower flow channel portion 113, and the primary side flow channel portion 114 that are being a cause of the problem, the problem in the lower support body 11 is able to be solved, and thus maintainability of the membrane separation apparatus 1 is improved. Further, even if there is a demand for modification in the configuration associated with water quality variation in the water to be treated, just by replacement of the necessary portion/portions, the configuration is able to be modified.

[0041] Further, in the membrane separation apparatus 1 according to one or more embodiments described above, since the upper support body 12 is formed by the upper support portion 121, the permeated water discharge portion 122, the permeated water flow channel portion 123, and the secondary side flow channel portion 124 being layered over one another, if a problem is caused in a part of the upper support body 12, just by replacement of the upper support portion 121, the permeated water discharge portion 122, the permeated water flow channel portion 123, and the secondary side flow channel portion 124 being a cause of the problem, the problem in the upper support body 12 is able to be solved, and thus maintainability of the membrane separation apparatus 1 is improved. Further, even if there is a demand for modification in the configuration associated with water quality variation in the water to be treated, just by replacement of the necessary portion/portions, the configuration is able to be modified.

[0042] In one or more embodiments described above, an example, in which the lower support body 11 has the lower support portion 111, the water-to-be-treated introduction portion 112, the lower flow channel portion 113, and the primary side flow channel portion 114 layered over one another, has been described, but the lower flow channel portion 113 is not necessarily provided therein.

[0043] Next, a second example of one or more embodiments of the present invention will be described. Hereinafter, redundant description will be avoided by description with a focus on differences from the above described first embodiment. Further, description of any components in common with the above described first example of one or more embodiments will be omitted.

[0044] FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view of a membrane separation apparatus 1 according to a second example of one or more embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the membrane separation apparatus 1 according to the second example of one or more embodiments includes, instead of the sheet-like elastic member 14 of the above described membrane separation apparatus 1, a first sheet-like elastic member 21 arranged between the separation membrane 13 and the lower support body 11, and a second sheet-like elastic member 22 arranged between the separation membrane 13 and the upper support body 12. Further, the spacer 115 is arranged in the opening of the primary side flow channel portion 114, and the spacer 125 is arranged in the opening of the secondary side flow channel portion 124. The remaining configuration is the same as that of the membrane separation apparatus 1 according to the above described first example of one or more embodiments, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

[0045] As the first sheet-like elastic member 21, similarly to the sheet-like elastic member 14 according to the above described first example of one or more embodiments, for example, any of nitrile butyl rubber, fluororubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, and the like may be used. The first sheet-like elastic member 21 is arranged to cover a part of the spacer 115 from both end portions of the lower support body 11. Further, the first sheet-like elastic member 21 has an area larger than that of an upper surface of the primary side flow channel portion 114 of the lower support body 11. The spacer 115 is for maintaining a flow channel for water to be treated and concentrated water, and is formed of a resin material, or the like. Furthermore, by the arrangement of the first sheet-like elastic member 21 as described above, contact between: the separation membrane 13; and the spacer 115 in the opening of the primary side flow channel portion 114, and a corner portion 114b of the primary side flow channel portion 114, is able to be prevented, and thus damage to the separation membrane 13 is able to be more efficiently prevented.

[0046] As the second sheet-like elastic member 22, similarly to the sheet-like elastic member 14 according to the above described first example of one or more embodiments, for example, any of nitrile butyl rubber, fluororubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, and the like may be used. The second sheet-like elastic member 22 is arranged to cover a part of the spacer 125 from both end portions of the upper support body 12. Further, the second sheet-like elastic member 22 has an area larger than that of a lower surface of the secondary side flow channel portion 124 of the upper support body 12. The spacer 125 is for maintaining a flow channel for water to be treated and concentrated water, and is formed of a resin material, or the like. By the arrangement of the second sheet-like elastic member 22 as described above, contact between: the separation membrane 13; and the spacer 125 in the opening a of the secondary side flow channel portion 124, and a corner portion 124b of the secondary side flow channel portion 124, is able to be prevented, and thus damage to the separation membrane 13 is able to be more efficiently prevented.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0047] 1, 2 MEMBRANE SEPARATION APPARATUS [0048] 11 LOWER SUPPORT BODY [0049] 111 LOWER SUPPORT PORTION [0050] 112 WATER-TO-BE-TREATED INTRODUCTION PORTION [0051] 112a WATER-TO-BE-TREATED INTRODUCTION PORT [0052] 112b CONCENTRATED WATER DISCHARGE PORT [0053] 113 LOWER FLOW CHANNEL PORTION [0054] 113a WATER-TO-BE-TREATED FLOW CHANNEL [0055] 114 PRIMARY SIDE FLOW CHANNEL PORTION [0056] 114a PRIMARY SIDE FLOW CHANNEL [0057] 114b CORNER PORTION [0058] 115 SPACER [0059] 12 UPPER SUPPORT BODY [0060] 121 UPPER SUPPORT PORTION [0061] 122 PERMEATED WATER DISCHARGE PORTION [0062] 122a PERMEATED WATER DISCHARGE PORT [0063] 123 PERMEATED WATER FLOW CHANNEL PORTION [0064] 123a PERMEATED WATER FLOW CHANNEL [0065] 124 SECONDARY SIDE FLOW CHANNEL PORTION [0066] 124a SECONDARY SIDE FLOW CHANNEL [0067] 124b CORNER PORTION [0068] 125 SPACER [0069] 13 SEPARATION MEMBRANE [0070] 14 SHEET-LIKE ELASTIC MEMBER [0071] 21 FIRST SHEET-LIKE ELASTIC MEMBER [0072] 22 SECOND SHEET-LIKE ELASTIC MEMBER

[0073] Although the disclosure has been described with respect to only a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that various other embodiments may be devised without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.